Ever wonder why your space feels a little…flat, even after redecorating it with that fancy tuxedo couch & velvet rugs? Spoiler alert: it’s probably your lighting, especially DIY lighting!
Good lighting can obviously take your home from basic to beautiful in a snap, no doubt! But before you run out and buy fancy lamps, let’s talk DIY. From twinkling string lights to mood-setting candles, I’m here to share 5 super easy, super budget-friendly DIY lighting ideas. Ready to light up your life, one string light at a time? Let’s go!
PSST!! We’ve added relevant affiliate links to products we wholeheartedly endorse from the UK market🎤. Shop through them to support us without spending an extra cent💰. It’s like helping a friend move, but way easier🤘🏽!
Shop Homemory 12-Pack Flameless LED Battery Operated Tea Lights Candles
Top Insights
Can You Curate Custom DIY Lighting Ideas at Home?
Yes, you can obviously curate your own custom DIY lighting at home! Just grab some basic tools like pliers, glue, and bolts & use them to assemble your pallets & baskets into cool, creative lamps.
But that’s not all! Here are 5 more designer-approved DIY Lighting ideas that even beginners can craft:
1. DIY Lighting Ideas by Transforming Old Chandeliers
Now, I know that chandeliers aren’t really a thing these days; they feel kinda old-school and out of style. Sure, vintage vibes are trending, but chandeliers still seem stuck in the past. So, upcycling your old furniture and chandeliers can really brighten up your space & add a homely, ethnic vibe to it!
You can do this by replacing the outdated shades and chains for some trendy pendant ones. Plus, simply stick in some crystals and jewels to give your DIY chandelier a fun vibe.
And you know what? This fun, DIY project saves so much money! It’s also a good activity to engage kids. Like they can still help you with the base coats & cleaning, if not the whole upcycling.
Here are four expert-curated steps to help you curate your DIY lighting from old, upcycled chandeliers easily:
- First, clean the chandelier well to remove dust, dirt, and any old paint or finish. Besides, take a look at the frame for any damage and fix it up with silicone or welding.
- Now, decide on a new finish, like whether you want to paint, decoupage, metallize or stain the chandelier.
- Check that all the electrical stuff is safe and up to date. Replace any old or broken parts. Once done, install new light bulbs or LEDs as per the desired lumens & wattage.
- Spruce up your upcycled chandelier by throwing in some crystals, beads, or tassels. Finally, secure it from a ceiling hook & voilà! Your DIY lighting chandelier is ready!
Quick Tip: Pair the upcycled chandelier with smaller table lamps or wall scones to balance the lighting scheme inside.
2. Repurpose Your Old Jars Rightly
You can easily make your own DIY lighting fixtures by using old glass jars. Basically, they’re a fun way to save some cash, cut down on waste, and add a cozy vibe to your home. Simply collect some jars over time, and you can create a lovely look in your living room or bedroom. Trust me, there are tons of creative ways to use those jars!
For instance, you can hang some of these on a ring below your ceiling and pop in a bulb for brightness. Similarly, you can even paint the jar, wrap it in some fabric, or use lace to make it a fun decor piece that shows off your style.
Quick Tip: Always select jars with a wide mouth & a translucent glass finish to achieve a diffused, glowing effect in no time.
3. DIY Lighting With LED Lights
Why stick with boring bulbs when you can get creative with your own DIY lighting? Fairy lights, for example, are a fun way to light up a room and bring some charm. Simply drape them across your bedroom ceiling for a cozy vibe that regular lights just can’t match.
Similarly, you can also use them to highlight your trees, plants, furniture & other architectural elements instantly! You can also use a dimmer to adjust the brightness & ensure a cozy, diffused glow like typical Scandinavian decor ideas.
And well, did I mention that these will save your electricity bill too? Well yes! Regular LEDs can cut down your bill by 25-40%, plus they need less maintenance and repairs. So yeah, it’s a total win-win situation!
