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If you’re wondering how to make a lamp out of cardboard, this fun and easy DIY project is just right! It’s a budget-friendly way to light up your home while letting your creativity flow. In this guide, you’ll find five unique ideas with step-by-step instructions to create beautiful, custom lamps. With just a bit of cardboard and imagination, you can design lamps that bring a warm, personal touch to any room.
Transform your living space with a unique geometric cardboard lamp, a simple DIY project that’s both creative and budget-friendly. Here’s the guide on how to make a lamp out of cardboard with geometric themes!
Draw a pentagon with sides measuring 2.36 inches (6cm) long on a sheet of hard A4 paper.
Next, draw 5 smaller pentagons inside your main pentagon, keeping a 0.236-inch (0.6cm) gap between each one. To do this, measure 0.236 inches from the sides of each pentagon and trace a line to create the smaller shapes, as shown in the photo. Then, lay this paper with a geometric pattern on a piece of cardboard.
Carefully use a needle or a craft knife to poke holes at the top of the pattern, making sure they are evenly spaced. Make 10 more pentagons of the same size.
Next, take a ruler and a pencil to connect the dots you’ve made. The key is to ensure all the pentagons are equal in size, so aim for precision in your lines.
Once you've finished drawing, it’s time to cut the shapes out! Use a cutter to cut these pentagons out carefully.
After that, you press down gently with your hands to help them separate into smaller pieces
To create your geometric cardboard lamp, start with your first group of pentagons. Place the largest pentagon flat on a table and glue the next smaller one on top, making sure its angles touch the sides of the big one. This will form five small triangles around it.
Next, keep adding more pentagons on top, rotating each one so the angles align with the sides of the one below. You can use either white glue or hot glue for this. Once you’ve finished with this first group, just repeat the same steps with the other ten groups.
Now that you’ve finished all your pieces, it’s time to put together your lampshade! Start by laying a pentagon flat on a table. Use hot glue to attach two of its sides to a new pentagon, making sure the vertical sides of both pieces touch. You might need to lift them a bit to get them to fit snugly together.
Next, complete the first layer by gluing 4 more pentagons to the remaining sides of your base. The end result will be a bowl-like form.
Finally, flip your creation upside down, and voilà! Your lampshade is ready. Enjoy your beautiful new piece!
Start by drawing about 8 - 10 new pentagons on your cardboard, similar to the ones from Step 2. The number of pieces needed for the base depends on the thickness of the cardboard and the desired thickness of the bulb holder's bottom.
It’s a good idea to test it out first, as you might need to add or remove some pieces. Use a cutter to carefully cut out the pentagons.
Once you have them, stack and glue them together using white glue or hot glue, making sure their angles and sides align nicely.
For this step, take your bulb holder and carefully apply some strong glue to its base. Ensure the bulb is centered and securely held in place. Let the glue dry completely before moving on, ensuring your project is sturdy and ready for the next steps!
Now it's time to finish your lamp. Just slide the bulb holder through the hole in the base, then place your lampshade on top. If you want it to stay extra secure, glue small pieces of cardboard around the base edges. Light it up to enjoy the gorgeous glow.
For a clearer and more intuitive experience on how to make a lamp out of cardboard, check out our video below! We’ll guide you step by step, making it easy to follow along.
Read more: To have more ideas about making lamp, you should follow "30+ Ideas for Making Lamps"
If you're looking to create a soft, cozy light, learning how to make a cardboard night lamp is ideal. Unlike the bold style of geometric cardboard lamps, it offers a warm, personal touch. Here are 6 steps on how to make a lamp out of cardboard for you to easily follow:
Start by cutting out 16 rectangles, each 11.81x3.94 inches (30x10cm) in length and width. Next, take one of these rectangles and use a ruler to mark and cut two small rectangles 0.98x0.19 inches (2.5x0.5cm). Position these cuts 0.59 inches (1.5cm) from each edge of the larger rectangle.
After marking, carefully use a paper cutter to make the cuts. This will create gaps in the rectangle, as shown in the image below.
Then use a compass to draw two circles with a diameter of 10cm (3.94 inches). Next, use scissors to cut out these two circles.
Next, divide each circle into 16 equal parts. Along the edges of each section, mark small rectangles that measure 0.98x0.197 inches (2.5x0.5cm). Then, use a sharp tool like a box cutter to carefully cut out and remove these small rectangles from both circles.
Divide the radius of your circle in half, 0.98 inches (2.5cm) from the center. Use a hole punch to make a small round hole at this point, creating a hole for your string lights.
