We Turned 3 IKEA Everyday Items Into Huge Holiday Ornaments

By  Trisha Sprouse Updated
Black, green, and gold lanterns with white table and black vase Trisha Sprouse for Hunker

Deck your halls with this IKEA holiday hack that turns three lamp pendants into oversized ornaments. Glossy spray paint adds some glitz while gold leaf turns up the glam. We opted for classic black and gold with a pop of deep moody green for an of-the-moment twist, and then we strung them up with black velvet ribbon for an ultra-luxe look. Hang them over a table, in a window, lit or unlit — they'll add a festive sparkle to any space.

NOTE: Two of the original products seen in this DIY are no longer available, so we have updated the Things You'll Need list below with two new lamp shades (Risbyn and Strala).

Things Needed

GreenTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Step 1

Assemble the IKEA lamp shades according to the package's instructions.

White paper lanterns of different shapesTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Step 2

Lay down a tarp or long piece of paper and spray paint the lamp shades in your desired color palette (we used black, gold, and green). Be sure to paint in a well-ventilated area. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.

Hand spray painting lantern green with gold and black lanternsTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Step 3

Once dry, paint a thin, light coat of metallic leaf adhesive onto the lamp shade in the areas where you'd like to add gold leaf. It's best to work in small sections at a time.

Paint brush applying adhesive on large green lanternTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Step 4

Let the metal leaf adhesive dry for a few minutes until it gets slightly tacky, and then use tweezers to carefully place flakes of gold leaf onto the adhesive.

Hand applying gold leaf with tweezers on green lanternTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Step 5

Allow the adhesive to dry completely, and then use a clean, dry paintbrush to brush off any excess gold leaf flakes. (Save the excess flakes to use for another project.)

Hand with paint brush applying gold leaf on green lanternTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Step 6

Cut out four 3-inch-by-12-inch strips of gold cardstock, and then use a scalloped edge template to create a scalloped edge along one side of each strip.

Sheets of gold paper next to gold scissorsTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Step 7

Hot glue the ends of the strip together to form a ring that will act as the top of the ornament. Then hot glue a piece of gold wire inside to create a loop for hanging the ornament.

Note: The opening on the REGOLIT lamp shade is wider than the other two lamp shades, so you'll need to tape two strips together to form one long strip, and then trim it to size to form the top of the ornament.

Scalloped gold paper with gold wire and scotch tapeTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Step 8

Hot glue the tip of each scallop to the top of the ornament for a secure connection.

Green lantern with scalopped gold paper and gold wireTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Step 9

Cut varying lengths of black velvet ribbon, tie them to the loops on the ornaments, and then hang the ornaments with ceiling hooks.

BlackTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

We love how a simple hack can make such a dramatic statement for the holiday season.

BlackTrisha Sprouse for Hunker

Recommended