A DIY table lamp is one of the most affordable ways to decorate your interior and give it personality. As long as professional and amateur designers don’t mock them! The reason is simple: in terms of the ratio of functionality and opportunities for creative expression to the required costs of materials, labor and skill, the table lamp is firmly among the leaders among household items. In this article, we’ll see what you can do with it without particularly straining your hands or wallet. Just a fiction.
Original table lamps
The advantage of homemade lamps
Uniqueness, beauty and comfort are three positions that most of the planet’s inhabitants strive for. Every owner is concerned about the issue of improving their home, and having done this competently, people express themselves and get a lot of pleasure from what they have done with their own hands.
In the store it is not always possible to choose the right color or size of the lamp, so doing it yourself will give you the desired result. Such a thing will become an individual attribute. A table lamp made from scrap materials will become a 100% environmentally friendly device and will delight you for many years. You can brag to your friends and surprise them with your talent, and you can also sell it profitably. Such items have special value.
Table lamp from an old basket.
Materials for the lamp
A DIY table lamp is a creative work. Do not abuse particularly expensive materials or items. The main concept of the 21st century is simplicity, and build on that. Don't get hung up on hard-to-find materials; chances are you won't need them either. The main thing is the idea and what is at hand.
You will need to go to the store only as a last resort, for example, you may need the electrical part of the lamp, but it can also be used from an old one. To make an original lamp you will need all the unnecessary trash. Wood scraps, multi-colored paper and wire, pieces of metal, threads, various plastics, tubes, broken glass are perfect, even an old hanger will come in handy.
The idea of a table lamp is based on a hanger.
Design elements
There are several basic elements to any invention. When a person creates something, he must clearly see the future picture in front of him. Before you begin, think carefully about everything and write down what you might need.
Main design elements:
- Electromechanical element - think about how the lamp will be installed and how it should glow. If it’s a ready-made stand, just fasten the lampshade; if it’s a branch from a tree, you’ll have to file it down and bring it to perfection. The second step is to power the lamp. Do your work carefully; no fastening elements or traces of wire should be visible.
- Reflectors are an integral part of any lamp. In scientific terms it is a reflector, in popular terms it is a lampshade. Thanks to this element, the light flux is directed to the right place.
- Features of the hinge - it will give mobility to the design of your lamp. She will be able to rotate and change her position. If you are not planning a rotating lamp, you will not need it.
The design should be simple and functional.
Palette and style
Style is the signs that characterize the art of a certain century or type - this is what explains in a nutshell the manner in which the work is done. In our case, this is an individual style, which means the style can be unique. You can borrow something from every era, in this case the artist is you, and creating something unique is your responsibility.
There are many styles, note:
- Provence - the atmosphere of the French Riviera, fabric floral lampshade;
- Baroque - will transport you into an atmosphere of luxury and wealth; for this style, do not skimp on expensive fabrics, stones and gold foil;
- Eco-style - imagine that this style is recognized and welcomed all over the world, the main materials are everything that nature created;
- Modern – sophisticated and laconic, modest and restrained, warm and familiar;
- English style - as a rule, lamps have a simple but bulky design; rich fabrics are used for decoration.
Choose colors according to the interior and keep in mind that they set the mood. For example, red is an aggressive color, it symbolizes fire and passion, orange is cheerfulness and movement, green is calming and relaxing.
Experiment with colors - they set the mood.
Malfunctions
Main malfunctions of night lights:
- Unstable operation of the lamp. It indicates a lack of voltage in the electrical network or a breakdown of transistors and other electrical parts.
- When you move (touch) the cable, the light turns off. In this case, the cause is a damaged wire or a faulty switch. Both parts need to be replaced.
- The light bulb does not work when plugged in. There may be several reasons for this: from a lamp burnout to failure of individual components of the device.
In the first case, the lamp needs to be replaced; in the remaining cases, the lamp must be taken to a service center or workshop.
Repairing a floor lamp yourself is not advisable (unless you are an electrician by profession). In this case, the manufacturer automatically disclaims all warranty obligations.
Further repairs of the lamp are carried out by representatives of the manufacturer only for a fee.
Original ideas
Thanks to modern lighting equipment, there is virtually no risk of ignition, heating of the light elements is minimal, and this allows you to experiment with almost any material. We have already said that works made with one’s own hand are original, let’s look at interesting table lamps made from scrap materials.
Video: Master class on making a three-dimensional chandelier.
Old vase
The originality and simplicity of this idea amazes many people. The design of the lamp is based on only two elements - a glass vase and a plastic food bowl. You can also use an old translucent jug.
This design does not require special installation skills. Use an LED strip as a light source and place it along the upper outer diameter of the vase. This lamp can be used as a night light. Make this lamp portable by using battery power.
The night lamp is made from household items.
We recommend: Homemade night light - step-by-step instructions with photos
Lamp Pinocchio
This lamp is made in eco-style. The material of the diffuser and base is wood, assembled using PVA glue. Thanks to the movable design, the lamp can be adjusted in height and direction of light.
Any solution can be used as a lighting element. The depth of the lampshade allows you to insert a socket and use a lamp with a standard or small base. The lamp will complement almost any interior and will find a place on the desk.
The wire is in additional insulation and secured with a rope. This type of mount gives an unusual effect. Even though the wire is visible, it does not spoil the overall picture. Every schoolchild will be delighted with such a lamp.
Wooden lamp Pinocchio.
