This is the story of turning an old thrift-store basket into a pendant light using a $10 basket and two simple hardware pieces, plus an inexpensive pendant we found at a lighting outlet.
Here it is all wired and installed in front of the fireplace.
Let me walk you through the basket-to-light conversion.
First we visited a local lighting outlet to see inexpensive pendant lights we could repurpose for our basket. We spotted a beautiful basket-style pendant priced much higher, which inspired us to DIY instead.
We looked for a pendant with a clean canopy, an oil-rubbed-bronze finish, and a simple shade holder so it could be adapted to support our basket. We found a basic pendant for $19 that had the right finish and a screw-on shade holder, which made it a perfect starting point.
Although inexpensive light kits are available elsewhere, this pendant saved us time and extra parts since it already had the desired finish and canopy. Pictured below are all the supplies we used — total cost about $35 including the basket.
The round metal pieces you see are pipe flange plates from the hardware store. We bought two sizes to test which would work as adapters so the pendant could support the basket without slipping through the basket’s opening.
One size was too small and slipped through the basket’s hole, while the larger one wedged into the opening and provided a secure base to support the basket.
We also needed a piece that would catch on the end of the pendant where the original glass shade attached. The smaller flange fit under that part and held securely.
By stacking the larger flange to support the basket and the smaller flange to catch on the pendant, and then securing them with the plastic shade-holding ring that came with the light, the basket became firmly mounted to the fixture.
After tightening everything and testing the fit, the basket pendant lifted into place without issue.
About safety: woven shades and basket lights are safe when the bulb is positioned away from the material and there is ventilation. In our installation the bulb hangs down and doesn’t touch the basket, so heat buildup is not a concern.
We like how clean the underside looks. The hardware we sourced blended well and created a seamless appearance.
To make the process clearer, we recorded a short video of the build. The actual assembly took less than four minutes once all materials were gathered.
We then wired the new pendant in place of a previous flush-mount fixture. The basket pendant complements our oil-rubbed-bronze pendants over the peninsula — the mix of glass and woven natural fibers creates layered texture and ties the space together without being overly matchy.
Installed at nearly seven feet above the floor, it provides plenty of clearance for tall family members and creates a defined focal point above the fireplace zone. I also enjoy seeing it reflected in a mirror across the room, which doubles the visual impact.
Here’s the view through the dining room:
And the view from the cooking area of the kitchen. The basket light’s texture plays nicely with the dark floor and mirror, adding a natural layer against modern surfaces like Corian counters and floating shelves.
For comparison, here’s what the room looked like when we bought the house:
When lit with a clear bulb, the basket casts attractive patterned light. A frosted LED or CFL would produce a softer, more diffuse glow, and we may switch to LED bulbs for energy savings later. For now we used a clear bulb we had on hand.
In total, this basket pendant cost about $35: a $10 thrift-store basket, two $3 pipe flanges, and a $19 pendant from a local outlet. It’s one of our favorite DIY lights we’ve made, alongside a clothespin chandelier and a previous office pendant.
Update #1: After readers mentioned these baskets are sometimes used for fishing in parts of Asia and Africa, a reader shared a photo from Northern Guinea showing the baskets in use at a fishing festival. Seeing that image explained the top hole and its practical function.
Update #2: We’ve since switched our house to LED bulbs for energy savings and longevity. LEDs use far less energy and are a convenient long-term choice.
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