Colored Ikea Borrby Lanterns

Materials: Borrby Lantern

Description: We thought it would be a great fall idea to color the glass in our Ikea Borrby lanterns. Using theatrical lighting gels, available at any theatrical supply shop for pennies, we cut to fit and adhered them with just Windex. Simply squeegee out the excess with a credit card. No need to cut a perfect size either, all the edges are inside the lamp.

So simple and what a difference it makes to the "plain Jane" lanterns.

When we are ready for a change of color, the gels simply peel off.

Maybe we will do red for Christmas.

See more of the customized lanterns.

~ James Angus, Dallas, Texas

Borrby and Lagra Light

Photo: IKEA.com

Materials: Borrby Lantern, Lagra Light, 1/2" Drill bit, Metal Snips and Frost Spray

Description: This is modified from a previous hack.

I didn't have a broken light to start with and the options that I found for the light portion weren't cost effective.

I started with the Borrby Lantern ($7.99 US), and the Lagra Work Lamp ($4.99 US).
The spray paint, I got at Michael's for just under $10, which I will use again on the next one I make)

Remove the glass from the lantern. Then, find the center of the top of the Borrby, and drill a hole through the metal with a 1/2" drill bit.

Find the center of the bottom glass support on the back of the lantern, and snip it completely off (this is how the power cord gets outside of the lantern).

Frost the glass according the paint can directions. I used three coats and put the frosted side on the inside of the lantern because it can be scraped off.

Put the cord through and re-assemble the glass panels on the lantern.

Unscrew the top of the Lagra Work Lamp, and hang it at the top of the lantern, screw it in place.

The Lagra doesn't come with a light bulb, so make sure you buy one at Ikea. E/R 14 or 17.

~ Christien Bumpus, United States

Borrby Lantern lamp from Grono Disaster

Materials: Borrby Lantern, Grono lamp parts

Description: After my dog broke my Grono table lamp, I wanted to get creative and salvage the lamp base. I took a Borrby lantern I had on hand and with a few minor alterations turned it into a great new lamp! Using a 1 1/4" hole saw bit, I drilled through the bottom to pop in the base. Tin snips clipped out a section of the base lip for the cord to slide through (so the lamp would sit flat) and a little frosted glass spray on the panes softened the harsh light. In less than 10 minutes, I had a new, awesome lamp! This could also be done with the cord kit from IKEA, or from a thrift/dollar store lamp with salvaged parts.

See more of the Borrby Lantern lamp.

~ Brooke, Lake Jackson, Texas