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Home / Projects / Home Decor / How to Turn a Vase Into a DIY Lamp

How to Turn a Vase Into a DIY Lamp

February 17, 2021 By //  by Hannah 23 Comments

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Lamps can be pretty darn expensive so I wanted to give DIY lamps a try for my guest bedroom to keep the costs down.  It turns out that it is extremely easy to transform a vase into a lamp.  Even for someone like me that has no concept of electricity or experience wiring anything.  If you have a vase and lamp shade you can purchase a few additional items from your local hardware store and turn that vase into a DIY lamp with ease.  Here is a complete tutorial of how I made these cute little lamps and links to the materials and tools that I used.

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.  Thanks so much for the support!

Materials

Vase (I got mine at Big Lots on clearance for $8 each!)

Lamp Shade

Lamp Kit

Block of wood (or large washer)

Super glue

Tools

Rotary saw

Stone bit

Drill press or drill

Hole saw

3/8″ drill bit

Directions – How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Step 1 – Drill a hole for the cord

First mark where you want your cord to feed through the vase.  If there are little feet on your vase you may be able to feed the cord through the bottom of it but if it’s flush like mine you’ll need to feed it through the back of the vase.

To cut the hole I used my Rotary saw and a Stone bit.  The hole only needs to be large enough to fit the cord through so don’t go crazy.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Step 2 – Make a cap for the top of the vase

You’ll need to cap the top of the vase to attach the lamp components.  The top of my vases were roughly 2-1/4″ in diameter so I went with a scrap piece of 1/2″ oak that I cut to 2.5″ using my Hole saw and drill press.  If you want a metal top cap you may be able to find a washer that covers the top of the vase but that will depend on the diameter of the vase opening.

If you’re not familiar with a hole saw, this is what it looks like.  You can attach it to a handheld drill or a drill press to cut a hole into your wood block.  Note that the hole saw will only cut to a certain depth so make sure that your piece of wood is thin enough.  For example, mine can cut up to 1″ thick material.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

I have a drill press but a standard hand drill would work just fine too.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

I should have cut the center hole to the correct diameter to feed the lamp pipe through first but I didn’t think about that.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Luckily I was able to clamp the small wood piece down and drill a 3/8″ diameter hole into the center that was large enough to fit the lamp pipe through.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

The wood top cap fits the top of my vase perfectly!

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Step 3 – Attach components to the lamp pipe

Next, you’ll want to attach the lamp kit components to the wood block.  All of the components thread onto the lamp pipe (except the wood block which slides over).  In the photo below you can see the components that are above the block.  These all came with a lamp kit and will be visible above the vase.

The lamp kit that I bought at Home Depot came with a very short lamp pipe so I had to buy a longer lamp pipe and cut it to size using my hand saw.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

On the underside of the wood block you’ll need a washer and locknut to hold it in place.  My lamp kit did not come with these items so I purchased them separately.  That said, the Lamp Kit that I linked in this post appears to have these pieces.  I also has a longer lamp pipe.  I wish I would have just bought it from Amazon to begin with.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Step 4- Feed the cord through the vase and lamp pipe

Feed the cord through the vase and lamp pipe as shown below.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

The two wires should stick out from the top of the socket base as shown below.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Step 5 – Wire the lamp

This is where I was intimidated but it’s actually very easy.  Follow the direction on your lamp kit and you’ll be fine.  First make an underwriters knot as shown below.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Then, attach the neutral wire to the brass screw and the other wire to the silver screw.  You can identify the neutral wire by looking for ribbing on the white insulation.  The neutral side of the cord will have ribbing whereas the other side will not.

I totally forgot to take a photo of the wires connected so I apologize for that.  If you’re not sure how to connect them to the screws, this article from The Spruce should clear things up.  You essentially loosen the screw, wrap the wire around the base and then tighten it back up.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Step 6 -Place socket shell back on socket base and test the lamp

Before you super glue the wood cap onto the vase I would recommend plugging in the lamp and testing it to make sure it works.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

Step 8 – Super glue the top cap to the vase

Nothing fancy here, I just used some gel super glue on the rim of the vase and held the wood cap in place for a few seconds while it set.