Then take an electrical cord with an existing outlet and thread the end of the cord without a bulb socket into the hole you just created.
Next, glue the light socket securely in the center of the circle and carefully screw in your light bulb.
After that, grab the 16 rectangular pieces of cardboard you cut earlier. Gently push these rectangles into the holes you made on both circles. After completing the installation, turn on the light to showcase your new lamp.
Watch the video below on how to make a lamp out of cardboard to learn the step-by-step process of making a unique cardboard night lamp that’s both fun and functional!
Resin is a great material for crafting durable, beautiful night lights in various bright colors. We offer a comprehensive tutorial on how to make a resin lamp, filled with plenty of lovely and inspiring ideas!
How to make a lamp out of cardboard for a desk lamp? This is a creative and straightforward project that can be completed in 7 steps.
Use the compass to measure and mark 3 circle pieces of cardboard with 3.15 inches (8cm) in diameter for the lamp's base. Cut them out carefully.
Next, stack two 0.78-inch (2cm) square cardboard sheets into one and stand it up on the flat surface of one circle. Trace the square's edges with a pencil to form a rectangle on the circle.
Carefully use a paper cutter to cut along your drawn rectangle. Take these 2 small squares and glue them into the groove you’ve just cut.
Next, take a 6.30x0.79 inches (16x2cm) rectangle and gently use a ruler and a box cutter to divide it into small equal rectangles, each rectangle about 0.39 inches (1cm) apart without separating them.
Use a glue gun to apply a sufficient amount of glue around the circle, which has 2 small rectangles you completed in the step above in an upward direction.
Then take the edge of the 6.30x0.79 inches (16x2cm) rectangle and wrap it around the circumference of this circle.
Finally, attach the remaining circle to the opposite side of the base.
To make the lamp body, start by cutting 3 rectangles measuring 3.15x0.79 inches (8x2cm) in length and width respectively.
Take these 2 rectangles and glue them to the square on your lamp base, placing them at a 45° angle to the square on the circle so that they are parallel to each other.
Then take the remaining rectangle and glue it to the top of the first two rectangles, tilting it at a 75° angle to these two rectangles.
Draw a large circle on another piece of cardboard, about 4.72 inches (12cm) in diameter. Cut out the circle, then cut a triangle section, about 80° from the edge to the center, allowing you to form a cone.
Roll the circle into a cone shape and secure it with glue or tape. You can peel off a layer of corrugated cardboard to make the cone softer and easier to roll up.
Place the bulb holder on the top of the cardboard cone and then use the pencil to outline your bulb holder in the middle. Cut both the round outlines you drew. Remove the central piece so that the round hole is free for your bulb holder to be inserted.
Position the socket on top of the cardboard cone. Use a small screwdriver to loosen the screws on the socket where the wires will be connected. Carefully insert the exposed ends of the wires (usually blue and brown or black) into the designated terminals on the socket. Ensure each wire is positioned correctly – typically, one wire goes to the live terminal and the other to the neutral terminal.
To connect wires confidently and safely, you need to break down the basics of hot, neutral, and ground wires.
Tighten the screws on the socket terminals with the screwdriver to hold the wires firmly in place. Finally, screw on the socket cover (or bulb holder) over the socket to complete the assembly. Finally, carefully install the LED bulb into the socket.
The lampshade is positioned at the top ends of the cardboard support arms. The bottom edge of the lampshade is glued onto the top edges of these support arms, securing it in place. This positioning allows the lampshade to be held steadily above the base, directing light downward, which is ideal for a desk lamp setup.
This is the last step in the guide on how to make a lamp out of cardboard. Attach the LED bulb to the socket and plug in the lamp to test it. You can decorate the lamp with paint, fabric, or any embellishments to personalize it.
You can learn how to make a lamp out of cardboard for your desk lamp by following the video below, which offers step-by-step instructions for a fun DIY project.
Creating a charming cardboard Christmas lamp post is a fun and festive project that adds holiday spirit to your decor. Let’s start with the guide on how to make a lamp out of cardboard easily!
To create a hat for your cardboard lantern, cut four triangles, each 4.72 inches (12cm) tall and 3.15 inches (8cm) wide at the base. Then, simply use tape to stick 3 triangles together at the edges and the rest will fold in to create a festive hat for your lantern.
To create the lantern, cut out a trapezoid with a large base of 5.1 inches (13cm), a small base of 3 inches (7.5cm), and a height of 2.95 inches (14.5cm). Make sure the sides are 0.39 inches (1cm) apart. Next, divide this trapezoid into two strips by a cutting knife as shown in your reference picture.
