2 DIY Retro Lamps That Bring Back 70s Cool

If you love a DIY that looks high-end but takes almost no effort, these modern retro lamps are about to be your next obsession.

With nothing more than a little paint, your hands, and a few IKEA staples, you can whip up bold, quirky table lamps that look straight out of a boutique.

Created by Casa Amibo (@casa_amibo), these hacks turn IKEA KÄLLARHALS vases, BLANDA bowls, and basic light kits into colorful statement pieces—no power tools required.

Ready to make your own? Here’s how.

Create a Cute Modern Retro Lamp in Less Than Five Minutes

What You’ll Need (Lamp One)

IKEA BJÖRKSPIREA LED tube light
BLANDA glass bowl
KÄLLARHALS orange vase
Spray paint

1. Paint the BLANDA bowl

Use a glass-friendly spray paint to paint the BLANDA glass bowl. The hacker found a paint that matched the orange KÄLLARHALS vase pretty much perfectly. It gives the whole lamp a nice, cohesive look, reinforcing the illusion that you purchased the lamp as one piece.

2. Put the Three Pieces Together

Put the IKEA BJÖRKSPIREA LED tube light upside-down inside the vase. Then, place the painted BLANDA bowl on top.

3. Show Off Your New Lamp

Turn on the light and enjoy the warm, soft glow!

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DIY Lamp Number Two Is Just as Easy to Do!

What You’ll Need (Lamp Two)

IKEA SOLVINDEN solar-powered globe light
IKEA KÄLLARHALS yellow vase
IKEA BLANDA BLANK serving bowl
Spray paint

1. Paint the Vase and the Bowl

For this lamp, the hacker decided to paint the IKEA KÄLLARHALS yellow vase and the IKEA BLANDA BLANK serving bowl in a matching pink. You can choose any color you like, leave the vase yellow, whatever you like.

2. Put It All Together

Place the vase upside-down where you want your lamp to go. Put the IKEA SOLVINDEN solar-powered globe light on top of the vase. Then place the bowl upside-down on top of the light.

I was curious, since this light is typically for outdoor use, how well it works inside. However, the SOLVINDEN globe light isn’t available at IKEA US, so that’s something to consider.

You could use the FADO for a similar shape, but it has a cord, so you’re not going to get the same flexibility. Otherwise, you can find similarly-sized LED globe lights on Amazon with color-changing capabilities and other features.

3. Switch Things Up

Want to change things up a bit? Put the BLANDA BLANK bowl right-side up on top of the vase, and set the globe light inside of it. It’s like getting two lamps in one.

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Worth the Cost? That Depends on You!

So there’s no denying that these two lamp hacks are incredibly easy. However, at US prices for the IKEA items alone, you’re looking at about $46 for the first and around $55 to $66 for the second. Add in the paint, and you end up spending more.

Search up cute, retro lamps, and you can find a bunch of options, ready to go, for less than these. But what you don’t get is bragging rights.

Plus, whenever you DIY something, you have an opportunity to put your own spin on it.

Therefore, you get more chances to fit something into your home’s design scheme and create something a bit unique.

Of course, there’s also the consideration that maybe you already have one or two of these pieces because you’re an avid IKEA shopper.

Or you could score some things you need in IKEA’s as-is section or from online marketplaces at second-hand rates.