Step 9 – Add the lamp shade

I scored these lamp shades on clearance at Lowes years ago for 11 cents each.  I’m fairly certain that they were mispriced because now they sell the same ones for $14 each.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

I’m fully aware that the art above the bed is off center.  The bed used to be pushed further to the right when there were bigger nightstands in the room.  I’m debating on whether or not I want to keep them so in order to avoid putting unnecessary holes in my wall I’m waiting.  Am I the only one that is this indecisive when it comes to wall art?  Let me know in the comments if you like them or if you’d replace them with something else.

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

How to turn a vase into a DIY lamp

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I hope that this tutorial is helpful.  I can tell you that I’ll probably never buy a lamp again after realizing that I can get a vase on clearance and make one for under $20.  I’m so happy to have matching lamps in my guest room.  Now I just need some guests so that someone can enjoy them! 😉

If you’re interested in any of the other DIY projects in this room, here are projects that are featured in the photos.

  • Hanging plant holders
  • IKEA nightstand hack

Thanks for stopping by!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michele Morin

    February 18, 2021 at 9:05 am

    Perfect look for your bedroom nightstands!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 23, 2021 at 7:41 pm

      Thank you Michele.

      Reply
  2. Michelle

    February 18, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    This is such a great idea! Pinned this so I can try it in the future. 🙂

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 23, 2021 at 7:40 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Rebecca Hastings

    February 19, 2021 at 10:15 am

    Those are great! I’m amazed at crafty people!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 23, 2021 at 7:37 pm

      Thanks so much.

      Reply
  4. Our Hopeful Home

    February 21, 2021 at 2:10 am

    Wow, how awesome are these lamps! Kudos for your transformation. (I love BIg Lots.) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo kathleen

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 23, 2021 at 7:37 pm

      Thank you Kathleen. I feel like so many people are missing out on Big Lots. They have really stepped up their home decor items over the past few years. It’s one of my favorite stores.

      Reply
  5. Jo (A Rose Tinted World)

    February 21, 2021 at 11:04 am

    This is a great idea! Love the graduated design of those vases.

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 23, 2021 at 7:36 pm

      Thank you. 🙂

      Reply
  6. tarahlynn

    February 22, 2021 at 11:50 am

    Thanks for sharing with us! I’ll be featuring you at the next to Grandma’s house we go link party!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 23, 2021 at 7:35 pm

      Thanks so much for the feature Tarahlynn.

      Reply
  7. Debbee

    February 23, 2021 at 10:37 am

    Well done and such a great tutorial. Inspiring me to come up with a mid century modern style for my adult sons new home. Pinned!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 23, 2021 at 7:35 pm

      Thank you Debbee!

      Reply
  8. Rebecca

    February 23, 2021 at 11:01 am

    This is an amazing project, Hannah! I love it! New lamps can be so expensive. Thanks for sharing at Celebrate Your Story! Link Party. You’re being featured this week 🙂

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 23, 2021 at 7:34 pm

      Thanks so much for the feature Rebecca!

      Reply
  9. creativejewishmom/sara

    February 25, 2021 at 7:12 am

    Love it, always wanted to do this, with a large glass bottle! thanks for sharingon craft schooling Sunday!

    Reply
  10. Create With Joy

    February 25, 2021 at 12:04 pm

    I love this project and your blog is fabulous too – so many wonderful DIY projects and crafty ideas!
    CONGRATS Hannah – I’m delighted to feature you as our Friend of the Week at Friendship Friday at Create With Joy!
    Week 471

    Reply
    • Hannah

      March 3, 2021 at 5:53 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  11. Denise/My Home of All Seasons

    February 25, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    I have wanted to do this for so long Hannah! This is such a great tutorial that I think I can finally give it a shot. Thanks so much. Pinned!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      March 3, 2021 at 5:52 pm

      Thanks for pinning Denise. Tag me if you make your own lamps. I’d love to see them!

      Reply
  12. nancy

    March 17, 2021 at 6:35 pm

    Cute!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      March 18, 2021 at 1:04 pm

      Thanks Nancy. 🙂

      Reply

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