Do you love the look of concrete pendant lamps, but hate the hassle of drilling into the concrete? If so, this tutorial is for you! By using plastic bottles, you can create a sturdy and realistic looking concrete pendant lamp that looks great in any room. Plus, since this project doesn’t require any special tools or expertise, it can be done by anyone in just a few short hours. So why wait? Check out the steps below and see for yourself!
Let’s face it, designer lighting can cost a pretty penny. Instead of spending your tax refund on a brand new ceiling lamp, make yourself an entire set of stylish concrete pendant lights with a single bag of concrete mix and some old plastic bottles. Concrete is affordable, modern, and you can make more than 15 lamps from a single $6 bag!
Concrete Pendant Lamps
Materials:
- Quikrete 5000 Concrete Mix
- electrical socket, switch and cord
- 2 plastic bottles (one larger and one smaller)
- threaded tube and nuts (3/8th inch diameter tube)
- 3 1/2 inch deck screw
- 120 grit sandpaper
- metal can
Tools:
- box cutter or knife
- RYOBI 18 Volt Cordless drill with a 3/8th diameter standard bit for drilling holes in the caps
- wire cutters to cut the cord and strip the wires for reconnecting the socket to the cord after putting the socket inside the lamp
First, a little more about the materials you’ll be using. QUIKRETE® 5000 Concrete Mix is a commercial-grade blend of stone or gravel, sand and cement that’s specially designed for strength. It is available at Home Depot and typically comes in 80lb. bags. The electrical socket, switch, and cord, and the threaded tube and nuts are all available at Grandbrass.com, along with other common lamp parts.
- Poke a hole in the soda bottle with a box cutter and use scissors to cut the bottom of the bottle. Then, drill a hole in the caps of the soda bottle. It’s easier to drill a hole in the bottle caps when they are attached to the bottle. The hole should be just big enough to screw the metal tube through.
- Now it’s time to connect the bottle caps. Screw the tube through both caps and use nuts on either side of each cap to hold them in place.
- Screw the bottles into the caps.
- Next, use deck screws to stabilize the bottles.
Now, mix the concrete and fill the mold. We recommend using a large spoon to fill the mold. Shake and tap the mold after each spoonful to make sure the concrete settles. Place in a metal can to stabilize.
- We’re almost done! It’s time to remove the bottles from the mold. We used a box cutter and scissors to remove the plastic bottle. A hair dryer can be used to heat the plastic, making it softer and easier to pull out with pliers.
- Sand your lamps to smooth down any rough edges. Then it’s time to wire.
- Cut the socket end of the wire and thread the cut end though the bolt hole. Strip the wires and twist them together. Cover the exposed metal with electrical tape or wire nuts and make sure the pendant is securely fastened.
- Done!
- To hang, we used a $4 bracket from IKEA. You can also try blending different colors of concrete for a 2-tone effect. We love it!
Concrete pendant lamps are not only durable but also beautiful and stylish. While picking the right shade of color, you can also add some simple pieces such as a vase or even a flower arrangement to make the lighting experience more exciting. After all, the best way to create a stunning ambiance is through personal touchups.
The cost of concrete pendant lights starts from Rs 800 and goes up depending on the size and quality of material used. If you’re looking for something unique yet affordable, then go ahead with plastic bottles!
