Of all the things that any ordinary person can make at home, chandeliers and light fittings in general are some of the most interesting examples, the reason being that we expect someone to be able to decorate the walls of their home and even build their own simple furniture, but we don’t really expect them to make their own chandeliers. We hope to change that perception by showing you some of our favourite chandelier projects.
This faux capiz shell chandelier can be quite fun to make, but it’s also a time-consuming project, so you should set aside a free afternoon just for this project. Here’s what you’ll need: wire mesh, laminated rice paper, a hole punch (or two, if you want different sizes), a sewing machine, thread and foil, and wax paper (these last two items are optional).
If you like this style of chandelier then feel free to browse our collection of living room chandeliers .
A brass chandelier is quite easy to assemble, especially if you keep the design simple. You can give the chandelier any shape you like, depending on how many bulbs you want to include. The design will then be sculptural, chic and quite eye-catching.
This candle chandelier is ideal for outdoor spaces such as covered porches. It doesn’t use bulbs as it works with real candles, which is actually a very charming feature. It doesn’t have to be made from scratch. You can simply re-use an old chandelier frame that you can paint to make it look fresh and beautiful.
Speaking of outdoor chandeliers, a really cool idea can be to make one that works with solar lights. The idea is to re-use an ordinary chandelier and make a few simple adjustments to replace the normal bulbs with solar lights. The transformation can also include a few other visual details like a new coat of paint, for example.
Sometimes the success of a DIY project has everything to do with finding the right supplies and this example from Viewalongtheway is the perfect expression of that. The project shows you how to make a crystal ball chandelier that looks glamorous, feminine and eye-catching without breaking the bank.
When it comes to DIY projects, creativity knows no bounds. For example, you can make a chandelier out of anything. Wooden beads are a particularly great option. Wondering what a chandelier made from wooden beads would look like?
This chandelier is made from two wooden rings. In addition to this, the list of supplies needed for the project also includes some copper or steel pipe clamps, screws, sockets, fabric-covered twisted wire, sisal rope, leather or waxed cotton twine and a ceiling canopy.
Mason jars are incredibly versatile, so we’re not at all surprised to see that they can even be repurposed into unique and original chandeliers, like the one featured in the slideshows. The number of pots you use can vary depending on the number of bulbs you want to include in the chandelier. We suggest Edison bulbs for this project.
Another interesting combination of Mason jars and Edison bulbs can be seen on brandisawyer. This DIY chandelier would look great above a kitchen island or dining table. You can hang the lamps as low as you like, adjusting the dimensions and design accordingly.
This isn’t the easiest project ever, but I think it’s worth it. Don’t forget that to achieve this look, you’ll need to use jars in three different sizes. You’ll also need lids for each one, as well as a few other supplies.
The hardest part of the project shown on the instruction tables isn’t making the chandelier itself, but finding a reclaimed wooden beam. Once you have the wood, you can cut it to size and mess up the ends. You can use a propane torch to do this. Then you add the metal straps, bolts, spacers and chain and the project is almost complete. The final step is to add the lights themselves.
Isn’t this chandelier just wonderful? Its design may look familiar and that’s because the centrepiece is a wheel. It’s a really cool and inspiring idea that you can absolutely steal and personalise if you want to create your own chandelier. You’ll find all the details on the instructions as well as a list of the supplies you’ll need.
On the instruction boards, you’ll also find details about this rather simple, rectangular DIY chandelier. The design is rustic, but also minimalist and chic enough to fit perfectly into modern homes. You can hang it over a table or above the kitchen island.
Here’s another example of a simple but charming chandelier project by instructors. The solid wood structure and the way the bulbs are suspended suggest a rustic-industrial design . The dark shade of wood is very pleasing, but you should feel free to create your own chandelier as you wish.
If you find a wooden beam that’s bigger than you need, don’t throw away the excess wood. You could use more than one piece of the beam to assemble your DIY chandelier. How about a symmetrical design like the one shown on the instruction charts? It consists of two pieces of industrial beam connected by metal rods. The rope lights are wrapped around the pieces of beam.
If you prefer your chandelier to look a little softer, you might not want to use hard materials like metal or even wood, but instead fabric or even paper.
If you like the industrial look, you’d probably like to build a DIY chandelier out of metal pipes and fittings. You can give it any shape you like and you can also paint the pipes if you like, although the whole point of an industrial design is to keep the sturdy look.
The latest DIY chandelier idea comes from ruffledblog. Its design is simple but not lacking in character. If you want to make something similar, you’ll need the following supplies: wire mesh, wooden slats, chain, small nails, 4 small hooks, lamp kits, L-brackets and wood glue.
You can make a lot more than chandeliers if you really put your mind to it. For example, there’s this really cool lampshade that we love that looks amazing but can be hung and be part of a table lamp design. What’s really cool is that it’s made from straws. You can find out all about this unique project by following the tutorial offered on Canada thistle.
These lamps and chandeliers with geometric and graphic patterns always look really cool and elegant, especially because they somehow manage to look very simple but also stand out and attract attention at the same time. It’s these characteristics that also allow you to create something like this yourself. Find out more about this in the Vintagerevivals section.
Wooden beads have already been mentioned in a similar context, but the chandelier we’re about to show you is much more detailed. Of course, that means you need a lot of beads if you want to make something even remotely similar. It’s also a time-consuming project to make, so now is probably a good time to do it. Isn’t it just gorgeous?
You may already have a certain style or design in mind for the ideal chandelier or pendant light to place in your living room. Chances are you can replicate that style and create something very similar yourself, all while saving money. There’s a very inspiring Trapped Design tutorial that shows you exactly how you can make this beautiful bentwood pendant.
On a related note, this capiz shell chandelier is quite pretty and was also inspired by a fancy light fitting that costs a lot more in the shops. It’s a smaller, simplified version, but has a similar aesthetic and isn’t even difficult to make either.
This fringed chandelier looks like a really cool choice for spaces like a bedroom, elegant wardrobe or hallway. It adds a lot of texture and colour to the space and you can do it all yourself from scratch. Of course, it’s up to you to choose a colour palette that suits your space and style, so have fun experimenting.
If you want a simple, modern chandelier, consider incorporating copper pipes into your design. They can look rather elegant and refined and are perfect for achieving those straight, clean lines seen on many contemporary chandeliers. Add some wood for contrast and choose bulbs that match the style you’ve chosen. There’s a tutorial for this particular light fixture on vinaigrettes in case you want to do something similar.
Brass pipes and fittings are also a really cool option if you want to make a modern chandelier with a sleek, graphic design and a hint of glamour. This curved arm chandelier, found on vintagerevivals, can be your inspiration. Following a similar aesthetic, you can create your own unique design with custom proportions and as many sockets as you prefer.
We’ve mentioned fringed chandeliers before, but this time we have a slightly more complex design. As you can see, there are several layers here and they cascade down, getting smaller and smaller towards the centre. Finding all the supplies you need for this project can be a bit tricky, but once you’ve got everything, putting it all together is easy and quite fun.
Another idea is to keep the chandelier you already have and give it a makeover or, alternatively, revive an old fixture that you think has potential. The chandelier shown here has been decorated with wooden beads and looks absolutely stunning.
If you want a chandelier or light fitting with an industrial feel, steel tubes and fittings are the way to go. You can use them to create a custom luminaire and you can do it all yourself from scratch. The project requires some planning and you need to be very precise about the measurements so that everything fits together perfectly. This is the type of light fitting that would fit perfectly in the dining room or above the kitchen island and if you’re not really a fan of the original finish, you can always use spray paint to change all that.