• About Lovely Etc.
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • My Book

Lovely Etc.

Creating home for less

  • House Tour
  • DIY Decor
  • Furniture Flips
  • Printables
  • Upcycled
You are here: Home / DIY Decor / DIY Industrial Light: An Upcycled Lighting Project

DIY Decor Upcycled

DIY Industrial Light: An Upcycled Lighting Project

  • Share
  • Tweet

After years of living without any overhead lighting in our living room, we finally had an electrician add wiring for a light fixture.  Such a good decision.  Then the search was on for the perfect fixture.  I found several lights I loved but they were all way over the budget – so I decided to make my own. This DIY industrial light fixture cost only $20 and was incredibly easy to make.

And best of all, I can’t even tell you how excited I am that we finally have a light!

how to make a diy light fixture with $20 and 1 hour

 

I started with this huge brass and gold light fixture I found at the Habitat ReStore for $15.  (Man that thing was heavy!) These old brass lights are pretty common and there were several there for me to choose from that day.  This one was the winner because I liked the curved shape of the inside portion.

old brass and glass chandelier

Once I got it home, I started taking it apart. Most light fixtures and lamps are pretty easy to deconstruct just by unscrewing the various parts. Once I had stripped off the massive shade, I was left with this.

interior of old brass chandelier

The next step was spray painting the whole thing oil-rubbed bronze.  To make sure that paint didn’t mess up any important electrical parts, I taped off the ground wire and used foil to protect the inside of the light sockets.

spray painting light fixture

Several light coats of metal primer and oil-rubbed bronze spray paint later and the light already looked completely different.

I started contemplating what I wanted to use as a shade for my light.  I was dreaming up all kinds of wood and metal concoctions, when I spotted this old metal lampshade in my stash of thrifted finds.  It still had a few pieces of the old torn lampshade fabric attached, but I easily cut those off.

old metal lampshade

All it needed was a few coats of my oil-rubbed bronze spray paint.

The final step was using a few small pieces of hardware to complete the top of the fixture.  I used a basic light canopy kit along with a small length of chain and another ring that screwed onto the top of the fixture.

rebuilding the light

Then I installed the whole thing in our living room.  One of the best parts of upcycling a light this way is you really don’t have to alter the wiring of the light fixture at all. You just install it like any other new light.  (As always, I am not a licensed electrician.  Before attempting any electrical work, please consult an electrician and use caution.)

diy industrial light fixture

And now  that old, dated brass fixture is a modern industrial ceiling light.  I think it would look even better with Edison bulbs, but since my fixture takes 12 light bulbs, buying new Edison bulbs would have tripled the cost of this project!  So I stuck with plain incandescent bulbs for now.

updated industrial chandelier

 

repurposed brass chandelier

After so many years of relying on lamps in here, it is amazing being able to walk in and light up the whole room with the flip of a switch.  I love it!

repurposed industrial light fixture

 

Upcycled and repurposed projects are by far my favorite projects to do.  I love saving something that is a little outdated with a few tweaks.

easy industrial diy lighting update

Want to see more upcycled lighting ideas?  Check these out.

DIY Orb Chandelier

orb chandy button

 

How to turn a lantern into a lamp

upcycled lantern lamp

DIY Hanging Lamp

DIY hanging light 2

  • Share
  • Tweet


24 Comments

« How to make a Sunburst Mirror using Scrap Wood
Seashell Decor: 17 Gorgeous Seashell Crafts »

Comments

  1. Pat Dowd says

    June 27, 2016 at 1:22 pm

    Wow! Nice job And congrats to you for choosing to add an overhead fixture to your living room. A lot of designers would say that’s a no-n0, but I love having one in my living room, in fact, in all my rooms. Sometimes you just NEED more light when you’re doing a project or a crossword puzzle, or when you’re cleaning the room. So, enjoy your great DIY project

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      June 30, 2016 at 8:11 am

      Thanks Pat. I totally agree – sometimes you just really need more light. And I a firm believer in creating a home that works for you – not the designers!

