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Over Thirty Fillable Lamp Ideas

July 27, 2015 by Bre 11 Comments

Have you noticed that glass 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!  

If you're wondering what to put in a fillable lamp, you need to read this post! It has 30 creative fillable lamp ideas that you don't want to miss! Glass lamp fillers can add such personality to a space, and this post is full of great suggestions.

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Flying Airplane Fillable Lamp Project

So before we get to ideas of what to put in a fillable lamp, let me show you the one I did for my son’s room.  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 base.Stumped on what to put inside your fillable lamp? There are THIRTY awesome ideas in this post, including a tutorial on how to make a flying airplane fillable lamp!

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. Stumped on what to put inside your fillable lamp? There are THIRTY awesome ideas in this post, including a tutorial on how to make a flying airplane fillable 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!)Stumped on what to put inside your fillable lamp? There are THIRTY awesome ideas in this post, including a tutorial on how to make a flying airplane fillable lamp!
Stumped on what to put inside your fillable lamp? There are THIRTY awesome ideas in this post, including a tutorial on how to make a flying airplane fillable lamp!
Stumped on what to put inside your fillable lamp? There are THIRTY awesome ideas in this post, including a tutorial on how to make a flying airplane fillable lamp!
Stumped on what to put inside your fillable lamp? There are THIRTY awesome ideas in this post, including a tutorial on how to make a flying airplane fillable lamp!
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.

Other Glass Lamp Filler Ideas

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 Jar Lamp Filler Items

1.  Rocks or pebbles

2.  Seashells

3.  Greenery (like ferns or palm fronds)

4.  Moss

5.  Decorative rattan balls

6.  Twigs from the yard

7.  Wood slices

8.  Driftwood

9.  Pinecones

10.  Acorns

11.  Faux fruit

Glass Lamp Fillers for Kids

12.  Legos

13.  Wooden alphabet blocks 

14.  Matchbox cars

15.  Barbie shoes

16.  Crayons or markers

Fill Jar Lamps with Personal Items or Mementoes

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)

Random and Fun Glass Jar Lamp Fillers

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

Filed Under: home decor

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. maebh Coyle says

    June 2, 2024 at 11:59 am

    i want to do something with water for my lamp, but cant think of any
    do you have ay suggestions

    Reply
  2. Kim says

    October 23, 2023 at 9:33 am

    My living room is all about movies so what could I fill in my lamps

    Reply
    • Bre says

      October 25, 2023 at 10:00 am

      What about ticket stubs? You can even download and print replicas of tickets!

  3. jeanne says

    August 15, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      August 16, 2017 at 8:04 pm

      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!

  4. A says

    June 5, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Bre says

      June 6, 2016 at 9:04 pm

      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!

  5. Samantha says

    July 30, 2015 at 8:25 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      August 4, 2015 at 4:02 pm

      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!!

  6. thischickwins says

    July 29, 2015 at 11:51 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Bre says

      August 4, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      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! đŸ™‚

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