How can I replace outdated glass chandelier shades?

Bonnie
by Bonnie

Bought this chandelier for only $10 to save money on our rehab but then looked up replacing the ugly shades and it’s not cheap. Anyone have alternative ideas?

  13 answers
  • Dwp7470b Dwp7470b on Nov 14, 2018

    It is a nice piece, Take it from the electrician...

    You don't need antique shades, or even really any shades atall. On something like this you can go with


    A. Globes

    B. Newer Shades

    C. New LED Bluetooth Audio Speaker Bulbs that require no shades atall

    D. the 'Clip on the bulb' fabric shades usually cylinders

    E. Flame LED Bulbs

    F. Other Decorative LED Bulbs


    and those will make a big difference.

    Also if you are into String Art, you can


    G. Use a fireproofing glaze over the String Art (made with Starch on the String over a Balloon) to make your own Globes as long as you use Cool White LED or Flourescent Bulbs.

  • Ellis Ellis on Nov 14, 2018

    Give the shades a chance. The picture doesn't show them very well; Clean them up very carefully with warm dish soap and water, one at a time in a plastic dishpan. While you have the shades off, carefully dust and clean the fixture. When the whole thing is all together, install pretty bulbs and turn the light on. With light glowing in the shades, it will be prettier than you expected. It's a nice chandelier.


    Then, if you still don't like it, you can always get new shades later on.

  • Habitat Re Store is a great place for items like this. Go often as they get new stuff in every day.

  • Kathy Kathy on Nov 14, 2018

    You could use bulb cage as I did on my ceiling fan (see pic). You can spray paint them whatever color you want. They are reasonably priced and available online or at local hardware stores. They gives your lighting fixture an industrial or farmhouse look depending on your decor.

  • Melanie Melanie on Nov 14, 2018

    As Naomie mentioned above, Habitat for Humanity, or any Thrift stores are great places to look. Also depending on the look you are going for you could paint them with glass paint. Almost anything can be transformed into a shade so you may want to do some internet searches also.

  • Mary Mary on Nov 14, 2018

    Goodwill, Salvation Army, Rehab or any thrift store has bunches of shades for lights. Just make sure you get ones that have the same size on the opening. Can also check out DIY stores (Menards, Lowes etc) I believe I have that same light but made it in to a Solar chandelier for outside.

  • Helen Anderson Helen Anderson on Nov 14, 2018

    Why not use mason jars?

  • Roxanna Sullivan Roxanna Sullivan on Nov 14, 2018

    I used the mason jars as mentioned before. I left mine clear but you could easily paint and distress the jars for your desired look.

    • See 4 previous
    • Roxanna Sullivan Roxanna Sullivan on Nov 15, 2018

      Ok reporting on the Mason jars heating up. They do not. I think a small child could touch these and just think "oooh that's warm".

  • Roseann8628 Roseann8628 on Nov 14, 2018

    Hi Bonnie, I'm not sure of the style you're going for, but how cute are these? Available in a four-pack for $19.99 on Amazon. Very "Magnolia" style. There are other styles as well. Search "chandelier cage" on Amazon. :)


    https://www.amazon.com/Kohree-Pendant-Ceiling-Industrial-Adjustable/dp/B07CKPVK9L/ref=asc_df_B07CKPVK9L/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242074984067&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6208505444426898642&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030073&hvtargid=pla-448889890750&psc=1

    • Roseann8628 Roseann8628 on Nov 14, 2018

      I just noticed that you need 5 shades (or light bulb cages) and they're offered in a four-pack on Amazon. They are available singly on OneThousandBulbs.com for $4.44 ea. :)

  • Satindoll Satindoll on Nov 14, 2018

    I gave this exact chandelier to a rehab store except it was a stainless fixture. I just do not like looking up into light bulbs but if that doesn't bother you, I think the mason jars or the cages will look unique and different.....depending on your decor. If you have a stores such as Tuesday Morning, Burlington or Ollies, you may find shades at a low cost if the cages or jars are not your style.




  • Beth Beth on Nov 14, 2018

    I wanted to mention that you can probably turn the arms up rather than down, and just use chandelier bulbs (the ones that are shaped like flames) with no shades, if you want to. Go slow and maybe squirt a little WD40 where the arm meets the center of the chandelier, but they DO turn. I have done this a dozen times. Also, those little clip-on shades are cheap, and you can cover them with fabric or wrapping paper (use 1/2 white glue and 1/2 water mixture to adhere and then seal).

  • Chuckee Notelling Chuckee Notelling on Nov 15, 2018

    There was an article on here about painting those exact kind of shades. They looked amazing and cost pennies. I wish I could point you directly to the proper page but perhaps someone else can?


  • Yolanda cates Yolanda cates on Nov 16, 2018

    you can replace with gloves or shades used for ceiling fans and they come in a range of prices check home depot or online like Amazon or houzz.com