When the BF and I moved into our rental pad, we needed a light fixture over the dining room table but there was no wiring to hook one up and no money in my pocket-book (does anyone ever actually call it that?). So, in a pinch, I thought up a quick, easy and on-the-cheap DIY Paper-Lantern-Chandelier-ish Pendant Light!
I’m like a magpie and have an uncontrollable attraction to shiny things and chandelier crystals are not safe from my talons! I had a collection of random ones which I’d nabbed at various flea markets, etc. so I thought I’d put them to use, sprucing up a very large paper party lantern! This is a great solution for anyone wanting to swag a light anywhere there isn’t a built-in fixture and get a chandelier-like effect for a fraction of the cost!
What You Need:
- A Paper Lantern – size and color of your choosing. I got my 24 inch turquoise beauty from Luna Bazaar for $11.75
- A light cord – they come in black or white with a plug so you can run the wire up the wall and over the ceiling to drop down where ever you want your fixture. $14.95 from Luna Bazaar.
- Chandelier crystals – buy them at flea markets, thrift stores, Etsy or Ebay
- A screw hook – from which to hang your cord. Some light cord kits come with them, it looks like this.
- A staple gun or tacks – to secure the cord to the ceiling and wall to avoid droopage
Do It:
- Mark on the ceiling exactly where you want your light cord to hang down from, ex: over the dining table, bed, etc.
- Screw in your screw hook to the spot in the ceiling (you may want a second screw hook to swag the cord over to the wall).
- Put your paper lantern together – it’s super easy, just follow the directions that come with and don’t rip the delicate paper!
- Attach your lantern shade onto and around your light cord – there’s a hook on the lantern for easy hanging.
- Staple any slack in the cord to the ceiling and down the wall – optional step.
- Final touch: hang the beautiful chandelier crystals from their hooks around the metal base of the lantern for the glitz factor.
Yes! Done! Turn it on!!!
photos via 
so glad everyone likes this DIY! it’s so easy and yes, Luna Bazaar is addictive!
I totally have a boring old paper lantern light over my dining room table right now, and I’m sooo considering doing this. I love shiny things!
wow. I just spent WAY too much time on the Lunar Bazaar site decorating an imaginary apartment in my mind.
PHENOMENAL! I LOVE this! Going to use it for all my parties now!
Ikea has light kits for $4.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10175810
yay! i’ve used those before as well – they work great, although they don’t have a switch on the cord. can’t beat that price though!
Me likes your swanky red sofa too!!
ha thanks! vintage from the victorian era!
This is brilliant – I have been trying to think of something to spruce up the back patio for my birthday, and this is it. Thanks!!!
for sure! take photos!
This looks really pretty, and not all that difficult to make! Fancy.
I can’t wait to try this! It is one of those things that people won’t believe you made and like yourself – my dining table doesn’t have a light over it! Glad I have something to look forward to this weekend!
yay! it’s so easy and cheap! take pics!
So pretty! I want to try this!
do it! let me know if you have any questions!