20 DIY Lamp Ideas to Light up Your Decor

Want to revamp an old lamp or maybe even build one from scratch? It's never been easier to tackle a lamp makeover with the amount of inspiration on the internet. We've searched high and low for easy lamp making ideas and DIY lamp projects to get the creative juices flowing.

These homemade lamp ideas cover all sorts of styles and budgets, some of which only require a can of spray paint to complete. The only thing limiting you at this point is your willingness to try something new. Just make sure no matter which project you choose, that you learn a bit about electrical work before you get started.

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Nautical DIY Lamp

The Inspired Room

There are so many DIY lamp ideas that it can be hard to know where to begin. The first thing to do is decide where you want the lamp to go in your home. Then you will be able to determine things like style, scale, and function. This recycled bottle lamp from The Inspired Room is large enough, that it works great as the only lamp on an entry table or console table.

Recycled Bottle Lamp from The Inspired Room
02 of 20

Galvanized Lantern Lamp

Lovely Etc

There are basic light kits on the market that can help you turn pretty much anything into a lamp. With these instructions from Lovely Etc., you can turn a galvanized lantern into a unique lamp. One thing to note on this project, though, is to be sure you pick the right kind of light bulb that can be in an enclosed space. Some bulbs, even LED ones, emit too much heat and can be a fire hazard.

Galvanized Lantern Lamp from Lovely Etc.
03 of 20

Trestle Lamp

Pneumatic Addict

Any beginner woodworker has likely explored the idea of making a DIY lamp base. With designs like this geometric base from Pneumatic Addict, it is actually very easy for non-woodworkers to make a DIY wood lamp. The wonderful thing about this project is that there are very clear and concise plans to follow included in the tutorial.

Tapered Lamp Base from Pneumatic Addict
04 of 20

Vintage Fan Desk Lamp

Designing Wilder

When it comes to making DIY lamps, the biggest limitation is your own creativity. If eclectic vintage style is up your alley, think of all the retro items that could be converted into a lamp. This vintage fan lamp design from Designing Wilder is a great example of how old items can be repurposed for entirely different uses.

Vintage Fan Lamp from Designing Wilder

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05 of 20

Rainbow Floor Lamp

Pillar Box Blue

There are tons of lamp painting ideas out there, and you aren't limited to just one idea. You can paint a DIY floor lamp today and decide a few months down the road that you want to paint it again. As long as you enjoy the main base of the lamp, the colors can change to suit your evolving home. Use this colorful floor lamp project from Pillar Box Blue for inspiration.

Rainbow Floor Lamp from Pillar Box Blue
06 of 20

Designer Lamp

Down Home Inspiration

DIY lamps are often inspired by designer lamps with huge price tags. In this case, it can be much more cost effective and creative to come up with a knock-off version, like this Pottery Barn-knockoff lamp from Down Home Inspiration.

Pottery Barn-Knockoff Lamp from Down Home Inspiration
07 of 20

Music Stand Lamp Base

The Painted Hive

You don't need wood and a saw to make a DIY floor lamp. The Painted Hive shows how an old music stand was repurposed to a floor lamp base. Make sure you keep the lampshade simple and streamlined on this project to make the most of the modern design.

Music Stand Lamp from The Painted Hive
08 of 20

Mason Jar Farmhouse Style Lamp

Chatfield Court

If you want to add more farmhouse style to your home, make a DIY table lamp out of a large mason jar. This DIY jar lamp project from Chatfield Court has all you need to know to make it happen, including a clever trick to hide the wiring—spray paint the lamp with a mercury glass finish. You could also pick another color that would blend in with your existing decor.

Mason Jar Lamp from Chatfield Court

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09 of 20

Distressed Vintage Look

Grace Lee Cottage

There are many ways that bloggers will teach you how to paint a lamp. One of the more time-consuming ways is to give your lamp base a distressed finish. Once you master this technique, you'll be able to turn any lamp in your home into one that is much more rustic and vintage looking. Learn how using this farmhouse lamp project from Grace Lee Cottage.

