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9 Of The Best Upcycled Lighting Ideas Using Maps

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Travel is one of my favourite themes for the decor in my home. I love to use vintage maps of places special to me in my interior crafts. A lovely way to use vintage maps is by making upcycled lighting with them.

Here I have curated a round up of 9 of the best map upcycled lighting ideas for the home. These range from simple luminaries made from road maps to fabulous pendant world globe lights. Hopefully, there is a an upcycled lighting idea here to capture your imagination.

Maps are a great way to give character and to personalize your home decor. I use maps to decoupage furniture, hang on the wall and to make lamps and lights with. I have even printed my own map pillows. Old road maps are great to repurpose or you can simply download and print vintage maps from the internet.

Upcycled lighting with maps

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The Upcycled Lighting Ideas

1. IKEA Map Lamp Hack – Pillarboxblue

This is one of my most popular posts and has been featured on many sites and magazines worldwide. Probably because it is such an easy upcycled lighting idea. The two map lamps still hang on my ceilings.

Ikea lamp hack - Decoupage a map onto the inside of an Ikea Rismon lamp to turn it into something special.

2. Vintage Map Lampshade – Pretty Handy Girl

If you prefer your maps on the outside of your lampshades than the inside. Then this is the tutorial for you!

upcycled lighting ideas with maps

3. Scalloped Vintage Map Lampshade – Pillarboxblue

Another upcycled vintage map lampshade but this time a custom made one for a scallop shaped shade. Old road maps where used for this shade. You could make this lamp even more special by using a road map of your favourite place. Even the stand has been upcycled with denim.

Upcycled Vintage denim and road map floor lamp

4. Half Globe Light – DIY Show Off

Create fabulous travel themed upcycle lighting for your home by using an old globe. Half a world globe makes a fabulous ceiling light shade.

Upcycled lighting with a world globe

5. Whole Globe Pendant Light – A Red Ember

Why not use the whole globe to make a really interesting upcycled lamp for your home.

Upcycled lighting ideas whole globe

6. Map Mason Jar Lanterns – DIY Candy

I love a good Mason jar craft. I’ve even made some fabulous Map Mason Jar Banks before. But I never thought of turning them into lanterns until I saw this tutorial.

Upcycled map mason jar lantern

7. Pretty Map Luminary Bags – Pillarboxblue

This upcycled lighting idea is another one of mine. I just can’t get enough of crafting with maps! These luminary bags are made with old road maps. The best bit about this craft though are the remote controlled tea lights.

finished map luminary bags illuminated

8. Upcycled Lighting DIY Map Pendant Lamp – Paisley Sprout

This is another simple but effective idea. Cut out circles from old maps and glue them to a paper lampshade to create a lovely map pendant lamp.

Upcycled map pendant light.

9. DIY Vintage Map Votive Candles – The Knot

These vintage maps votives were originally designed for a travel themed wedding. However, they would look fabulous in any home especially if you use maps of your favourite places.

DIY Map Votive candles

Which map upcycled lighting idea is your favourite?

Don’t forget to check out some of my other upcycled map ideas for the home.

unique map diy and crafts for the home

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. I love old maps! We have a huge one circa 1935 hanging in our living room (hubby’s grandmother’s!), and a globe light (also from grandma). These are great projects. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty

    Reply

  5. There’s just no ways I’d be able to pick a favourite amongst all of these. Such brilliant ideas. Using maps is such a novel way to decorate especially when it shows somewhere special that brings back great memories

    Reply

  6. These are all fabulous! I love the idea of repurposing maps for lighting. I particularly love the first one and the luminaries. Thanks so much for sharing at Sweet Inspiration!

    Reply

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