Turn an Old Colander Into a Charming DIY Light Fixture

By Stefan Gheorghe

| Published on Mar 11, 2026

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If you have an old metal colander sitting unused in a kitchen cabinet, it can easily become a surprisingly stylish lighting fixture. With a few basic electrical parts and minimal tools, that simple kitchen tool can transform into a pendant lamp that throws delicate light patterns across the room.

The perforated design that normally drains pasta turns out to be perfect for lighting. When a bulb shines through the holes, the light scatters across the walls and ceiling, creating a soft decorative effect that feels warm and handmade.

This project works well above a small dining table, in a reading corner, on a patio, or even in a rustic kitchen. It requires very few materials and can be completed in under an hour.

What you need for the project

To turn a colander into a light fixture, you only need a few basic supplies.

Materials:

Metal colander
Light socket with cord
LED light bulb
Ceiling hook or pendant light kit
Drill (optional if the hole already exists)

Optional items:

Spray paint for color
Decorative chain
Rubber grommet for a clean cable opening

Choose a metal colander rather than plastic, since metal handles heat better and looks more like a proper light shade.

How to turn a colander into a light fixture

Start by cleaning the colander with soap and water. If it has been sitting in storage, remove any grease or residue so the surface is ready for the next steps.

If you want a custom look, you can spray paint the colander. Matte black, copper, brass, or pastel colors work well for lighting fixtures. Allow the paint to fully dry before assembling the lamp.

Next, prepare the hole where the electrical cord will pass through. Many colanders already have a small hole in the base that works perfectly. If not, drill a hole in the center just large enough for the lamp cord.

Thread the cord through the hole from the outside toward the inside of the colander. Attach the light socket according to the instructions provided with your pendant light kit.

Once the socket is secured, screw in the light bulb. LED bulbs are the safest choice because they produce far less heat than traditional bulbs.

How to hang the colander lamp

There are several ways to install the finished fixture depending on where you want to use it.

Simple hanging pendant – Attach the cord to a ceiling hook and let the colander hang like a pendant lamp.
Chain-mounted fixture – Use small chains attached to the handles of the colander to create a more decorative hanging light.
Table or desk light – Instead of hanging it, you can mount the colander upside down on a base to create a small table lamp.

Once the light is turned on, the holes in the colander create dotted patterns across nearby walls and ceilings. This effect makes the fixture feel much more artistic than its humble kitchen origins.

Why this DIY light works so well

Colanders already have a design that lighting designers try to replicate. The evenly spaced holes allow light to escape in a soft, patterned way while still directing most of the light downward.

Because of this, the lamp works well for: