Categories Search

Budget Friendly DIY Chandelier

Ceiling fixtures for your dining room or kitchen can be expensive. If you are looking for a less expensive alternative why not try to make your own? We first found this beautiful and rustic chandelier created by Darbin Orvar on Instructables.com. It is perfect for a dining room, kitchen or anywhere you want to shed a little light.
diy chandelier
For this project you will need:

  • 10 bulb string lights
  • 4 Wooden Boards
  • Thin Steel Cable
  • Cable Ferrules
  • Eye Hooks
  • Lamp Switch
  • Lamp Cord

Step 1: The Lights and the Wood
woodwork step 1Start by planning out the design – how large do you want your chandelier to be? In the example, two boards were connected for the width, and in terms of the lights, there is a rather random distribution of the bulbs. You can lay yours out however you would like.
Step 2: Cut to Size
Woodwork step 2To add a border around the edge,  cut one board in half. Then cut the main boards to size and cut mitered corners for the border pieces.
Step 3: Holes and Connecting
woodwork step 3To make the holes for the bulbs use a 1-inch spade bit. To connect the two boards together use pocket screws and glue. For the border, propped the pieces up a little, to make a lip. Then it is easy to secure the border evenly with some glue and the nail gun – and this is a really simple way to connect everything.
Step 4: Finishing
woodwork step 4If you want to seal the wood, use a water based polyurethane. You can also paint some of the wood in white. The white side will secure to the ceiling.
Step 5: Steel Cables
woodwork step 5Now, connect the main box to the white board with steel cables, and use some eye hooks to secure the corners. Add some extra lamp wire to make the string light cord longer, and if you’re not comfortable doing this step, then get someone to help you.
To connect it all, pull the steel wire through the hook, attach two hooks to the white board and pull it through, and then going through all the corners until they’re all connected. To secure the cable in the corners, use the crimpers and make a loop, which can’t go through the hook.
Step 6: Setting It Upwoodwork step 6Next, take the light strip sockets and push them through the holes. Also, secure the wire with some fasteners, so they won’t pop up and be visible. Attach the board to studs in the ceiling, and then simply screw in the bulbs.
To watch this project in action see the video below.

Story and Photo Source: Darbin Orvar 

(Visited 139 times, 1 visits today)