An Easy DIY Custom Lamp From A Vase!

4 Materials
$75
1 Hour
Easy

Want to know how to create an easy DIY custom lamp from a vase?! AND, staying within budget?! Then you've come to the right place because I have the easy peasy how-to!

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that lamps are personal. More often than not, when I'm shopping for a lamp, I'm doing so with a specific room in mind. Sometimes, though, when I find a lamp at a thrift or antique store that I absolutely have to have (and the price is right), then I'll buy it and figure out where it'll fit in.


Now, having spewed my affinity for lamps, my rule of thumb is always budget. If I find a lamp that I love and was exactly what I was looking for, but is out of my price range, then I'll pass. Patience is my thing because I know eventually I'll find one, or even design and make one, that will be perfect.


Case in point, this DIY lamp that I made from a vase!


When I was doing some inspirational shopping for a lamp or two in the dining room, I wasn't finding exactly what I had in mind. I certainly shopped thrift stores and salvage shops, and even ventured in to a few lighting design stores. Yet when I would find a lamp close to what I wanted, it was at a full retail place and the price was way too high and out of my budget.

I took a double take on a pine green glass vase that I had on hand. When I'm not using it, it is stored on a shelf above our washer and dryer. And one day while folding a load of laundry, I looked at it and thought "if only I could find a lamp with a base exactly like that vase."


And the lightbulb in my head lit up.

Here's how to wire up the vase:


Sean cut a circle the size of the opening of the vase, to use as a base for the socket. He measured and drilled a hole for the bolt, then using a lamp kit, he wired up the socket. Then, he screwed the socket on to the bolted base.

And just like that, we have a custom lamp. An easy DIY project that again, was easy on my wallet.

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  3 questions
  • Dianne Dianne on Jan 08, 2021

    Fabulous project! I actually have two boxes of assorted vases that I picked up for free after a neighbors yard sale! I also do acrylic pours and can’t wait to get busy making lamps to sell in my Etsy shop! I can also fill clear ones with decorative stones or pine ones, etc.


    BTW, How did Sean fix the plywood socket base to vase? Hot glue? E6000?


    Thank you so much!


    Dianne

  • Loretta Loretta on Jan 08, 2021

    Where did you get the lampshade trim? Love it!

  • Robin Robin on Jan 16, 2021

    Great idea!! (That’s how I think, too- if only I could find a lamp like that... 😂 lol ok!) Did you use anything to weigh down the base? It looks empty... I’d need to fill with dollar store gems so it doesn’t get knocked over easily.

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  • Roberta Cowan Weadley Roberta Cowan Weadley on Jan 08, 2021

    Hi Brooke - nicely done! How did you handle the cord?

    • Farmhouse 1820 Farmhouse 1820 on Jan 08, 2021

      Hi Roberta,


      The cord comes out of the bottom of the socket and nesting falls along the back of the lamp. More often than not, you can't even see the cord.

  • Tonya Tonya on Feb 26, 2021

    Great idea and executed very well!! tfs

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