Some ideas for Making a Lamp

If you found a project particularly inspiring please email me.

added 8/31/07

GreenBean Workshop made this unique lamp out of an old boom box.
She says: "I took the guts out and painted it white (what else). I used the speakers for feet which you can't see very well in the pic."

Lamps can be made from almost anything. Here are some pictures of different items turned into unique lamps.

In my search for home made lamps, I have found everything from the truly beautiful, the the absolutely bizarre. Instructions for many of these lamps can be found by clicking the picture. Enjoy, and if you found a project particularly inspiring please email me.

Safety

I'd like to say a quick word about safety. Please use common sense when doing any of these projects. Use Caution with saws and power tools. Remember to wear gloves and eye protection. We want you to enjoy years of junking and crafting, so please play it safe.

I was recently fortunate enough to find a whole bunch of wooden cigar boxes at a garage sale. I was able to make these two lamps, and I still have a lot of boxes left over.

More Cigar Box Lamps here, here, and here,

And here is something else that could be done with a bunch of Cigar Boxes,

I made this lamp from an old wooden Tri-pod

This Lamp was made from leftover wood from another project

I saw these lamps at the Canton Flea Market, Proves that you can make a lamp from anything.

A Word about lamp wiring kits

Wiring up a lamp is not difficult. Most home stores have kits available for around $10.00. I've purchsed kits at both Home Depot and Lowe's and I prefer the ones from Home Depot, for several reasons. Most kits do not come with the threaded rod you will need to insert down the center of whatever lamp you make. These rods are usually located near the kits and are about $5.00. Be sure to pick one up and save yourself another trip later. Home depot also sells lamp kits for converting bottles into lamps. I have not seen these kits at Lowe's. I've not checked craft stores but I'm sure they sell the kits as well. Enjoy

New Here is a great video tutorial on making lamps New

Fellow Lamp Maker, Tina adds this bit of information:
"I see you mentioned in your lamp design, you buy the socket kit at the hardware store.Im not sure what you pay for them. Out here they range from $5.85 to 15.00 depending on size ect. I pick up used lamps for .50 cents to 3.00 at garage sales church sales and just re-use the socket and stuff and then find creative ideas with the rest. Tina"

Thanks Tina for this helpful hint, remember to check the wiring to be sure it is in good condition, before re-using it. Wiring a lamp

Reader Contributions

Debapaka made a sewing machine lamp

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Greenbean workshop made this old toaster into a lamp

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Clydene sent in this lamp picture

Would you believe this used to be a piano leg

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Gayle Tells how she totally re-vamped this Garage Sale Lamp, "Started with an old $1 chandelier from a yard sale - I dismantled it - and spray painted the arms. Used wood, and an aluminum ruler for the base and made a new light fixture for my bathroom when it was redecorated."

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Brittany dog mom made this lamp from a 'Chinese Wedding basket that she bought at Bombay House.

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Toots made this from an old bottle

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Toots Made this non-electric one, from an old chandie...

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This lamp was made from a Teacup and Saucer by kylesgram

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This idea came from kudzukween from Ivillage Garen Junk forum. OK it's not a lamp, but it used to be.

Teacup/lamp birdfeeder

Here are her instructions: "The tea cup birdfeeder was made from a cheap old chandelier, the arms used to hang down, I simply twisted the arms facing up and took out all the wiring. It won't matter,as long as it's flat enough to glue the saucer to it. I didn't sand it or do anything to it, but you might want to, this one was rusty,and I spray painted it white knowing rust would come back through which was the look I was going for. I looked for pretty cups and saucers at yard sales and thrift stores til I got 5 sets, for the 5 arms on this particular chandelier, they don't need to match. So pretty much scrounge up an old lamp, spray paint it, use silicone to glue the saucers to the lamp, glue the cups to the saucers, add some birdseed and hang it up. You could use any lamp that will work for you, mine had a chain already on it."

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These 2 lamps have a romantic feel.

This lamp was made by JennT, Read how she did it here.

This pink one was made by Skyler, and was made from a glass candy dish. "I just removed the dish and added the lighting fixtures. I found the shade at the flea market."

How to pick a lamp shade

The rule of thumb is that the shade should be the shape of the base. If the base is square or rectangle you should get a square or rectangle shade, if it's round or oval you should look for a round shade. The shade should be 2/3 the height of the base and 1/2" wider than the base on each side. It should be large enough to hide the socket and switch. This is a rule of thumb, the best thing to do is to take your lamp with you and try shades on for size. When you find the right one, you'll know it.