Weekend Projects: 5 Ways to Make a DIY Floor Lamp

Are you in search of a one-of-a-kind DIY floor lamp with great style that won't break the bank? Then check out these bright ideas!

By Tracy Anderson | Published Jan 3, 2014 12:21 PM

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When it comes to lighting, form and function are equally important. You want your fixtures to let you see what you’re doing, but you also want them to enhance your room decor. In the kitchen or bath, overhead or wall-mounted lights usually fit the bill. But in living spaces, floor lamps are often most suitable, particularly next to chairs and sofas. The trouble is that for anyone on a budget, floor lamps can be prohibitively expensive. That’s why these DIY floor lamp options are so welcome: You save money and you get exactly what you want, a custom solution that perfectly corresponds to all of your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.

 

1. COPPER TOP

DIY Floor Lamp - Copper Top

Photo: fun.kyti.me

It’s hard to believe this gorgeous, expensive-looking DIY floor lamp cost only about $5 to make. The trick was to install a new lampshade (cardboard and metallic paper) on a sturdy metal stand (look for one at your local thrift store). For a uniform look, spray-paint in one hue or, alternatively, go for a two-tone treatment.

 

2. GLOWING GLASS

DIY Floor Lamp - Glass

Photo: rockybella.blogspot.com

Clear glass lamps are all the rage, in part because of their chameleon-like ability to look at home in virtually any setting. Unfortunately, their minimalist look often comes with a maximalist price tag. But for a fraction of the retail cost, using only basic tools and materials, you can easily build a DIY floor lamp in a similar style.

 

3. NATURAL BEACON

DIY Floor Lamp - Lantern

Photo: hgtv.com

Reclaimed wood and a vintage lantern combine in this rustic DIY floor lamp, perfect for a seaside cabin or mountain retreat. Spray-paint the wood stand or the metal lantern separately, or paint the entire assembly. Or, if you prefer, leave both elements unfinished, just as you found them. Visit HGTV for all the DIY details.

 

4. PICTURE PERFECT

DIY Floor Lamp - Tripod

Photo: dreambookdesign.com

Sometimes a flea-market purchase can become a statement piece—case in point, this tripod-turned-DIY-floor-lamp from Dream Book Design. Stain or paint the tripod to match or complement the rest of the room, then complete the job with a lamp kit (available at any hardware store), drill/driver, and some washers and nuts.

 

5. LITERARY GENIUS

DIY Floor Lamp - Repurposed Books

Photo: shelterness.com

Looking for something to place beside a comfortable reading chair? The answer might very well be a DIY floor lamp festooned with old hardcovers. There’s not much to it: You drill a hole through a stack of books and then fit them over a simple stick lamp. Check out the Live Well Network for the full step-by-step guide.