Quick Tip: Arrange your string lights in funky patterns like diamond, zigzag, wave or linear to make them stand out better.
Control Your Lighting Like a Pro!
Grab a dimmer switch from our affiliate link, set the perfect atmosphere, and support us at no extra cost!
4. DIY Lighting with Homemade Candles?
One of the easiest ways to curate custom DIY lighting at home is to make your own candles. That too with your favorite colors, scents & essential oils!
Plus, you can totally complete these up in tons of styles—like wax candle baskets, tealights, stand-alone candles, and even cute mini ones! Trust me, they’ll bring a warm, cozy vibe to your place and help you chill out in no time.
Moreover, DIY candles are really easy to make! And here are some easy steps that’ll help you in doing so:
-
Gather all your materials & supplies: You’ll need some wax, wicks, containers, a double boiler, and a thermometer.
-
Then, clean & dry your containers thoroughly. And if you’re using glass ones, consider adding some stickers, ribbons or glitter paper to hide the raw wax.
-
Now, trim the wicks to your desired length. Just make sure they touch the bottom of your container rightly. Secure it using a wick tab or glue.
-
Now, place your wax in a double boiler & melt it until it’s all nice & smooth.
-
Finally, pour all the wax in your desired containers, allow it to cool down & set it overnight! Voilà! Your DIY lighting candle is all set to rock your table decor!
Quick Tip: Trim the wicks of your candles to about a quarter inch once you’re done making them. This helps keep the smoke down.
5. DIY Lighting with Ceiling Patterns
Adding LED lights to your ceiling and playing around with patterns can really amp up the vibe in your room while letting in just the right amount of light. Plus, you totally have the freedom to choose any ceiling design, accessories & skylights you want to!
Like, stick to basic squares, lines or exposed surfaces if you are into minimalism, or go with maximalist patterns & shapes if you prefer the later. You can also choose a completely bare wood or stone veneer ceiling aesthetic if you love the Scandi vibe!
Moreover, you can also totally jazz up your ceiling with some hidden LED lights. It’ll simply seem like the lights are just part of the ceiling, giving your place a super unique vibe in no time!
Quick Tip: Install lights at various heights for a cool layered look and to keep the glare down. Similarly, opt for energy-efficient LED or solar lights to reduce resource use.
FAQs
DIY lighting fixtures offer several benefits, including cost savings, creative freedom, and personalization. Like, by making your own fixtures, you can choose the shape, material, color, finish, literally everything as per your personal choices!
Creating DIY lighting is usually 40-70% cheaper since you don’t have to pay any of the professional & technician fees. Plus, getting the tools and materials to make your own stuff often costs less than buying something off the shelf. And don’t forget, you can also upcycle old things – baskets, chandeliers, etc. into your DIY lighting designs!
Glass, fabric & wood are literally the best DIY lighting materials because you can tweak them anyhow. But, if you’re looking to save energy, switch to LED lights – they have a smaller carbon footprint and use up to 80% less energy than regular bulbs.
Conclusion
Optimizing your ambient lights and making your own DIY lighting fixtures can really boost your home’s vibe, as we saw above. Eventually, it’s not just about looks; the right lights also make you feel better, both physically and mentally. So, get creative and upcycle all your chandeliers, candles, LEDs & mason jars right away!
And if you’re worried about making those custom lighting fixtures on your own, don’t stress! There are ways to make it easier. Plant hire, for instance, is a great option to help with home construction, as well as interior and exterior home design.
Content Tone, Voice & Images Edited By: The Archwhispers Editorial Team
Own a Piece of Artisanry: Shop Cute Sunflowers for your Cottagecore Chic!
Ps. You won’t find these treasures anywhere else.
Daniel Wood
Daniel Wood is a dedicated interior designer and writer. Daniel has devoted a lot of time to interior design, exterior design and home decor since earning his degree in journalism from his time in university.
