DIY Industrial Light

DIY Industrial Light // The Merrythought
I’ve been admiring the painted industrial lights and pendants lights that seem to be popping up everywhere lately. However the price tags you see for some of them are a bit steep. I mentioned my new obsession to Mike, who walked out to his garage and came back in with a vintage green industrial light!! What doesn’t this guy have in his garage?! I decided I wanted to hang one in each of the rooms upstairs, so I needed to come up with two more.
Mike has quite a few clamp lights that he uses for work and one day after seeing one, I had the idea to try to turn one of those into my very own industrial light.  It turned out to be an easy, very affordable project (under $20 a light, even less if you already have spray paint or buy a smaller size clamp light).

Supplies you’ll need:

  • clamp light (mine is from Home Depot)
  • spray paint
  • adhesive remover, such as Goo Gone
  • ceiling hook
  • tape (painters tape is best)
  • light bulb
  • a good-looking man to do your dirty work  – optional

DIY Industrial Light // The Merrythought
DIY Industrial Light // The Merrythought
iDIY Industrial Light // The Merrythought
DIY Industrial Light // The Merrythought
How to do it:

  • Remove clamp from light socket, it should just slide off.
  • Remove any stickers that are on the light socket and shade, using adhesive remover if necessary. (Be gentle with lamp shade, it can dent easily)
  • Tape the holes at the top of light so that when you spray the shade, it doesn’t go through to the other side.
  • Spray paint the shade, following the instructions on the can you’re using. Your shade will likely need 2 to 3 coats. I, okay, Mike painted both the inside and outside of my shade (blue & white).
  • After shade is dry, screw the light socket into the shade.
  • Put in your light bulb.
  • Attach the ceiling hook where you’re going to hang the light.
  • Hang your light from the hook and plug cord into an outlet.
  • Enjoy your handy-work!

DIY Industrial Light // The Merrythought
DIY Industrial Light // The Merrythought

Tip:
Glossy spray paint looks best! I tried one with satin spray paint and it didn’t look as good.

If you try this out, I’d love to see it, leave a comment with a link. xo. Manda

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