Introduction: DIY Nightlight Shade

By Eureka! Factory
About: At the Eureka! Factory, we love making things, and thinking about things, and learning about things, and enjoy helping empower others to a curiosity driven life, too, so we can all live and learn in meaningful…

For some reason, we seem to have a lot of nightlight bases filling utility (i.e. junk) drawers. They were either stand alone nightlights when the kids were little, or the tops have been lost. But there they are. Most of the ones we tested seemed to work fine - they just need a cover.

Found another use for those plastic cups! (see also InstaCool Cup)

Step 1: Materials

You'll need:

  • A nightlight base
  • Nightlight bulb - 4 watt
  • opaque plastic cup
  • Cutting tool (scissors shown but you might want to try some different tools)

Step 2: Cut Off-set Hole Into Cup Bottom

You'll need to cut a hole out of the bottom of you cup, to insert your nightlight base. Don't center your circle or your plastic cup nightlight shade won't fit up against the wall. Check your nightlight base for proper dimensions.

I tried a few different things, but rotating a rasp made the cleanest hole in the plastic.

Step 3: Insert Nightlight Base

Check for fit and insert your base, making sure the outside edge of your cut doesn't exceed outer edge of the plug base.

Step 4: Insert Lightbulb

Screw in the little nightlight bulb, and you're all set!

Step 5: Plug in and Enjoy the Light!

Voila! New life for an old nightlight and an otherwise disposable cup. You can also invite the kids to use markers and stickers to decorate the cup for some added customization.

Enjoy!