Distressed Vintage Lamp from Grace Lee Cottage
10 of 20

Matte Black Lamp

The Painted Hive

Old table lamps are often dated and unsightly, especially those we find at thrift stores. This super easy lamp update from The Painted Hive shows how you can give these lamps a simple and inexpensive makeover with a coat of matte black paint. The darker color will work to minimize any weird shapes or designs, which will help make it work in a much more modern space.

Matte Black Lamp from The Painted Hive
11 of 20

Gold Finish Lamp

Gathered in the Kitchen

Brassy gold finishes are trending right now, but they are a different sheen than the brass we see on outdated, old lamps that people often throw out. This tutorial from Gathered in the Kitchen shows how you can update the brass with a rub-on finish that is much more on trend and fresh.

Gold Finish Lamp from Gathered in the Kitchen
12 of 20

Living Lamp Terrarium

The Maven

One creative DIY lamp base idea is to turn the vessel into a terrarium. Just be sure to pick the right type of plants that are able to thrive inside a closed environment. The Maven's DIY terrarium lamp project gives tips on how to use sand, air plants, moss, and a variety of crystals.

Terrarium Lamp from The Family Maven

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Industrial Lamp

Decor and the Dog

Do you want to build a lamp from scratch but are intimidated by the process? This design from Decor and the Dog one of the most straightforward wood lamp base tutorials out there. Even if you don't own a saw, you can still make this lamp. The base of this lamp is made with 2x4s, and most hardware or lumber supply stores will cut the pieces for you as long as you have the measurements.

Industrial Lamp from Decor and the Dog
14 of 20

Eclectic Floor Lamp

Pillar Box Blue

The best floor lamp makeover doesn't take itself too seriously, which is certainly the case with this upcycled piece. This denim lamp transformation from Pillar Box Blue utilized some old jeans and paper maps to give this piece an eclectic boho feel. Consider wrapping an old floor lamp with scrap fabric to replicate this look.

Eclectic Floor Lamp from Pillar Box Blue
15 of 20

Minimalist DIY Lamp

Homemade Makeovers

Most industrial style lamps are simple and incorporate Edison style bulbs. This DIY industrial lamp design from Homemade Makeovers is made using plumbing fixtures that you can find at a local hardware store, and the base is poured concrete. Make sure whatever you opt to put the lamp on is sturdy because this lamp is a heavy one!

Industrial Lamp from Homemade Makeovers
16 of 20

Rustic and Industrial Style Lamp

The Navage Patch

This industrial lamp makeover from The Navage Patch is a bit spooky in part due to the exposed shade. The base is wrapped with a thick manila rope and is versatile enough to go with a wide variety of styles. You don't even need to mess with strong adhesives on this project. This DIYer adhered the rope using a hot glue gun.

Industrial Lamp from The Navage Patch

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17 of 20

See-Through Lamp

Vintage Revivals

Most lamp bases are opaque to hide the wire running through the middle. However, you could also keep the base clear and opt to use a bright yellow wire instead. These instructions from Vintage Revivals will guide you through the steps to create your own color pop cord lamp. The finished lamp would look charming in a little boys room or an office.

See-Through Lamp from Vintage Revivals
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Painted Lamp to Match Your Decor

At Home With the Barkers

If you want a nautical and refined look for a den or office, consider painting stripes onto a lamp base. We suggest keeping the stripes neutral and sticking to deep navy or black with gold accents for the most streamlined effect. Get more helpful tips with this preppy striped lamp project from At Home With the Barkers.

Nautical Lamp from At Home With the Barkers
19 of 20

Update a Basic Goose Neck Lamp

Carolyn's Home Work

When you paint a metal lamp, the main thing you need to consider is the type of paint you use. Make sure you pick a spray paint that is specifically geared toward metal surfaces that get hot. Some paint might not hold up well given the amount of heat metal lamps conduct. Learn how to get the best results for a painted lamp with this project from Carolyn's Home Work.

Goose Neck Lamp from Carolyn's Home Work
20 of 20

Lego Lamp

Infarrantly Creative

If you have a squared off lamp in your child's room that is in need of a makeover, consider facing the exterior with Legos. Infarrantly Creative has all you need to know to make your own Lego lamp and, once you have the main base glued on, you can build all sorts of Lego creations on its surface.

Lego Lamp from Infarrantly Creative