How to make a pendant lamp

Decor, DIY, Lighting

Not sure how or what kind of lights to add to a room in your rental? Consider making your own pendant lamps from recycled materials from your closet and kitchen. This is a do-it-yourself lighting project on a budget that’s perfect for renters and anyone needing to add light to a room. You’ll see how easy it is to make customized pendant lamps that will add that extra touch of style to any room, no electrical wiring needed!

37 Comments

  1. Sharita Smith

    I would like to know how you hanged your homemade pendant lamp. Can you please make a video showing how you did it. Please never stop making your videos because they helped me out a lot because I am always looking for DIY projects. Thanks again for your videos.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      The HEMMA IKEA lamp kit comes with 2 hooks so I used those hooks to hang the pendant lamp – you just have to use the appropriate anchors for the type of ceiling in your apartment. Hope this helps and thank you so much for watching!

      Reply
  2. Mishy

    Thanks so much for this and the “making a drum shade” video tutorial. I found them just in time! In this video you had us cut 2 short pieces of wire 2.75 in long. Just before you started gluing the legs you brought the short pieces out but you never explained what should be done with them. Are they just used to make the remaining foil flaps (the ones the legs are not glued to) sturdy?
    Thanks again and I’m eagerly waiting for some new videos from you!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      You’re welcome and the answer to your question is yes! That’s exactly what the short pieces are for. Thanks so much for watching and yes, stay tuned, I’m working on some new episodes!

      Reply
  3. anjula singh

    Hey isabelle this is anjula from india. N m big of your creativity. Can u give some idea how toh make thrse lampshade frame from waste material which we can easily found at home. Plzz upload some v ideos regarding to this

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Hi Anjula, I’ll see if I can come up with something and thanks for being a big fan!

      Reply
  4. nader

    I liked your ideas ……
    Can we have more??!!

    I am decorating my house and your idea boost me to do more

    thax !!!!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      You’re welcome! It’s really nice to hear that my ideas are helpful 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sharita Smith

    Hi Isabelle,
    I would like to know where did you buy your cord covers because I have been looking for cord covers for my wall just like yours and I haven’t been having any luck please help!!!!!

    Thanks

    Reply
  6. Divya

    Hi Isabelle,
    I too had the same lighting problem and as I was a renter was wondering how to find a solution for this. Your idea was super good. Thanks a million. Looking forward for more videos.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thanks Divya!

      Reply
  7. marcelo

    hi, isabelle
    my is marcelo i do like your being creativeness to do your engineering the space of your home, i’m working in an interior designing company it gives more from your idea to do it in my home. thank you fro sharing it.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Hi Marcelo, I’m really happy to hear that my ideas are helpful! Thank you!

      Reply
  8. ibtxhis

    Hi,
    are you able to show us how you hung it up?
    I will be moving soon, and I wanted to know if you can help show me.
    I am not good with making things at all. And plus, I would like to know
    if I can use the pendant lamp kit for a chandelier. like a mini chandelier.
    Please let me know!!! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      The HEMMA IKEA lamp kit comes with 2 hooks so I used those hooks to hang the pendant lamp (see attached pic) – you just have to use the appropriate anchors for the type of ceiling in your apartment. I think the the light kit could probably work for a mini-chandelier. Hope this helps – thanks for watching!

      Reply
  9. Janice

    Thanks so much for this video this is really helpful i would like to make one using 12″ embroidery hoops.. do you recommend it? and if so, could you kindly give me the measurements as where to bend the wire please? thank you!

    Reply
  10. Judy

    Hi! Thanks for making this video! It’s absolutely perfect for a project that I’ve seen in my head but had no idea how to carry out. I am in the process of purchasing the things I need that I do not already have and I realized that embroidery hoops have a metal piece where the pin connects to tighten it. This wouldn’t allow for a flat surface. What do you do to combat that? Or do you just use 2 hoops. I’m a little confused on this. Any guidance would be appreciated.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Hi Judy, I’m really happy to hear my project is helpful for you! I only use the outer rings of the embroidery hoop to help glue the poster board to the inner embroidery hoop. After the glue is set, I remove the outer ring with the metal piece. You can see how I do this in more detail in this episode: http://www.engineeryourspace.com/episodes/how-to-make-a-drum-shade/
      Let me know how it turns out!
      Isabelle

      Reply
  11. Mai

    WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!! 🙂 I have been doing small DIY projects around the house and am always looking to do more as it’s the little details that make a huge difference. I always have things lying around or extra material from previous projects and I get stumpped trying to find things to do with them. You have provided me with so many ideas and inspired me to do so many more things. You are amazing. Great work and thank you for your ideas and inspiration.

