Have you noticed that fillable lamps are popping up all over the place? (No? Well humor me and pretend that you know they’re super popular again. Thanks.) It’s no wonder, because these empty glass lamps are a totally blank canvas that can be personalized to fit any type of decor, room, season, you name it!
I picked one up at Target for my little guy’s Vintage Aviation Bedroom, and I gave it a super fun look that is perfect for him! Of course I’m going to show you all the details on his airplane-filled lamp, but since it’s unlikely that many of you will want to replicate that particular lamp (I have a hunch that most of you are not three-year-old boys), I’ve also given you a list of THIRTY fillable lamp ideas that are more likely to suit your own tastes! 
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So before we get to some of the fabulous ways you can fill up a lamp, let me show you the one I did for my son’s room really quickly. For this lamp I used some tiny metal airplanes from Dollar Tree, tiny clear 3M Command Hooks, clear packing tape, and Stretch Magic (clear string that’s used for jewelry projects). Oh, and of course my fillable lamp, which I got at Target! (Here are some other options available from Amazon.)
All I did was attach the clear Command Hooks to the inside top of the lamp, tie the clear string around the planes, and then attach them to the hooks. I used the clear packing tape to space the planes out a bit more by taping the string (which was already through the hooks) to points further out on the inside top of the lamp. 
Once everything was in place, I screwed the top back on and added the lampshade, which I stamped with acrylic paint and a rubber stamp! (Side note: I got the lampshade at Goodwill for $1.99. It was unopened and still in its original packaging!)
I think it’s cute how hanging the airplanes makes them look like they’re flying in there! Plus, when my son gets tired of the airplane theme for his room, they’re easy to switch out for something else.
Alright, well in case you’re thinking of adding a fillable lamp to your own decor and don’t want to take the flying airplane route, here’s a list of thirty fillable lamp ideas to get you from empty to amazing in no time!
Natural Items
2. Seashells
3. Greenery (like ferns or palm fronds)
4. Moss
6. Twigs from the yard
7. Wood slices
8. Driftwood
9. Pinecones
10. Acorns
11. Faux fruit
Kids Stuff
12. Legos
13. Wooden alphabet blocks (for a nursery)
14. Matchbox cars
15. Barbie shoes
16. Crayons or markers
Personal Items or Memories
17. Advice cards from a wedding guest book
18. Postcards from places you’ve visited
19. Concert tickets
20. Antique costume jewelry
21. Newborn mementos (new baby hat, onesie, pacifier, first footprint card)
Fun Stuff
22. GLITTER (or maybe just confetti)
23. Polaroid pictures
24. Ornaments (at Christmas)
25. Wine corks
26. Spare change
27. Guitar picks
28. Marbles
29. PomPoms
30. Scrapbook paper or fabric (wrapped around the inside)
Wow – that is a lot of stuff that would make for a fillable lamp with personality! The possibilities are really endless! What would you add to this list?
– Bre
thischickwins says
Very helpful. Is this a Threshold lamp? I just received mine in the mail this morning and was looking for ideas! It will have a fancy paper on the inside for now, but it’ll change soon. Maybe someone would use origami puffy stars for a kid’s lamp.
Bre says
Hello! YES! It is a Threshold lamp! I love the idea of fancy paper in there!! Origami would be SO adorable, too! I hope you love yours! It really is a fun and easy way to add personality to a room! 🙂
Samantha says
I love your airplane lamp! Perfect for a boys room! Such a cool idea! I remember fillable lamps being popular back in the 80’s, but I lived in FL so the only thing I ever saw them filled with were shells. Ha! Love your list of ideas. So fun!
Bre says
Oh my gosh, Samantha – you’re totally right! I feel like every vacation home or condo I stayed in had giant shells in giant fillable lamps! Hahahahaha. Thanks for your sweet note!!
A says
I’m late to the party..LOL
I just bought my lamp today and was looking for ideas of what to put inside. I love your son’s airplane lamps! And most of the other suggestions too. I think I will put faux succulents in mine and maybe some moss.
Bre says
Hello! That sounds like an awesome idea for your lamp!! I love it! I hope it turns out just how you want it. Thanks for stopping by and have a great night!
jeanne says
Thank you for this post! After seeing this I too purchased the threshold lamp from Target. Can you show me what type of harp you are using? I can’t figure out how to get a standard harp onto lamp!
Bre says
Hi, Jeanne! So I am just using a Target lampshade. They have a shade that just kind of slides onto the bulb holding part of the lamp. I am sure that makes no sense at all but I’m not familiar with the proper lingo here! Anyway, if you bought the same lamp I used at Target, any of their shades should work just fine! If you need me to email you a picture, let me know and I will. Hope that helps and thanks!