If you can’t find the right pendant light shade, a serving bowl might be just the answer you’re looking for. When you use a bowl to create your own shade, you open up many unique design possibilities.
Stylish Shades. To get the look, you’ll need to drill a hole through the bottom of the bowl to accommodate a pendant light fixture. The bowls shown here are just a few of the stylish options that are available. Click through the slideshow to see some of the interesting pendant shades that we created using bowls.
Ceramic bowls can take you in all kinds of style directions, from traditional to bright and upbeat. To drill safely in materials such as ceramic or glass, use a diamond-grit hole saw (inset), and lubricate the surface with cutting oil. A drill press will keep the bit running straight and smooth.
You can find glass bowls that feature many shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. This green option would add a modern accent to a kitchen or lounge. Just take precautions when drilling glass, as shown on the previous slide.
Wood bowls look great as pendant light shades, and they are easy to drill through using a hole saw. The look of wood often evokes a more traditional or rustic feel, but this light could work in a modern space, too.
When it comes to bold patterns and bright colors for the budget-minded buyer, plastic bowls fill the bill. Plastic is also very easy to drill, and the shades are safe as long as they’re paired with a compact-fluorescent or LED bulb that stays cool.