Vintage bottle
This lamp is unique in its simplicity and pleasant diffused light. The support is a voluminous piece of wood, in which a hole is drilled for a conductive cable and the neck of a large bottle.
The electrical part is made in the simplest way - a garland is placed inside the bottle, and by freely lowering the wire is led out through a hole in the wooden base. The garland has a plug, so no intervention is needed here either.
This lamp does not require finishing and will perfectly complement an antique interior. The soft greenish color will create an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility.
The antique bottle lamp is the simplest in design.
It will be useful to read: 7 ideas for making lamps from bottles
Exploitation
- The efficiency of a flashlight in 80% of cases is determined by cleanliness. A layer of dust 0.1 mm thick reduces the lighting intensity by 5-10%.
- Office lamps are easy to use; they need to be wiped with a damp cloth once a week. Lamps with lampshades made of textiles, crystal or glass require special care using special products.
Wood or recycled plastic bases need to be wiped down with a microfiber cloth.
- Before cleaning, the floor lamp must be unplugged from the power supply and wait until it cools down.
- Once a year, it is necessary to take the night light for diagnostics of the electrical part (clamps, plugs, screws) to the manufacturer’s service center or electrical appliance workshop. This reduces the likelihood of lamp failure and increases its efficiency.
All operating rules are described in detail in the instructions that come with the device. Such a book is not included in the package of lamps for which the manufacturer does not extend warranty obligations.
Solutions for different premises
Children's room - special attention should be paid to the materials from which the table lamp is made. It is undesirable to use elements that can break and have sharp edges. It is better to use LED strips and a closed-type power supply as a lighting source; this solution will protect children from electric current.
The table lamp is made of a figurine. Children's room.
The bedroom is an intimate and quiet place. There should be at least two lamps in the bedroom - so that one can create a pleasant atmosphere, and the other can be used to illuminate the work area, for example, to read a book in bed. You make a table lamp with your own hands, and therefore have the opportunity to make a comprehensive solution and equip the lamp with a lamp and an LED strip with the ability to switch modes.
Guarantee
Manufacturers of table lamps set the warranty period at their discretion. During this period, they undertake, at their own expense, to repair damage to the devices and replace damaged parts or components.
In devices costing less than 1800 rubles, as a rule, the warranty is given only for the lamp or not at all. There are 2 types of warranty for lamps:
- for a certain period of work (from 1 to 10 years);
- for operating time (from 1,000 to 20,000 hours).
All obligations assumed by the manufacturer or seller of lighting equipment are described in detail in the warranty card that comes with the lamp.
The coupon also describes which components of the floor lamp are covered by the manufacturer’s obligations.
The warranty for table lamps does not apply in the following cases:
- mechanical damage or deformation of any component of the device;
- if the device was not used for its intended purpose or in accordance with the operating rules;
- if the electrical circuit of the lamp has been changed or individual components have been replaced;
- if the floor lamp fails as a result of an emergency increase or decrease in voltage in the electrical network;
- if the device was damaged as a result of a natural disaster (earthquake, flood, fire).
Returning a lamp
Return of lighting equipment is possible if:
- no more than 14 days have passed since the purchase of the device;
- the product has not been used;
- the product packaging has been preserved;
- evidence of the purchase of an item from a specific seller (receipt) is saved.
To exchange the device, you must have your passport with you. If the seller refuses to return the money for the night light, the buyer has the right to demand a refund through the court.
All expenses associated with the return of money (payment for shipping goods, transferring money by mail) are paid by the seller.
LED strip or lamp
LED strips and lamps can be installed as a light source in a table lamp. It is difficult to say which is better; it rather depends on the design and purpose of the lamp. LED strips require a DC power source; power supplies and drivers are used for this. With a lamp everything is much simpler, but LEDs have another important advantage: they give us a lot of shades and colors and operate on low voltage. So decide for yourself.
Video process of making a table lamp from bottles.
Dishes
An old set can also become an elegant base. This lamp is ideal for vintage and shabby chic interiors. Feel free to stack and glue cups, saucers, small teapots and milk jugs. If the dishes are from different sets, you can pre-paint them the same color.
Useful tips
In conclusion, we note what you should pay attention to: use only flexible power cord, do not leave exposed parts of the wires and do not use damaged ones. The height of a good lamp is no more than 50 cm. If you do not have experience working with electricity, leave this part of the work to a specialist.
Plan the lamp in such a way that the light flux does not enter your eyes. When using incandescent lamps, take into account particularly strong heating; do not use table lamps in rooms with high humidity; there is specially protected equipment for this.
Which is better
lamp with:
- 360 degree rotation and tilt devices;
- a mechanism that adjusts the height of the device;
- iron lampshade;
- a push-button or touch switch located on the wire;
- incandescent or LED lamp;
- fastened with a clothespin or clamp.
For the living room you need a floor lamp that:
- highlights the design solutions used in the room;
- equipped with a thin and high leg;
- equipped with a halogen or conventional (incandescent) lamp.
For a room in which children under 12 years of age live, it is better to choose a lamp:
- with a lampshade made of plastic or plastic, which is made in the shape of a fairy-tale character;
- which is equipped with a brightness control or a “night light” mode;
- which is equipped with an LED lamp;
- with a push-button switch located on the body of the floor lamp.
For the bedroom the best lamp would be:
- with a lampshade decorated in soft light colors;
- with a push-button switch located on the wire or housing;
- with brightness control or night light mode.
