Shine in Style: Creating Your Own Custom Light Fixture
I found this post on Pinterest where the person made this darling custom light fixture out of wood. I LOVED it and had to recreate it for my mudroom. I was pleasantly surprised by how simple it was. It looks so much more difficult than it actually was. The hardest part was waiting for the glue to dry. When we moved into our house, we replaced the builder pendent lights above our island, so I repurposed them for this. Because of that, this project was actually very inexpensive, but it has a huge impact! I love it!!
Custom Light Fixture Supplies
Square Dowels
Poplar
Wood Glue
Nails/Nail Gun
Pendent Light
Mini Sanders
Paint
Hole Saw Kit
Drill
Step 1: Cut the wood for the frame of the custom light fixture.
I started by cutting 12 dowels to be 14 inches each, making sure they were all exactly the same length. Then I cut both ends of 8 of them at 45 degree angles.
Step 2: Assemble it.
I started by assembling 2 squares with the dowels I cut at 45 degree angles. I glued them together. If you have the angle clamps you can use them to hold the squares together while they dry.
Once they are both dry, I glued the remaining 4 dowels in the 4 corners of one of the squares, then put the second square on top to complete the cube.
Like I said the hardest part was waiting for the glue to dry. If you struggle keeping the dowels together, but do not have angle clamps, you can use tape or even put a nail in them.
Step 3: Anchor on top for the light.
I got a piece of poplar board to create the anchor to hold the light. I made an X then cut a hole in the middle for the light to go through. I used a hole saw kit, that just attaches to your drill. I then secured it to the top of the cube.
Step 4: Adding design to the sides.
Ok, time to spice up the sides. I cut 8 pieces of the dowels the same length. They will go in 2 of the corners of each of the 4 sides of the cube. I then cut each of the ends at 45 degrees and glued them on.
I then did the center dowel that went from one corner to the opposite corner. I only needed 4 of those. I cut them all the same length and then mitered the ends to a point, so 2- 45 degree angles that meet in the middle. I then glued those on.
Finally, I cut 8 more dowels that will go between the 2. Repeat the steps, cut 8 the same length, the mitered the ends and glued them in place.
Step 5: Finish work and then paint it all.
Because this is wood, I wanted it to have a smooth finish, so I gave the whole cube a quick sanding. Then, I painted everything black. The pendant light, the light plate that attaches the light to the ceiling, and the cube. I used a paint and primer in one, but you can prime it then paint it if you want.
Step 6: Assemble and hang your custom light fixture.
I then attached the pendant light to the cube, and hung my beautiful new custom light fixture in place of the light that was already in my mudroom.
Seriously, I love how this custom light fixture turned out! It looks so fresh and fun, and is a huge statement piece in my mudroom! What do you think? Would you give this one a try? Let me know.
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