How to easily make a rattan table light that looks like a designer wicker lamp, using a basket and a light kit.
I first made this diy rattan table lamp a year ago for my modern bohemian entryway makeover. Then, I recently decided that I wanted to use it in my bedroom to add organic elements to the already modern feel of the room.
In my entryway I was going to use a modern brass light, but once I built my shoe storage cabinet and hung my arched metal wall mirror, I was starting to feel like I needed to add some natural decor to tone down the modern a bit.
I shopped around for woven style lamps and fell in love with rattan table lamps. But I wasn’t in love with the price tag.
Most of the woven table lamps that I liked cost $100+.
So, I decided to try to make a do-it-yourself wicker light for a fraction of the cost.
Table of Contents
- How to make a rattan table lamp – video
- How to Make a Lamp from a Basket
- Tips for Success Making a Lamp out of a Basket
- DIY Rattan Table Lamp Supplies
- Step 1: Measure and Cut a Top for Your Lamp
- Step 2: Assemble Lamp
- Step 3: Install Lampshade
How to make a rattan table lamp – video
How to Make a Lamp from a Basket
This basket light project was one of the quickest DIY’s I’ve done in a while!
The most difficult part was finding a suitable basket for the size and aesthetic I was looking for to make this woven lamp.
Then, I just used a lamp kit and a few common tools to finish the project.
Tips for Success Making a Lamp out of a Basket
- Take time to find the right basket. My basket was approximately 12 inches in diameter and 10 inches tall. It turned out to be what I would consider a large lamp.
- Use the basket upside down or right side up. Either way I would use a piece of wood like I did to secure the lamp kit to at the top.
- Use a small piece of pipe in between the top of the lamp base and the bottom of the harp to make your lamp shade higher in turn making your lamp taller.
DIY Rattan Table Lamp Supplies
- Basket
- Lamp Kit
- 6 inch threaded pipe nipple lamp supply
- Lamp Shade
- Jig saw with wood cutting blade
- Measuring tape
- Drill and 3/8 inch drill bit
- Scrap piece of 1/4 inch plywood
- Screwdriver
- Sandpaper
- Small piece of pipe
Step 1: Measure and Cut a Top for Your Lamp
The basket I chose to use for this project may be a little different than the basket you end up using, but I would think the steps would be similar using many different baskets.
I found a basket plant stand with legs on clearance at T.J. Maxx that I thought would make a nice base for a rattan table lamp.
The basket part was open on the bottom and was screwed onto a cute wooden table.
First, I unscrewed the basket and removed it from the table. This left me with a basket that was open on the top and bottom.
I wanted to use my basket with the bottom as the top of the lamp so I needed to cover the hole to give me something to attach my light kit to.
Next, using my jigsaw, I cut out a piece of 1/4 inch plywood to cover the hole where I unscrewed the wooden table. This will serve as the top of the lamp.
If I were using a regular basket with a bottom, I think I would still cut a piece of wood to fit inside the bottom to use for stability when putting the lamp together.
Lastly, I drilled a hole in the middle of the piece of wood for my lamp pipe and wire to pass through and screwed the piece of wood back onto the basket where the table had been attached before.
Step 2: Assemble Lamp
Following the instructions in your lamp kit, assemble the pieces on your basket to create a lamp.
First, I threaded the cord through an opening in my basket and then through the lamp pipe nipple.
The lamp kit that I used had me screw a lock nut onto the threaded lamp pipe nipple.
Next, I threaded two metal washers and one rubber washer on the pipe and threaded the pipe up through the hole on the top of my “lamp base.”
Then, I added a piece of pipe so that my lamp shade would sit up higher on the lamp when complete.
After that I threaded the base of the harp over the top of the pipe and screwed the bottom of the socket on.
Then I attached the wires to the socket, as instructed in my lamp kit instructions, and secured it in to the bottom socket with the socket sleeve.
Step 3: Install Lampshade
Once the lamp kit was installed all I had to do was screw in a light bulb, add a lamp shade, and plug it in!
I love the way this rattan table lamp turned out. And I love how easy it was to make.
And now I have made a second lamp, I can use one on each nightstand in my bedroom!
Do you like it better in my bedroom or entryway? Or maybe you don’t like it at all. That’s ok too.
I think I like it better in my bedroom.
Thanks for visiting!
See you soon!
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