How to Make a Wall Lamp (sconce)
by EYSpace in Living > Decorating
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How to Make a Wall Lamp (sconce)
![Wall-Sconces - facebook.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F6W/GHE7/HEXSS5CI/F6WGHE7HEXSS5CI.jpg&filename=Wall-Sconces - facebook.jpg)
![Wall sconces wood.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F8F/VONY/HEXSMOHE/F8FVONYHEXSMOHE.jpg&filename=Wall sconces wood.jpg)
![Wall Sconce - panel side view close up.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F5E/DRAE/HET1EU50/F5EDRAEHET1EU50.jpg&filename=Wall Sconce - panel side view close up.jpg)
![RG-Ep-13-Supplies.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F4W/MOW9/HET1AQ7E/F4WMOW9HET1AQ7E.jpg&filename=RG-Ep-13-Supplies.jpg)
![RG-Ep-13-Tools.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FAK/R68R/HET1ETDA/FAKR68RHET1ETDA.jpg&filename=RG-Ep-13-Tools.jpg)
I wanted to design and make wall lamps (sconces) that could work in my rental apartment and that were easy to customize to fit any look I wanted. The result are these inexpensive wall lamps made in 2 parts, the base and the shade. I love the fact that you can make a custom lamp shade to work with any decor and that you can easily change it if your tastes change over time. I've designed a lamp shade you can make with poster board and cover with fabric, wallpaper or panel material and I've also designed one made with wood edging. Regardless of the shade, I recommend only using LED light bulbs with these lamps.
Because the wall sconces are made with a plug-in light kit with a switch, you can install them on a wall or on a wall panel without having to deal with electrical wiring – perfect for renters!
Here are the materials you'll need and I've attached pics of the tools and supplies needed to build the lamps:
Base (for 1 wall sconce)
12” x 12” aluminum sheet $7.50
Candelabra light kit (clip-on socket & switch) $6.00
Panel lamp shade
8” wood embroidery hoop $1.50
Poster board & ribbon $2.00
Panel material (IKEA ANNO SANELA) N/A
Long prong silver brads (1 bag = 30 brads) $2.00
Plastic corner guard (2 ft) $1.00
Wood lamp shade
8” wood embroidery hoop $1.50
Iron-on pre-glued birch wood edging (3/4”) $6.50
Long prong brads (1 bag = 30 brads) $2.00
Plastic corner guard (2 ft) $1.00
Making the Base: Step 1
![How to make a wall lamp template.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FZH/FRJO/HET1ETDI/FZHFRJOHET1ETDI.jpg&filename=How to make a wall lamp template.jpg)
Making the Base: Step 2
![Cutting the base.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FHF/86ED/HET0ZT3X/FHF86EDHET0ZT3X.png&filename=Cutting the base.png)
Making the Base: Step 3
![Chisel the slots.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJQ/Z1MJ/HET1ETON/FJQZ1MJHET1ETON.png&filename=Chisel the slots.png)
![Slots done.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F6Q/3U2G/HET0QZVS/F6Q3U2GHET0QZVS.png&filename=Slots done.png)
Making the Base: Step 4
![taking out middle piece.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FVR/L33I/HET1ETQL/FVRL33IHET1ETQL.png&filename=taking out middle piece.png)
![Lift middle piece.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F3B/7FWC/HET0ZT5Q/F3B7FWCHET0ZT5Q.png&filename=Lift middle piece.png)
![Put in light kits.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FZB/OYGC/HET0RNV0/FZBOYGCHET0RNV0.png&filename=Put in light kits.png)
![Finished base.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FA3/M1J8/HET0YB2F/FA3M1J8HET0YB2F.png&filename=Finished base.png)
Here's a link to a video of this entire process for making the base: http://youtu.be/PLZB8IgSBUw
How to Make the Panel Lamp Shade
![Wall Sconce - panel side view close up.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F5E/DRAE/HET1EU50/F5EDRAEHET1EU50.jpg&filename=Wall Sconce - panel side view close up.jpg)
These wall sconces are very light and you can install them directly on a wall using 3M command strips or you can install them on a wall panel to hide the cord and the switch (with this option, you can use a wireless wall mounted switch and plug-In receiver.
How to Make the Wood Shade
![Wall sconces wood.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F16/VIAZ/HET1EU4O/F16VIAZHET1EU4O.jpg&filename=Wall sconces wood.jpg)
These wall sconces are very light and you can install them directly on a wall using 3M command strips or you can install them on a wall panel to hide the cord and the switch (with this option, you can use a wireless wall mounted switch and plug-In receiver).