Plastic Straw Light Fixture DIY - Yes, Plastic Straws!

Ashleigh Sommer
by Ashleigh Sommer
7 Materials
$6
30 Minutes
Easy

I have a plain light fixture in my closet and decided to give it a cheap upgrade. I grabbed some plastic straws from Walmart, some cardboard I had laying around, spray paint, some hot glue and made myself a fun light fixture!


For this project I only needed to purchase the plastic straws so I only spent around $6!

Before + After! I love the way this turned out! I didn't want to spend a lot of money, so I was creative and resourceful with what I had to make this quick little update.

Materials Needed

-Not pictured 2-3 command strips to attach to the ceiling.

This is the existing light fixture.

Step One - Make Template


I used a tape measure to see the distance across the light fixture and went off of that. I added 1 inch to attach the straws onto. If I were to make this again, I would probably go 1/2 inch just so it doesn't show so much.

Step Two - Cut Out


I used scissors and a razor blade to cut out the center circle as well.

After cutting the cardboard out, I brought it back to the light fixture to made sure it fit.

Step Three - Paint


The existing light fixture was silver. I chose to paint the straws gold, so I wanted it to match. I taped the light fixture off and spray painted it.


NOTE - I am fully aware that I could have taken the light fixture down to paint, I was simply being lazy and in my opinion this was the quicker option to just tape and paint it while it was hung.

Step Four - Attach Staws To Cardboard


This was very simple. I used my hot glue gun and added the straws. I did a variation of different lengths. I cut before I glued.

Step Five - Add Command Strips + Hang


I decided to hang it with the card board showing, but you could hang either way. I just used the velcro like command strips to hang.

I'm pleased with the way this turned out. It was a very inexpensive way to spruce up my closet!

Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 13 questions
  • LeeAnn Lindsey LeeAnn Lindsey on Feb 12, 2022

    Is there an easier way to paint straws?

  • Mary Mary on Feb 12, 2022

    at what point did you spray paint the straws? And how did you keep them from flying away when you spray painted them?

  • Mgwouden Mgwouden on Feb 13, 2022

    Won’t the light melt the straws?

Comments
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2 of 82 comments
  • Mary Mary on Dec 30, 2022

    Very clever, good job! I didn't even miss you not telling us we needed to paint the straws. Our brains just must be in sync!

  • LORAINE LORAINE on Sep 06, 2023

    Very nice. Love it!

    I may consider making one but will probably use wood sticks instead.

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