    ALWAYS NYC LOVE,

    Mai 🙂

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      So glad you found me Mai and thank you so much for your kind words 🙂 I really appreciate it and I’m so happy to hear my ideas and projects have been a source of inspiration for you. I would love to see pics of your projects! All the best for 2015 to you and your family!
      Isabelle

      Reply
  12. Marc

    Ive got ALOT of the wood iron on veneer left from making the woven wood sconces. What could I use the extra veneer for? Any suggestions? The sconces turned out very well, once I got the hang of doing it all. Thank you for your time and great ideas. Marc

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Would love to see pics of your lamps! I do have a few ideas involving edging but haven’t had the time to finish any of them yet. I will make sure to share the projects here so you can take a look. You’re welcome Marc!

      Reply
  13. Vijay

    You are amazing!! So much creativity. Hats off to you.
    Keep doing the good work you do. Thanks so much for your inspiration & good luck
    with everything in your life.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you so much Vijay, I really appreciate your message! Thank you for watching and for your support! Isabelle

      Reply
  14. Maria

    Hi!

    I love your pendant lamps! I wonder where you hang the chord? I would love to do this but don’t know how to hang the chord so that it is pretty! And also so that I don’t drill too many holes everywhere, since I am renting.

    Thank you! I love MANY of your projects and am trying to tackle a few of them in my apartment!

    Maria

    Reply
  15. Mindi

    I find all your ideas to be amazing..you make your diy projects look easy. I really like you get right to the project at hand ..bothers me to hear some people youtube videos that take 10-15-20 minutes..your professional and resourceful and I will con”t to view your videos..great content..

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thanks so much Mindi for your kind words! Appreciate it!

      Reply
  16. Ernie

    So glad I’ve found such an impressive site for rental ideas. I live in a small studio so that too is a challenge. Thx for the inspiration. I’ll continue to check in!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you Ernie! Glad I could be of some help!

      Reply
  17. Brenda Bend

    Hi Isabelle,
    special greeting all the way from the beautiful island of Barbados…I’m a student pursuing a course in a NVQB Level 3. One of the programs is Textile and material designs and we were just asked to come up with a design for a lampshade using our Tie-dye and batiks designs….I was surfing when I came upon your site….I got Soooooooo excited and cant wait to get started . We have 4 weeks to design and make soft furnishing and garments.
    Thank-you, thank you for those brilliant ideas. I will be sharing your site with the class.
    Brenda.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Hi Brenda! Thank you so much for your message! I’m so happy to hear that my ideas will serve as a source of inspiration for your projects! Thank you for sharing what I do with your class and I hope you’ll share pics of your projects – I would love to see what you come up with! All the best, Isabelle

      Reply
  18. Mai Moritaka

    For the wireless remote control system, what brand are you using? Can u pls sgare? Ikea is selling the dimmer light switch but im more interested with the wireless remote control.
    I always follow your youtube video and you are so inspiring. Look forward for lots of diy projects.

    Reply
  19. Josehine

    Thank you so much for sharing your talent… I really love your projects… I was just wondering if I could make it a little smaller or did you made it an 8″ circle for a purpose? maybe for electrical issues? Coz I bought a triple pendant cord set to replace my dining area ceiling light and wanted to put up a pendant light with 3 medium size square shape shade, any suggestions? I attached a similar pendant light that I wanted. I would appreciate it if you can spare some of your easy ideas. Thank you again.

    sincerely,
    Josephine

    Reply
    • Isabelle LaRue

      Hi Josephine, You’re welcome and thank you! Yes, I used 8″ embroidery hoops to give enough space between the light bulb and the shade for any heat to dissipate (and I still recommend only using LED bulbs with this project because they give off less heat than incandescent bulbs). Let me think about the square shade idea and I’ll see what I can come up with! Thanks for watching 🙂 Isabelle

      Reply
  20. Nicolle Whalen

    Hi! I love this but I wanted to see how did you attach the lamps to the ceiling? I have two bedrooms with no ceiling lights but I want to hang something pretty… pls help

    Reply

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