How to Build a Lamp from Scratch (So Easy!)

Learn how to build a lamp of your very own by following this simple tutorial – use maps from your fave places to decorate the shade.

Man Podger David has totally hit the nail on the head with his map lamp for this week. It’s one of those great decoupage ideas that feels vintage-y (must be the maps, which always make me think vintage for some reason).

Yet it also could go very well in a modern home. David made it awesomely simple, and I know you will appreciate it. Yes, you too can build a map lamp! Read on, and don’t forget to check out these Mod Podge map crafts you’ll love.

DIY Vintage Map Lamp

I’ve long admired all the pipe-fitting shelving that’s been cropping up. But neither I nor my 1940 fixer-upper house can really pull off that cool, downtown, loft-chic look that I associate with such things.

However, I needed a lamp for my new office and I thought perhaps with a little Mod Podge I could marry my vintage obsession to the downtown style.

It turned out to be a kind of alarmingly simple project.

How to Build a Lamp

To make my map lamp, you will need:

• 1/2″ galvanized pipe (pick a length for your preferred lamp height)
• 1/2″ pipe base
• Reduction cap
• Lamp kit (available at any big box hardware store in the lighting area)
• Lamp shade
• Wooden base (I used a plaque)
• Felt feet
• Mod Podge Gloss
• Maps
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Foam brushes

Cut the paper you’re using for decoupaging to the size of your base.

TIP #1 If you want to paint your base and you are smarter than I am you will paint it BEFORE you decoupage it. Foresight – not my strong suit.

Using a foam brush spread a layer of Mod Podge onto the base, carefully lay your paper on top and, with moistened fingers or a brayer, gently push out any bubbles that may appear.

TIP #2: My base had a raised, curved edge so I cut the paper to be a little bit bigger and attached it. After it was dry I added another coat of Mod Podge to really stiffen it up. When that dried it was easy to go in with a sharp knife and cut around the curves.

Set aside and allow to dry thoroughly. After it dries you can add a sealer coat of Mod Podge over the top and allow that to dry.

After the base is dry, drill a hole in the center just big enough for your lamp cord to pass through. Center your baseplate over the hole and screw it in place.

Now is a good time to glue on the feet – I used old knobs and Gorilla Glue but you could use anything that appealed.

Now, assemble the lamp. First, run the wire from the lamp kit up through the base and the ½ inch pipe. Connect the pipe to the base and pull the wire through the reduction cap and then attach the reduction cap to the pipe.

Next connect all the wiring as directed on the lamp box kit.

. . . this will leave you wondering (as it did me):

Really!? That’s all there is to wiring a lamp!? Why do they cost so much? Why wasn’t I told this before? Why am I just finding this out in my lamp-buying twilight years?

Anyway . . .

Your basic lamp is assembled.

In keeping with my map theme, I used copies of a couple of vintage maps that I own to cover the shade. After making a template of the lamp shade, I cut out the shapes (a little bigger than the template) and decoupaged the map to the shade, carefully pushing out the bubbles with my fingers.

After it dried I trimmed the edges a little bit and then hot glued some ribbon around the top and bottom as a finishing touch.

If you decide to build some vintage modern map lamps of your very own, consider grabbing some maps of areas that are special to you on eBay. Maybe your hometown, where you got married, etc. I think this would be a fun Father’s Day gift for an office, too.

If you have any questions about my map lamp, please don’t hesitate to ask. I will monitor the comments section and respond.

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How to Build a Lamp

It's way easier to make a lamp than you think! This DIY lamp features a shade and base decorated with maps, using Mod Podge.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Active Time3 hours hrs

Total Time3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Yield: 1 lamp

Cost: $20

Equipment

• Drill and drill bits
• Screwdriver
• Foam brush(es)

Materials

• 1/2" galvanized pipe pick a length for your preferred lamp height
• 1/2" pipe base
• Reduction cap
• Lamp kit available at any big box hardware store in the lighting area
• Lamp shade
• Wood plaque(s) to use for a base
• Felt feet
• Mod Podge Gloss
• Maps

Instructions

• Cut the paper you’re using for decoupaging to the size of your base.
• Using a foam brush spread a layer of Mod Podge onto the base, carefully lay your paper on top and, with moistened fingers or a brayer, gently push out any bubbles that may appear.
• Set aside and allow to dry thoroughly. After it dries you can add a sealer coat of Mod Podge over the top and allow that to dry.
• After the base is dry, drill a hole in the center just big enough for your lamp cord to pass through. Center your baseplate over the hole and screw it in place.
• Now is a good time to glue on the feet – I used old knobs and Gorilla Glue, but you can use anything.
• Now assemble the lamp. First, run the wire from the lamp kit up through the base and the ½ inch pipe.
• Connect the pipe to the base and pull the wire through the reduction cap and then attach the reduction cap to the pipe.
• Connect all the wiring as directed on the lamp box kit.
• Use copies of maps to cover the shade. After making a template of the lamp shade, cut out the shapes (a little bigger than the template) and decoupage the map to the shade, carefully pushing out the bubbles with your fingers.
• Let dry for 15 – 20 minutes, and then apply a top coat. Let dry.
• Trim the edges and apply ribbon or another accent around the top and bottom of the shade with hot glue.

Video

Now that you know how to build a lamp, you need to check out these other tutorials:

• DIY House Number Sign
• DIY Bookends from Rolling Pins