Indoor/Outdoor Concrete Pendant Lights
16 Materials
$25
2 Hours
Easy
Create your own pendant lights to hang inside or outside your home using a $5 bag of concrete and soda bottles! So easy and looks awesome above a bar or kitchen sink!
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Video explains it best! So watch my how-to video above and then read below for more information and details!
Prepare your forms by removing the labels from a 2-liter and 1.25-liter plastic bottle. Choose ones with straight sides as the shape of the bottle will be the shape of your pendant. Cut the 2-liter at the bottom indentation, right before it starts getting curvy. Your cut doesn't have to be precise.
Determine how tall you want the fixture to be, and then add an inch since concrete will shrink as it cures. Measure and mark accordingly on your bottle. That mark will be your fill line. Spray the inside of the 2-liter and the outside of 1.25-liter bottles with cooking spray. This will aid in removing the bottles once the concrete is dry. Attach the smaller bottle inside of the bottle through the lids with any kind of screw. I used a drywall screw.
I used 3 more drywall screws to attach them together on the opposite end as well. You'll want the spacing to be as uniform between the 2 bottles as possible since this is where the concrete will go. Unless you don't want your fixture to be uniform. Then, by all means, vary the spacing!
Once you have however many forms you're making complete, set them lid down in an old coffee can or something similar that will hold them in the vertical position. Now it's time to mix the concrete. I recommend a fine mix like Quikrete's Sand/Topping Mix so you'll get a smooth finish. Take a scoop of mix and add a tiny amount of water. It's easier to add water than take it away! Mix and add water as needed to reach the right consistency. You want something slightly thicker than cake batter. (Best way I can tell you is to reference the video above for a good consistency.) If you're making more than one fixture, make more concrete than you think you'll use. The consistency of the concrete can affect the coloring of the finished product, so you want to mix it all at once to get a cohesive look.
Slowly add the concrete to your soda bottle forms. Packing it in and filling it up to your previously-marked lines. Now comes the fun part! In order to get any bubbles out of the concrete, vibrate your forms with a palm sander! You could also tap it with a hammer, but aren't power tools always more fun?!
Once you're satisfied all of the air bubbles are out, leave it to sit overnight. Then use a razor knife and/or scissors to remove the plastic bottles. Sand the bottom edge with a medium- or fine-grit sandpaper.
Finally, thread a pendant light kit from the home center (the one I used was Portfolio's 'Bronze Pendant Light Conversion Kit') through the hole in the top of your concrete pendant and connect the wires (after turning off the breaker) like a normal fixture. Insert your light bulb and your beautiful new pendant(s) are ready for display!
Functional and beautiful!
If you liked this project, check out my blog and web show at checkinginwithchelsea.com! I look forward to connecting with you there!
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Comments
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2 of 26 comments
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I've been looking for pendant light to hand in my Master bedroom above nitestands in order to de-clutter the nitestands and cannot find any pendants that I like. This is an amazing idea!!! Love it!!
Id like to add some color to the cement so will check out the color options. Thanks so much. I LOVE this page, so many great DIY options. 💜
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They turned out beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Frequently asked questions
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Hello what a lovely pendant thank you for sharing. My question is, is the cement transparent or is it just a reflection. They look to be transparent in the last picture :)
These are really great! I'd like to try this for my bedroom. Can color be added to the quikcrete mix. I think I'd rather add color to the mix, than painting?
Is there a fitting to attach to a can light where I can then hang a pendant fixture instead? I'd love these in my home!