      Reply
  2. rita palm says

    June 29, 2016 at 9:49 am

    Yes – I agree that the transformed light is an improvement – however, I feel that it is not quite the correct light for your particular space. Lights should match your furniture style – but on the other hand – if you feel happy with your achievement – – why not enjoy what you have.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      June 30, 2016 at 8:14 am

      Thanks Rita, that is what I am debating as well. I love an eclectic mix in a room – but I’m not sure this is striking quite the right balance. Still love the light though!

      Reply
  3. Cheryl says

    June 29, 2016 at 11:08 am

    The upcycled chandelier is perfect for your space. It has the right balance of old & new ideas put together to achieve a new look.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      June 30, 2016 at 8:14 am

      Thank you Cheryl! You are so kind.

      Reply
  4. Joan says

    August 6, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    This light looks just like the newest chandeliers I have seen in the fancy stores. Good job!
    I have an old shade form too and now I know what to do with it. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 8, 2016 at 10:02 am

      Thanks Joan! That is what I was thinking too.

      Reply
  5. Lorraine says

    August 6, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    Why not paint it copper? Copper accents are all the modern rage at the moment also gold and silver and these colour’s will go with any other fixtures you would have in your home. And the open shades are all the go.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 8, 2016 at 10:03 am

      Good idea Lorraine, I have been thinking about adding some copper somewhere.

      Reply
  6. Dahlia Walsh says

    August 7, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    The only comment I would give is I think if it were just a tad lower it would for your area better. Just a little more chain?

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 8, 2016 at 10:03 am

      Hmm, that is a good suggestion – I just want to be careful not to make it so low it is a hazard to tall people!

      Reply
  7. Erika says

    August 7, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    I love the look that you achieved with just using the wire from a lampshade! The room looks great!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 8, 2016 at 10:04 am

      Thanks so much Erika!

      Reply
  8. Linda Hall says

    September 7, 2016 at 11:10 am

    Hey Carrie,
    If you decide to sell it – Please let me know. I have a very modern dining room, that would fit this to a tee.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 12, 2016 at 2:24 pm

      I will Linda!

      Reply
  9. DeAnn says

    September 10, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    Have you considered doing a new fabric on the wire shade? love the plain wire but it might soften it and give a less industrial feel you seem to be looking for?

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 12, 2016 at 2:35 pm

      Thanks for the suggestion DeAnn! I agree that would definitely soften the look. I think I’ve decided to live with it this way for right now but I am filing all of these ideas away for whenever I decide I am ready for a change!

      Reply
  10. Michelle says

    May 25, 2017 at 10:14 am

    Awesome job Carrie. I love, love, love how it looks now. All steampunkish and just perfect

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      May 27, 2017 at 5:16 pm

      Thank you Michelle!

      Reply
  11. Bernice says

    May 25, 2017 at 11:56 am

    Wow great job

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      May 27, 2017 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks Bernice!

      Reply
  12. [email protected] at the Crossroads says

    June 10, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    Great job with creating your own light fixture! I have an old lamp shade just waiting for such a project!!!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      June 12, 2017 at 8:14 pm

      Thanks Jane!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Looking for Something?

Disclosures and Content Sharing

Thanks for stopping by Lovely Etc! While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of the information displayed on this website, Lovely Etc. makes no guarantees as to the procedures and information contained here. The publisher will not be liable for direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with the information displayed on lovelyetc.com. This website is not intended to substitute for advice from a professional. I work hard to be honest and upfront in all of my posts here at Lovely Etc., including sponsored content. Lovely Etc is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
 
All of the photographs you see here are mine unless otherwise credited. I love for others to share my work so please feel free to use one photo with a link back to me. Pinning and sharing is always encouraged! Please do not reproduce other Lovely Etc. content without permission. Thank you!

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316