DIY Modern Floor Lamp

Yay! It’s that time again when I team up with Upcycled Treasures, Brave New Home, The Gathered Home, Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body and Delineate your Dwelling to provide you with AMAZING tutorials each month inspired by our favorite stores. Hence the title. If you missed out on last month’s store, Anthropologie, hit up this post to check the projects out. You won’t be disappointed!

So, you can see from the image that we have amazing projects this month. This month was DIYs inspired by Land of Nod. I chose to make a DIY Modern Floor Lamp. I love it and know you will as well!

This was my inspiration:

via Land of Nod

Coming in at $150, it’s a pretty good price for a floor lamp. But, as my DIY’ers know, if there’s a will there’s a way. Ha. For me, I’m not afraid to splurge on an item that I really want and need, but for items that I just want (instead of need), I feel like the DIY route is the perfect way to go! I came up with a pretty good #knockoutknockoff of this and for a fraction of the original cost. My total came to under $25!

Step 1: Gather Supplies and Tools

 You will need:

– 5 ft conduit

– Old can light (found via Habitat Restore)

– JB Weld

– Washer

-Candelabra socket

– Wood base (will talk more about this in a bit)

– Plug-in lamp cord

– Corner Conduit Bracket

Tools needed:

– Drill

– Pipe Bender

-Pliers

Step 2: Prep the Can light

  Detach the outer ring from the can light. My light had matching holes on each side from where the ring was attached.

Fill the holes (I used spackle but there is probably something better to use) and let dry.

Lightly sand once dry.

Step 3: Bend Pipe and Drill hole for cord

I eyeballed the distance from the end of the pipe to where I thought I wanted my bend to be. It was, roughly, about 10 inches. Place the pipe in your pipe bender and bend back.

Once I had the pipe bent, I knew I needed to have a hole drilled in the side of the pipe for the lamp cord to come out of. I clamped the pipe down and then drilled the hole out with a bit (using a smaller bit first and then one large enough to accommodate the lamp cord).

Step 4: Prep (or Make) your Base

I lucked out with the base. My Dad had cut a ton of tree slices for my sisters wedding a few weeks back and I scooped quite a few of them up for projects. So, I used one of those for my base

Using the same size bit that matches the diameter of your conduit, drill in where you want your lamp pole to be. Don’t go all the way through, but go far enough that the pole is going to stick in well.

*If you don’t have a tree slice laying around, you could use any thicker piece of wood or even layer a few pieces and then finish off the edges.

Step 5: Thread your Cord

Push your cord in through the hole you drilled out and keep pushing until it comes out the top.

After your cord is threaded through, put your corner brace on the top of your pipe (the section where it curves).

Step 6: Light Assembly

 Select a washer that fits right on the end of the socket but is big enough to cover the inside hole of the can light. Mix the components of JB Weld and apply to the washer. Attach the washer to the end of the socket.

Once that dries to touch (6 mins), use more JB Weld and put it on the corner brace.

Attach the washer/socket to this section.

Step 7: Finish off Light Part

Using more JB Weld, attach the can light to the washer.

I don’t have a finished picture of this step, but basically you slip the socket through the back of the can light and hold the can on the washer for the 6 mins that it takes the JB Weld to set.

Step 8: Attach the Base and Paint

Using JB Weld again, coat the inside of your base with it and insert the pipe. Clamp it ’till it cures.

That’s it. I listed quite a few steps out, but really this is a start-to-finish project in about an hour! Can’t beat that.

I wasn’t sure how the corner bracket would look, but I think it looks just fine.

We desperately needed something in that corner by the chair and I think the light is a perfect little fit.

Would you consider DIYing a light? It’s not as hard as some would make it out to be!

Make sure to check-out the other 5 AMAZING DIY’s Inspired by Land of Nod.

Delineate Your Dwelling – Painted Lampshade

Designer Trapped – Wall Art

Upcycled Treasures – Owl Nightlight

The Gathered Home – Flag Banner

Brave New Home – Initial Pillow

 

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