DIY: Floor Lamp and Tied Cord 2026

DIY: Floor Lamp and Tied Cord is a super simple DIY project for beginners that can be completed in a few hours with very basic tools.

There we go!

#1: Necessary Materials

Materials:

• (6) 36″ long 1″ square dowels
• (3) 7 inch long 3/8″ carriage bolts
• (1) 3/8″ carriage bolt 3 1/2 inches long
• (4) 3/8″ Wing Nuts
• (4) 3/8″ Washers
• (4) 3/8″ lock washers
• Light cable with plug and socket at least 10' long.

Tools:

• Drill
• Hand saw
• Forstner drill bit (3/8″ and 5/8″)
• Rule

#2: Cut the dowels to size

• The base consists of (3) 18-inch long sections and (10) 2-inch long sections.
• Measure and cut the (3) 18" sections with a hand saw. Attach another dowel to the one you are cutting to act as a cutting guide for the saw.
• This ensures that you get a straight cut. Be sure to support the block to allow room for the width of the saw blade. Measure and cut the (10) 2” sections with a hand saw.
• Sand the edges of the pieces you just cut with a piece of 220-grit sandpaper.

#3: Drill holes in studs

• The main body of the lamp consists of 2 lower vertical brackets that support the upper vertical light bracket. These are joined together by the 3 1/2 inch carriage bolt.
• Measure 1 1/4 inches from the top of one of the bottom uprights. Mark the center of the dowel at this location.
• First drill a 5/8" inch 1/4 inch hole in the dowel with a ranger bit. (The side with the 5/8" hole is where the rounded face of the carriage bolt will sit flush.
• This will be the side of the lamp you choose to face inside the room. When drilling holes in the base in a later step, make sure the 5/8” holes are on the same side as this piece)
• Using the same center as the 5/8" hole, drill the rest of the way through the dowel with a 3/8" forestry bit.
• Use the first dowel as a drilling guide to mark the hole location on the other bottom upright. Drill a 3/8” hole along this second dowel.
• Leaving a 6-inch pendant on the back of the fixture, place the top light bracket upright between the two bottom verticals, and transfer the hole location to the center of this peg.
• Drill a 3/8” hole through the vertical top light bracket.
• On the bottom of the bottom uprights, mark the center of the tenon 1/2 inch from the bottom.
• Drill a 3/8” hole through the bottom of the two bottom uprights.

#4: Drilling holes in the base

• Mark the center of one of the 18-inch base sections that will be placed between the bottom uprights. Drill a 3/8” hole through the center of this section of the base.
• Two of the 2-inch base sections will flank the bottom uprights. Drill a 3/8” hole through the exact center of the first 2” block, and use this as a guide to drill the second 2” block.
• On the 18-inch base section that faces the room, you must first drill a 5/8” hole 1/4 inch deep on both ends and in the center.
• Again, this will allow the head of the carriage bolts to rest flush.
• Mark the hole locations 1/2” apart and center them on each end, and center them on the center of the 18-inch outer base section.
• Drill 1/4″ inch deep with the 5/8″ Forstner bit, then with the 3/8″ bit. Use this first 18-inch section as a drill guide for the other two sections, and drill these same 3/8” holes.
• Mark the center 1/2 inch in on one of the remaining 2-inch blocks. Drill this with the 3/8" drill bit, and this is now your drilling guide for the remaining 7 2" blocks. Drill the remaining blocks in the same location.

#5: Lamp assembly

• Assemble the upright pieces by threading the 3 1/2″ carriage bolt with the bolt head through the 5/8″ outside face hole. Add a washer, lock washer, wing nut and tighten.
• Add the two center-drilled 2-inch blocks to the center section of the base. Add the outer 18-inch sections to both sides of the base and run a 7-inch bolt. Add a washer, lock washer, wing nut and tighten.
• At both ends, add two 2-inch blocks to each side of the 18-inch center section. Pass the 7-inch bolt through the outer 18-inch sections, and all the way. Add a washer, lock washer, wing nut and tighten.

#6: Drilling holes for light cable

Starting 1 inch from the end of the top vertical light bracket, mark a hole in the center of the dowel every two inches.

• Drill these holes for the light cord with a 3/8” drill bit.
• 6 inches down from where the verticals connect mark the holes for the light cord every 3 inches on one side.
• Drill these with the 3/8″ bit.
• Transfer the hole locations to the opposite side.
• Drill these holes too.
• Sand all the holes you just drilled with 220 grit sandpaper.

#7: Apply finish, lace bead, cable connector and plug

• Apply two coats of wipes over poly or finish of your choice.
• Starting at the end, run the light cord through the bottom and top leaving some length for the light to hang.
• Pass the light wire over and under the holes leaving evenly spaced loops on both sides.
• Continue threading the wire through the bottom verticals and out the bottom.
• Connect your light socket and plug according to the manufacturer's instructions. Consult an electrician to be sure.
• Screw in a 40 watt LED bulb and you're done.

#8: Video

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