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β˜… DIY Lamps & Lights | Roundup of Home Decor Craft Projects β˜…

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How to Make Your Own Lights & Lampshades

Lights are an important feature of most rooms in the home, and if you would like to create your very own lamps and lampshades, you will find a huge resource of ideas on this page.

The tutorials below range from the very easy to more technical constructions, with a great range of styles and prices. So if you are DIY minded or perhaps you want to add a personal touch with some unique decor, I hope you will enjoy the craft how-tos I have compiled here :-)

Photo and tutorial by Urban Scarlet via Bliss.

Lamp-Making Craft Books

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Cheese Grater Lamp

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Photo by Pernilla Andersson.

Geeky & Techy Lamps

USB Tiffany Lamp
Miniature Tiffany-style lamp made with a tennis ball.
The Blamp
A blender crossed with a lamp!
Tetris Lights
Wall display in the shape of Tetris blocks.
Industrial Chic Lamp
Cool lamp design made using pipe fittings.
Alien Abduction Lamp
Funny lamp design made with toy cows.
Cheese Grater Lamp
Only very simple items are needed for this make.
DIY Solar Lantern
Nice weekend project to make solar powered light-up lamps.
Pacman Ghost Lamps
Fun way of recycling plastic bottles.
Vintage Camera Nightlight
Awesome idea for a photography fan's room.

Jar Lanterns

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Photo by Whimsy - (click here for a link to the tutorial).

Lamp Making Tutorials

Quirky Hanger Lamp
Easy and cheap project which is very fashionable.
16 Lighting Projects
Including beaded chandeliers and egg carton fairy lights.
Wood Veneer Lampshade
Revamp an ugly lamp with veneer strips.
Lightbulbs & Candles
Recycle bulbs to make a funky candle holder.
Plastic Placemat Chandelier
Cool light made using strands of placemat squares.
Tableware Lamp
DIY tabletop lamp made with teacups and saucers.
DIY Map Lamp
Cover a plain lampshade with a map.
Ice Lanterns
Pretty outdoor decorations for winter.
Book Light
Turn a reading book into a handy bedside lamp.
Paper Flower Lampshade
Colourful and tropical lampshade with floral ruffles all over.

Recycled CD Lamp

Fun light idea for Christmas or even a disco!

Photo and lamp by Jaula De Ardilla.

Drilled Can Lanterns

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Click here for the tutorial for these lamps.

Photo by Potholes and Pantyhose.

DIY Lampshades

Faux Capiz Shell Chandelier
Made by stringing together wax paper circles.
Straw Cluster Chandelier
Who thought drinking straws could look so cool?!
Bushel Basket Lamp
I think this would look fab in a rustic country kitchen.
Bird Cage Light
There are only brief instructions for this quirky lamp.
Loopy Lampshade
Cool design and cheap to make from posterboard.
Drinking Straw Pendant Light
Made from loads and loads of straws grouped together.
Trendy Hanging Lamp
Damask shape Plexiglass light.
Coffee Filter Lampshade
Who would have thought coffee filters could look so elegant?
Ballet Tutu
Cute idea for little girls and ballet enthusiasts.
Vintage Doily Lampshade
Simply stitch doilies together over a wire frame.
Decorative Luminaries
Affordable shade made with metal plates from a DIY store.
Decorative Luminaries
Metal plate shade with vintage paper coverings.

Wire Ball Pendant Light

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Photo by Chris Nguyen.

Lanterns & Creative Candle Holders

Paper Bag Lanterns
With designs cut out of the bags.
Frosted Mason Jars
How to stencil glass jars with frosting spray.
Artichoke Holder
From vegetable to candle holder.
Apple Votive Holders
Natural and temporary holders made from apples.
Lace Candle Holders
Pretty and feminine jars.
Table Lanterns
I used to make these fun lanterns as a kid.
Ice Lanterns
Beautiful Winter decorating.
Medieval Scones
These look like something out of Dracula's castle!
Shoe Stand Candle Holder
Or you could hang the jars around the home or from tree branches.

Hanging Globe Lights

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Photo from Daily Kumo.

Ceiling Light How-Tos

Basket Pendant Light
Inspired by an Anthropologie design.
Plastic Cup Lamp
Cool way to recycle lots of cups.
Glass Bubble Chandelier
Cool looking hanging light made with glass baubles.
Hanging Bauble Light
Beautiful silver and clear statement piece.
Coffee Can Lamp
Very cool lamp idea with an industrial feel.
Vintage Globe Shade
An interesting new use for a vintage globe.
Tree Branch Lights
A nice idea to hang pendant lights or wrap fairy lights around the branch.
Enamel Colander Shade
Very simple to put together and perfect for the kitchen.
Lace Lamp
Arrange lace doilies over a blown-up balloon.
Japanese Lantern
Costs only a few dollars to make.
Ombre Lampshade
Subtle and inexpensive pendant lamp with a colour gradient.
Linear Crystal Chandelier
Simply hang crystals over a long lighting rod for a stunning centrepiece.

