This Genius DIY Transforms a Stained Glass Light Fixture into a Hanging Flower Basket

Published on July 12, 2025

Whether you’re into thrifting or are just interested in finding a good way to repurpose something you’re no longer loving in your home, this upcycle hack might be for you. Content creator Carleigh Bodrug (@plantyou on TikTok) shared a brilliant way to repurpose an old stained glass pendant light without much effort. Her video showed Bodrug taking an old pendant light, fashioned with white and beige stained glass, and transforming it into a unique outdoor hanging basket, perfect for catching the light with its ornate pattern.

While there’s no denying these types of lights look beautiful when used for their original purpose, not everyone’s homes are suited for this type of vintage style. Instead, repurposing the light while keeping it unaltered extends the item’s longevity and allows it to share its beauty in another setting. Read on to learn how you can recreate this DIY at home and other possible ways to repurpose an unused light fixture.

How to Make Your Own Pendant Planter

As seen in the video, Bodrug first lines the inside of her upside-down pendant with a round coco liner, then attaches a delicate chain for hanging the pendant around and across the bottom of the fixture—no permanent alterations required. Once the chain is attached and secure, Bodrug fills the pendant with a hanging outdoor arrangement and places it outside. It's now ready to enjoy all summer long!

While everyone loved how beautifully this upcycled planter turned out, a few commenters warned that it might not last for long, as delicate stained glass could crack under intense sunlight. Other commenters recommended placing a smaller plant pot inside the stained glass fixture, making it easy to remove for daily watering and helping protect the glass from excess moisture.

Alternative Ways to Use a Stained Glass Pendant

In addition to the warnings and tips for the outdoor hanging basket idea, a few other commenters proposed alternative solutions for using the fixture in a way that might be less damaging to the stained glass. One suggested using faux flowers inside the pendant rather than real ones, as this would remove the need for potentially damaging dirt and water. This is best suited for an indoor arrangement, where your stained glass can be kept out of the sun and rain.

Another creative idea many commenters proposed was using the stained glass fixture as a fruit bowl. However, this isn’t a great idea in all cases. Many stained glass fixtures, especially those that are vintage, are made using lead. This makes them unsafe for holding food. You could, however, place a smaller container inside the fixture to hold the fruit, preventing the stained glass from coming in contact with food.

Whether you decide to use a stained glass pendant for holding faux flowers, fruit, potpourri, or other items, you should consider lining it thoroughly first. This can protect the glass from scrapes, dirt, excess moisture, and other harmful factors. A simple cardboard or cloth liner should be enough in most cases.