• Blog
  • About
  • Press
  • Privacy

Let’s be social!

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Sawdust 2 Stitches

Sawdust 2 Stitches

  • Tutorials
    • Around the House
    • Organization
    • Wall Decor
    • Sewing
  • Makeovers
    • R.V.
    • Room Makeover
    • Furniture Makeover
    • Decor Makeover
  • Build Plans
    • Small Builds
    • Wall Decor
    • Dresser
    • Tables
    • Seating
    • Shelving
    • Hidden Compartment
  • Seasonal
    • Summer
    • Spring
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Home Tours
    • First Home
    • Current Home
    • 70’s Ranch Home
  • Workshop

Cheap Nighstand Lamp Post

June 20, 2013

 So,  I like the idea of having reading lamps, BUT  I have a horrible habit of knocking them over.   THAT,  and I hate having  to move them in order to clean.  It’s just one more thing,   I don’t like clutter. My solution…
 Replacing lamps was enticing,  especially when they are only about $9.00 a piece.
 Here is what you will need:
Fir Stripping  1×3 (1)   $ 1.50 each
Fir Stripping  1×2 (2)   $ 1.00 each
Fir Stripping  1×4 (1)   $ 3.00
Jelly Jar Light       (2)   $ 5.00 each
Extension Cord     (2)  $ 1.00 each
You will first need to decide  how tall you want  the lamp to be.
 I cut my boards tall enough to be higher than my nightstands,  I cut my boards at 2′. (They actually end behind the nightstands,  not at the floor).

Cut List- ( This is to make TWO )

1×4 (2)  @ 2′
1×4 (2)  @ 4″
1×2 (4)  @ 2′
1×3 (2)  @ 5″
 After cutting boards,  sand and stain or paint.
Nail 1×2’s to the sides of the 1×4.
 

Nail the 1×3 to the top of the post.

 
 The new light fixture should come with a mounting bracket that looks like the one pictured below.  Simply screw  bracket to the new post.
 

Drill a hole below the mounting bracket so that wires be fed can through it.

Use cheap extension cords, like these.
 Cut off the ends of the cords, like this.
 
Then  use a utility knife  to split  the ends.
 Use wire strippers to strip the last 3/4 inch of the casing.
 Feed wires through freshly drilled hole.
 
Here comes the fun part!
 You can get them at Home Depot 
Wire the light fixture to the extension cord. When wiring, the white cord will be connected to the “ribbed wire” and the black will the connect to the “smooth”.
 
Once wired, place the light fixture in place, then screw the caps on the bolts. The lamp is now finished!
Drill holes through the 1×4 block.
 This block will be mounted directly to the wall. The newly made fixture will rest snuggly on the mounted block.
 To secure in place secure with a screw through the top of fixture.
They are perfect!  I love the way they turned out, they are unique, cheap, and out of the way!

More from my site

  • Home Office MakeoverHome Office Makeover
  • How to use Pendants to make a Chandelier.How to use Pendants to make a Chandelier.
  • DIY Wooden Chandelier Light FixtureDIY Wooden Chandelier Light Fixture
  • Stair Well Over HaulStair Well Over Haul
  • Patio:  Don’t forget the CeilingPatio: Don’t forget the Ceiling
  • Circle Light FixtureCircle Light Fixture

in Build Plans, Tutorials, Uncategorized # Lamp, Light Fixture, Lighting

Reader Interactions

you may also like
Shelf Under Cabinets
Raised Kitchen Cabinet Makeover
Back of Door Spice Rack
Pool Patio Design

Comments

  1. CAPERNIUS says

    September 27, 2014 at 7:36 am

    AWESOME LIGHT FIXTURE!!!

    Some people are put off by the sight of nails & screws on & in a project….

    My Idea?

    Ok maybe not MY idea, but this idea will work.

    Liquid Nails.

    For attaching the 1×2’s to the 1×4, use Liquid Nails or some other adhesive of the same type. The 1×2’s do not appear to be holding anything as far as weight goes, so Liquid Nails type of adhesive will work there.

    As for the rest of the project, I would not use Liquid Nails type adhesive as the only source of fastener.

    You will have the same fantastic look, without the “imperfections” of the nail fasteners. : )

    • coreydecker@gmail.com says

      September 28, 2014 at 8:01 pm

      Liquid nails would definitely work! I am just too impatient to wait for it to dry. Thank goodness for nail filler, right !?
      Thanks for reading.

  2. Angelie Dettamanti says

    November 18, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    Cute idea! Thanks for the tutorial! Question: how are they turned on and off? Do they have to be plugged in to be on?

    • coreydecker@gmail.com says

      November 19, 2014 at 1:26 am

      If you leave it as is, yes, they need to be plugged in. I later added a lamp switch. ( I have a tutorial coming soon!) Thanks for reading!

  3. Rob Fish says

    November 18, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    Even easier, leave the plug end of the extension cord intact (to plug into the outlet) and addd a simple switch inline to the front of the 1×4.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
IMG_9167 (1).jpg fd

Popular Projects

  • How to: Faux Brick Wall
  • Cheap White Curtains
  • Ikea Cubbies into a Rustic Apothecary
  • Cabinet Transformed Into A Kitchen Island
  • R.V. Makeover
  • How to: R.V. Curtains
DIY & Design

Meet Corey

Hi everyone, my name is Corey, and I have a problem. I can’t leave well enough alone… The best therapy usually involves a variety of power tools. So, in the few “spare” moments I am not entertaining my two beautiful, rambunctious, boys, I can typically be found hunched over a sewing machine and/or covered in sawdust. All in the efforts to create a perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality in our home.
read more

Join our mailing list!

DIY & design ideas - right in your inbox!

Top Hits!

  • How to: Faux Brick Wall
  • Cheap White Curtains
  • Ikea Cubbies into a Rustic Apothecary

Featured

Shelf Under Cabinets

Categories

  • 70's Ranch Home
  • Around the House
  • Build Plans
  • Crafts
  • Current Home
  • Decor Makeovers
  • Dresser
  • Exterior
  • Fall
  • First Home
  • Furniture Makeover
  • Hidden Compartment
  • Kitchen
  • Lighting
  • Makovers
  • Master Closet
  • Organization
  • R.V.
  • Room Makeovers
  • Seasonal
  • Seating
  • Sewing
  • Shelving
  • Small Builds
  • Smart Home
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Tables
  • Tablescape
  • Tutorials
  • Uncategorized
  • Wall Art
  • Wall Decor
  • Winter
  • Workshop

Footer

Contact Me: Corey@Sawdust2Stitches.com

Latest ‘Grams

Follow on Instagram
2020 © Your Blog Name
theme by soleilflare
Enter your name and email and get the weekly newsletter... it's FREE!
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.