Egg Carton Fairy Lights

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Photo by Esther Sanchez EspiΓ±eira.

Ways to Decorate Paper Lanterns

Spherical paper lanterns are cheap lampshades you can buy in plenty of shops such as IKEA and they are usually plain - so the following tutorials show you how you can make them a lot more interesting!
Flowers & Pom-Poms
Two different ideas to embellish the lanterns.
Paper Petal Lanterns
Add tissue paper petals to the plain lampshade.
Letter Lighting
Add cut-out letters to the lantern.
Paper Scrap Light
An inexpensive revamp that anyone can do.
Flower Decorations
Scatter the flowers over the lantern or cover the whole surface.
Wax Paper Petals
Cute and budget friendly.
Mini Bunting
Cute lantern makeover with little fabric garlands.
Ruffle Lamp
Pretty tissue paper ruffles in colorful shades.
Cocktail Umbrellas
Fun idea for mini umbrella decorations.
Fortune Teller Sphere
Brilliant idea for making a faceted globe lampshade.
Sculptural Paper Orbs
An innovative way to use cupcake liners.
CMYK Colours
A cool idea for designer types.

Fairy Light Fishbowl

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Photo by Oksana Morina.

Fairy Light How-Tos

Cherry Blosson Lights
Using a faux or real tree branch and tissue paper.
Ping-Pong Balls
Fun mood lighting made out of ping-pong balls.
Wire Basket Globe
2 hanging plant baskets decorated with fairy lights.
Heart Wall Lamp
Cute heart lamp which would be great for a girl's room.
Marquee Letter Lamp
Foam core board lamp in the shape of a letter.
SparkleBalls
Plastic cup sphere light.
Origami Box Lights
Simple and colourful decorations made by folding paper pieces.
Vellum Flower Lights
Very pretty lights which would look great anywhere.
Illuminated Brooms
Brilliant outdoor decorations, especially for Halloween.
String of Lanterns
Shade each light with painted paper cups.
Mason Jar Ceiling Light
Gorgeous design, perfect for hanging over a table.
Giant Candy Lights
Awesome DIY candy garland for the festive season.

Ruffle Lamp

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Photo and tutorial by Urban Scarlet via Bliss.

Candlesticks & Light-Up Wall Art

Wine Bottle Candlestick
Cut wine bottle tops off to re-use them as candle holders.
Illuminated Canvas
With a sweet 'Good Night' message.
Letter Light
Bring a bit of Broadway showbiz into your home.
Twinkle Board
Spell out any word you like in fairy lights.
Twig City Lantern
Rustic lamp made with tissue paper and twigs.
Concrete Candle Holder
Hold 4 candles in a solid concrete base.
Plumbing Pipe Candlesticks
Industrial style candle holders.
Chair Leg Candlesticks
Recycle old chair legs into grand candle holders.
Clay Candle Holders
Minimalist style and simple to create.
Fairy Lights & Mirror Garlands
Amazing statement wall art which combines fairy lights with sparkly mirrors.
LOVE Canvas
Illuminated canvas art made by using a 'Love' template.
Canvas Sky
Combine a peaceful painting with light.

Paper Lampshades on Glasses

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Photo by Stephanie.

Home Light Projects

Modern Sparkle Display
Pretty light art which looks like a starry sky.
Paper Bag Luminaries
Very effective outdoor lights, perfect for Halloween.
Light-Up Houses
Lovely little felt houses with tealights inside.
The Tubble
A coffee table made with lights, bubbles and a bathtub.
Paper Doily Wreath
A delicate and feminine decoration.
Readymade Projects
Many projects with a trendy, designer style.
Tree Branch Chandelier
Beautiful light for over the dining table.
Fabric Fox Lamp
Interesting technique which can be used to make any shape in fabric.
Driftwood Lamp
A natural style design inspired by a designer version.
Affordable Branch Pendant
Designer style light using a tree branch and clear cable bulbs.
Bathroom Mirror Hack
Cool looking idea for a desk or bedside lamp.
Vintage Tripod Lamp
Perfect for the budding photographer.
DIY Plumbing Lamp
Use plumbing pipe to feed a lamp cord through - easy peasy!

