I received compensation from Aleve to write this post. All opinions are entirely my own. #NeverBackDown #Aleve #CollectiveBias #advertisement
I have an in-house handyman. He’s okay being paid with home cooked meals and clean laundry, and doesn’t roll his eyes too much at my DIY project requests. So one can only imagine his groans when he was asked to help me transform two large metal baskets – formerly used for shucking corn – into hanging light fixtures. (I think the title “husband” keeps him from walking off the job in protest!)
And this is where he could be found one weekend, standing high up on a ladder, neck craned toward the ceiling. Poor guy not only had to take down a very traditional (aka: very heavy) crystal chandelier but then figure out how to hang these wacky metal baskets procured from a thrift store. Thank goodness for marriage vows!
I do know that when he undertakes such Weekend Warrior projects, he’ll usually feel it the next day. So along with my cheerleading from my safety of having two feet firmly on the ground, I also have Aleve Back & Muscle Pain* on hand …so we can tackle the next DIY project!
*This post contains affiliate links. A purchase of any of these items helps to support this blog and its creative efforts at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. To read more, please see my disclosure page.
How to Make Metal Baskets into Easy Hanging Light Fixtures
In our home, we aren’t afraid of color, we don’t shy away from being eclectic and we never back away from reflecting who we are. There’s too much life to be had …including hanging baskets upside down from the ceiling!
Supplies:
– Two metal baskets (ours were made of mesh wire)
– IKEA Hemma light kit
– Pliers
– Screwdriver
– Measuring tape
– Light bulbs (to fit the light kit)
how to make hanging lights from thrifted metal baskets
Flip the metal basket over so it’s bottoms up. Use a measuring tape to determine the middle.
Use pliers to cut a small hole in the middle of the basket. Ideally, it should be the width of the lighting kit to fit through.
Sandwich the basket through the light kit.
Determine how the baskets will hang. We opted to hang our baskets upside down.
how to easily hang baskets as ceiling lighting fixtures
My handyman knows enough about wiring to not get himself into too much trouble (or sent to the hospital) but when in doubt, have an electrician help you out.

We keep Aleve on hand for all those neck craning, standing on a ladder Weekend Warrior projects. We #neverbackdown from powering through our days of house projects!


I found Aleve Back & Muscle Pain at my local Walmart in the pain relief aisle. Look for it there …and keep DIY-ing!
How do you #neverbackdown?
Never back down from life!
*Only Aleve offers up to 12 hours of pain relief in just 1 pill. All Day Strong, All Day long. Among leading OTC brands, based on minimum labelled dosing. Use as directed.
Other Upcycled DIY Ideas You May Like:
- Turn a metal plate charger into a DIY chalkboard sign with fabric flowers
- Upcycle a staircase banister into a gallery photo wall
- Upcycle a larger dresser mirror frame into large-scale wall art
- $20 Craigslist mid-century modern coffee table makeover
- $10 vintage suitcase turned into a wall photo display
- Vintage wooden ruler as frame for a message board
- Brass firewood holder made modern magazine rack
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