Then, cut out 3 more trapezoids of the same size.
Next, use tape to attach 4 trapezoids to the edges, then bend them into cylinders and continually secure them with tape.
Prepare two cardboard squares, each measuring 4.72 inches (12cm). Use a hot glue gun to apply glue to one side of one square, then press the other square onto the glued side firmly to make sure they stick well together. Finally, glue this doubled-up square to the bottom of the cylinder to complete your lantern.
Next, cut out 3 circles with a diameter of 3.15 inches (8cm). Glue the first circle directly onto the square of the lantern. For the second and third circles, cut a small 0.79-inch (2cm) circle in the center of each. Stack these two on top of each other and then glue them onto the first circle. These round holes are used to attach the lamppost to the lamp base and lantern.
Take the 4 small trapezoids you cut earlier, which measure 2.17 inches by 4.33 inches by 4.72 inches(5.5x11x12cm), and tape them together to form a cylinder.
Next, cut a small square that’s 1.58 inches (4cm) on each side, and make a 0.79 inches (2cm) round hole in the center. This round hole fits the diameter of the lamppost. Tape this square to one open side of the cylinder to complete your lantern!
Then, apply glue around the round hole, insert one end of the lamp post, and continue using a glue gun to secure them more firmly.
To give the base extra stability, stuff some newspaper or extra paper into the hollow part. After stuffing the paper, cut a rectangular with sides 4.33x1.97 inches (11x5cm) and stick it to the open part of the above cylindrical base, you have completed the base!
Next, mix Mod Podge into a tray use a paintbrush to apply this mixture, and glue the small tissue paper squares onto the lantern frame. Then, paint your lantern red for a festive touch. To ensure you paint correctly, take a look at painting guides, highlighting common mistakes, and providing solutions to fix them effectively.
Then, prepare 4 long trapezoid pieces of paper with a large base, small base and height respectively: 5.12 x2.95x5.71 inches (13x7.5x14.5cm). You can use colored paper, tissue paper (cellophane), or crepe paper. These types of paper are easy to shape and allow light to pass through, creating a beautiful effect.
Tissue paper gives a soft light, while colored paper and crepe paper can add various patterns or colors to the lantern. Afterward, use a glue stick to stick this paper to make it look more beautiful.
Place the LED lights inside the lantern, and secure the lid. You can decorate it any way you want.
Finally, a glue gun is applied around the round hole of the lantern, and then the lamppost with base is inserted into the lantern to hold the lamppost in place.
Voilà! Your beautiful Christmas lamp post is complete!
Dive into our video to discover step-by-step instructions on how to make a lamp out of cardboard with a Christmas lamp post that will brighten up your holiday decor!
How to make a lamp out of cardboard to infuse your area with whimsy? Let’s learn how to make a delightful cardboard magic mushroom lamp in just a few simple steps!
Shape the Mushroom by using a compass to draw 2 circles with a radius of 3.94 inches (10cm) on cardboard, then use scissors to cut these circles out.
Or take the first circle and place it on cardboard, draw along its border, and use scissors to continue cutting to get a second circle of the same size.
Make mushroom body by taking a white cardboard and rolling it up diagonally to create a cone shape. Once you have it rolled, carefully check or place the LED driver of the LED String light to see if it fits the stem of the mushroom you are making. Finally, use some water glue to secure the edges and hold everything in place.
Then, cut the top of your rolled paper into equal sections and fold them down. Next, measure about 9.84 inches (25cm) from the bottom and cut off any extra paper.
Place the smaller end of the rolled paper in the center of a cardboard circle. Next, mark around the paper to create a small circle. Carefully use a knife to cut out this circle. Place the first circle on top of the second, then draw the diameter of the inner circle and cut the circle out. Insert the rolled paper into the hole of the cardboard circle.
Then, cut a small line on the cardboard circle, overlap the edges by about 0.09 inches (0.25cm), and mark this overlap with a pen.
Apply a bit of paper glue on this marked area to hold the edges together securely. Finally, add a strip of tape along the bottom where the edges meet to make everything stay in place firmly.
For the second circle, overlap the two edges by about 0.19 inches (0.5cm), then use scissors to cut an arc with a radius of 0.09 inches (0.25cm). Once both are done, gently press the cardboard to shape it like a mushroom.
Grab 2 PVC pipes with a diameter of about 0.08 inches (0.20cm) and 0.10 inches (0.25cm). Place them on a second sheet of cardboard, and use a circle brush to mark where the holes will go.
