Ever heard the saying, “You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs?” Well, that’s what this hack makes me think of, except in this case, it’s a broken lamp.
Marleen’s son broke their IKEA FADO lamp, leaving the glass bell jar beyond repair. Instead of tossing everything, she put her creative mind to work. As any respectable IKEA hacker would do, she mused, “The lamp socket was still usable and felt like a waste to throw away.”
The family was currently revamping their son’s room with a fun LEGO theme, so Marleen decided to use the FADO’s light kit to make a cool lamp that matched the room’s new design. She sourced a second-hand LEGO storage head on Facebook Marketplace and turned it into a playful accessory.
What You’ll Need
- IKEA FADO table lamp (excluding the glass bell jar)
- LEGO storage head (size L — 8.5 L)
- Drill
- Small drill bit with a sharp point
- Hole saw/rotary bit (44 mm)
- Elastic hair tie
- Light bulb
- Sandpaper
Creating a Cute LEGO Lamp in a Few Easy Steps
1. Prep the LEGO Head
Remove the lid from the LEGO storage head so you can turn the container upside down and drill through the bottom. Use the small drill bit to make a hole in the center of the container.
Next, use the hole saw or rotary bit to create the hole for the lamp socket. Marleen cautions to go slowly to avoid breaking the plastic — we’ll offer some tips for this below.
2. Install the Lamp Socket
Sand the edges of the plastic, then put the lamp socket through the hole. Marleen used a hair tie to keep the metal clamps together.
3. Let there be light!
Turn your new LEGO lamp upright, slightly bend the clamps, and install a light bulb. Since the head is plastic, stick with an LED bulb so you don’t have to worry about things getting too hot and melting the container. Replace the lid, switch on the light, and win some major brownie points from the LEGO lover in your life.
How much did this hack cost? Approximately $12 for a second-hand LEGO head
How long did this hack take? Only 10 minutes!
What If You Don’t Have a Broken FADO Lamp?
Obviously, not everyone can wait around for their son to break a lamp to create this LEGO hack. So what’s the alternative? IKEA’s FADO lamp is $29.99, so you probably don’t want to buy one if you plan to only use the socket.
You can find sockets with cords for about $10 to $12 online or in home improvement stores. Because the socket is going inside a giant head, get a kit with the switch on the cord (similar to the FADO).
Also, Marleen kept her costs for this project super low because she found a second-hand LEGO container. These cost about $30 to $35 new, so definitely check out the online marketplace first. I took a quick peek and found several options for $20, but hey, you could always test your bargaining skills.
Tips for Drilling Through Plastic
A few helpful tips when you’re drilling through the LEGO head to keep it from cracking
- Place a piece of wood underneath where you drill to add extra support
- Put a piece of painter’s tape or masking tape over the spot where you plan to drill
- Scrape the drill bit on a bar of soap to lubricate the bit
- Use gentle pressure and a low speed
Thanks to Marleen Kuijf for sharing this fun LEGO lamp hack!
Do you have a hack to share? We’d love to see it! Send it our way for a chance to be the next featured project on IKEAHackers.net!
Want even more playful LEGO hacks? Check out this amazing LEGO table, or how about these cute LEGO display shelves?
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