Hanging Coffee Can Lamp

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Photo and lamp by JJ Do.

Candles & More Lights

Wine Glass Lamps
Perfect for outdoor or indoor table decor.
Photo Lanterns
Using semi transparent vellum paper.
Glowing Orbs
Light up spheres for your garden.
Mason Jar Chandelier
Awesome illuminated glass jars.
Solar Mason Jars
Create outdoor lights from these popular glass jars.
Recycled Bottle Skeletons
Create skeleton faces with adhesive tape.
Windsock Garden Lantern
Long tube fabric lantern with light fittings inside.
Cups of Light
Candles in mugs which are then decorated with moss for Easter.
Rope Pendant Lamp
Rustic chic created by weaving thin rope.
Houses By Night
Magical castle and house photos with an electronic candle lighting them up.

Cocktail Umbrella Lamp

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Photo and lamp by 9 Tailed Lychee.

DIY Globe Nightlight

Photo by Here On The Road.

Fun Lighting Projects

Revamping Lampshades
Upgrade your plain lampshades by adding pretty fabric.
Bird's Nest Lampshade
Mesh wire shade with fun birdies attached.
DIY Photo Shade
Personal lampshade with photos printed all over.
Driftwood Candle Holder
Easy concept with a fab rustic style.
Wine Glass Candles
Perfect to decorate tables at weddings and parties.
Wire Candle Holders
Flower shaped wire bases.
Tree Branch Chandelier
Light-up ceiling chandelier with a rustic branch arrangement.
Barrel Hoop Chandelier
Medieval style design with baby food jars.
Wine Glass Chandelier
A bundle of wine glasses are used in this elegant lamp.
Birdie Lamp
Bird cage transformed into a quirky light.

Foam Bloom Lamp

Photo and lamp by Kwei Photography- Click here for the tutorial.

Road Cone Lamp

A great use for old and worn road cones.

Photo by Bartosch Salmanski.

Creative Handmade Lighting

Grapevine Lighting Spheres
Made using either grapevine or wire, these look magical outdoors.

DIY Candle Centrepiece

Dim candle lighting makes a romantic setting for a dinner date.

Photo by Kelly Hicks Design.

Lighting Ideas & Inspiration

Design Sponge
A variety of trendy and crafty lighting projects.
Instructables
Loads of user-generated lighting tutorials.
Recycled Lamp Ideas
Including biro pens, plastic spoons and banana packaging.
Packaging Lights
Cool light designs you can create yourself with recycled packaging.
Martha Stewart Lamps
Lots of ideas and projects from the Queen of crafts.
Shelterness
DIY lamp inspiration and tutorials.
14 Bright Ideas
Including a cool bar cart floor lamp.
Vintage Lampshade Garland
Cool idea you can recreate yourself.
Redesigned Lampshades
Super cool shades made from recycled items.

Craft Videos

DIY Lace Lampshade, Threadbanger
by ThreadBanger | video info

139 ratings | 34,421 views
curated content from YouTube

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Please Leave a Comment!

  • UKGhostwriter May 26, 2012 @ 6:34 pm | delete
    Fantastic lens ..pinned too!
  • allmysonsjacksonville May 21, 2012 @ 2:48 pm | delete
    These are all awesome ideas!
  • Oosquid Apr 21, 2012 @ 1:19 pm | delete
    Love your cheese grater lamp idea. Nice lens.
  • BestLaminateInc Apr 12, 2012 @ 10:31 am | delete
    What great ideas!! I love it! I know what I'm doing this weekend. :)
  • nelchee Mar 5, 2012 @ 5:33 am | delete
    Great resources!
    I always wanted to make lamps but haven't gotten to it yet (I do have some sketches for them). My ex boyfriend made the most amazing electric lamp by painting floral motives on a CD spindle cover and no one could ever guess what it's made of.
  • mommafox Feb 29, 2012 @ 1:47 pm | delete
    Thanks for the inspiration!
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Feb 12, 2012 @ 1:26 pm | delete
    Really creative ideas for lighting. I feel inspired to get crafting. Thanks!
  • KevCooper Feb 4, 2012 @ 2:12 pm | delete
    Some very cool ideas.
  • cffutah Jan 28, 2012 @ 7:46 pm | delete
    Never seen so many handmade lamps before, my favorite is the outside jar hanging on trees. Well done indeed on this.
  • WeddingZazzle Dec 18, 2011 @ 12:01 am | delete
    Great ideas. Blessed by a Squid Angel :)
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