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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Create Your Decor » Easiest DIY “Lamp” Known to Mankind

Easiest DIY “Lamp” Known to Mankind

by Lindsay Ballard on April 11, 2014 11 Comments

bundled cloth cord lamp via MakelyHome.com

When I was working on Emma’s room, I needed to figure out something to go in the space to the right of my grandmother’s antique vanity.  I searched a few stores for something that would work, and while I was at World Market I had a light bulb moment about a DIY lamp.

bundled cloth cord lamp via MakelyHome.com

I bought a red cloth cord swag kit there to create my own light (same cord as I used in my DIY Thrift Store Ice Bucket Pendant Light).  I considered making a lamp to hang from the ceiling.  But when I was playing around with ideas, I came up with something entirely different.

I bundled the cord in a bow shape and tucked the socket end into the center knot to keep it secure.  Then, I hung it on the wall with a nail.

bundled cloth cord lamp via MakelyHome.com

I added an Edison bulb for aesthetics.  Instant “lamp” – but continue reading for the safety warnings below!

bundled cloth cord lamp via MakelyHome.com

I’ll be honest – I’m not 100% certain that it’s okay for the bulb to touch the wall.  I don’t really even turn it on, because I’m worried she may touch the bare bulb and burn her finger.  It’s unplugged, with the plug and outlet behind the vanity, so she wouldn’t be tempted to turn it on unsupervised.  So, my “lamp” is really just for looks…and it looks awesome.

But, if you want to use this lamp as an actual lamp, you should do something to keep it away from the wall.  Perhaps you could hang it from the ceiling.  Or put something behind the socket – like a screw head protruding from the wall – so that the bulb doesn’t touch the wall.  Or maybe you have some other ideas on how to make it work that you can share below in the comments.  If you are going to attempt doing something like this, make sure you read the comments!

Have you ever created a super easy lamp?  Tell me about it!

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

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Comments

  1. beth says

    April 11, 2014 at 7:55 am

    Hi LIndsay…my husband is a fireman so I am always sensitive to situations that could possibly be hazardous. I’m no expert but my concern would be the bulb touching the cord as well. It seems like the hot bulb could eventually burn through that outer cord material and possibly affect the wiring causing a fire hazard.

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      April 11, 2014 at 8:14 am

      Oooh, that’s an excellent point I didn’t even consider, Beth! Okay, so now I’m thinking that if someone wanted to do something like this and be able to turn it on, it should hang off the wall from like a hanging plant bracket or something like that. That actually sounds really cool. Thanks so much for pointing that out!

      Reply
  2. Annie says

    April 11, 2014 at 9:46 am

    What about a decorative shelf bracket? Anthropologie has some great ones: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/search/search.jsp?searchPhrase=bracket

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      April 23, 2014 at 8:32 pm

      Ooooh, those would be awesome!! I haven’t seen those – love them!

      Reply
  3. Rishia says

    April 11, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    DEAR Lindsey, i HAVE MADE many of this exact style lamp, with the nice, never too hot, but AS IS this needs simply the following:
    1. use a simple small, make sure your cord will thread through it easily, PULLEY SET!
    2. use a simple, deco if u like, coat hook to place on wall to extend out both the PULLEY Other ways to do, ask the hardware man at your local small store, find the oldest guy there for advice! They make pulley sets that come with a wall, ceiling anywhere mount! And…these are more than reasonable, and so reusable!

    The Edison light you chose to use of course gives out a warm amber glow, gorgeous!

    I am new, so have not seen your step by step for your girls room….BUT IT IS GORGEOUS!

    So glad I found your site! As will those who follow me on Pinterest…no I am NOT a blogger, YET! When I make that step I will let you know!

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      April 23, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      Smart, Rishia! Thanks so much for the pulley suggestion. I love that! Do let me know know when you join the blogging world!

      Reply
  4. Cindy Lyon says

    April 11, 2014 at 6:23 pm

    I’ll have to look for that cord kit next time I visit World Market. I think my daughter would love one with a colorful paper lantern shade for her room! (btw- ther is an nnoying natural gas ad displaying right over the comment box and I don’t see any way to close or move it.)

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      April 23, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      Oh, thanks for letting me know! I haven’t seen that one, but I’ll keep my eye out for it to figure out where it’s coming from. Sorry about that, Cindy!

      Reply
  5. Leslie @ Oh, the Fun of It says

    April 16, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    This is so cool! What a great idea!

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      April 23, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      Thanks, Leslie!

      Reply
  6. Shelley Riley says

    April 28, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    I love Charley’s room so much (as does everyone that sees it), but this makes me excited for her big girl room when it is time!

    Reply

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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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