After that, carefully cut out the circles with a paper cutter. Stack this cardboard sheet on top of the first one. Then continue to use glue and tape to stick the two overlapping edges together like you did the first circle.
Cut the wire into small branches about 11.81 inches (30cm) long, then use tape to fix them, place them on the first round mushroom cap, now you start to distribute the wire.
Thread them through the gap between the mushroom stem and the mushroom cap, then use scissors to cut a small notch on the top of the mushroom stem to fix the part of the wire that will be threaded through the mushroom stem.
Then thread the wire branches through the second circle. Take 0.08 inches (0.2cm) and 0.10 inches (0.25cm) of plastic tubes, then thread them into the holes of the first and second mushrooms, mark with a pen, and use a knife to cut off the extra tube.
Make a notch on the plastic tube on the plastic tubes to hold the wire through these plastic tubes. Finally, use glue to fix the plastic tubes on the surface of the second circle.
Turn the mushroom cap upside down, use paper glue to apply paper to its underside, then cut stiff paper measuring 5.91x0.79 inches (15x2cm), and stick it around the underside of the mushroom cap.
Turn the mushroom body upside down, continue to fold the excess part of the rectangular strips, and stick them to the mushroom cap with paper glue.
Connect the wire to the LED strip and wrap it in a circle from the center out for the next 3 or 4 turns. Use paper glue to secure these strips.
Connect the LED strips to the wire branch on the mushroom cap by soldering them to ensure a good connection.
Then use tweezers to bend LED strings into smaller pieces to fit the round holes in the plastic tube on the mushroom hat.
To make the base for your cardboard magic mushroom lamp, cut out two 7.87 inches (20cm) squares and four rectangles measuring 7.87x0.79 inches (20x2cm) to stick around the rectangle.
Insert the mushroom stem through the round hole in the first square. On the top of the mushroom stem there are pieces of paper that we notched in the first step. Use scissors to cut into small rectangles.
Then, use paper glue to stick the rectangle in the middle of the second square (the one with the surrounding rectangles glued) and then press it firmly into this second square. You can use more glue to make them stick to the base more tightly.
Cut a small rectangular groove at the base of the bottom square to secure the wire. Insert the LED driver into the mushroom body.
Thread the end of the LED driver through the groove you created. Next, cut a hole in the rectangle (in the square base you glued on earlier) to neatly thread the wire through, keeping everything organized.
Now place the first square on top of the second square. Then use paper glue to stick around the edges to make the base more sturdy.
Apply Synthetic resin adhesive to the mushroom's stem and base. Then, tear the tissue paper in half into two thin layers, stick one layer, and slowly rub it over the glue layer just applied. Then, apply another layer of resin adhesive to the first tissue layer and stick the second layer of tissue paper on top of the first layer.
Continue to apply a layer of resin adhesive to the mushroom's cardboard surface. Take small pieces of paper and stick them on this layer of glue.
Then continue to apply a layer of glue to this layer of paper. Use tissue paper to cover the entire surface of the mushroom. Because this layer of tissue paper has divided the electrical holes, use a box cutter to cut gently.
Then, leave the mushroom for 1 day and use white Acrylic colors to repaint the mushroom cap, stem, and base. You can use any paint color you like to paint the rest of the base and the surrounding edges for a more beautiful color.
Take the plastic lampshade from your LED bulb. Take the PVC pipe you used earlier and place it into the lampshade. Use a marker to draw the shape of the pipe, marking where you will need to cut. Carefully cut these round holes so that they fit snugly into the openings of the mushroom.
Place these plastic-shaped round holes on the round hole on the mushroom lid, and apply glue around them so that they stick tightly to the corresponding hole on the mushroom lid.
Finish assembling the lamp, test the light, and enjoy your festive cardboard magic mushroom lamp with our guide on how to make a lamp out of cardboard!
If you’re feeling confused by any of the steps mentioned, check out the video below for a helpful visual guide on how to make a lamp out of cardboard with mushroom lamp idea!
You can also find many other creative ideas about how to make a lamp out of cardboard, such as making lamps using vases or books. Be sure to check out our article below!
Now that you know how to make a lamp out of cardboard, you’re ready to bring these creative ideas to life! With just a few materials and easy steps, you can design a unique lamp that adds warmth and personality to any room. Dive into this fun DIY project and enjoy the cozy, handmade glow it brings to your home!
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If you’re wondering how to make a lamp out of cardboard, this fun and easy DIY project is just right! It’s a budget-friendly way to light up your home while letting your creativity flow. In this guide, you’ll find five unique ideas with step-by-step instructions to create beautiful, custom lamps. With just a bit of […]
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