Style Without Breaking the Bank - You Light Up My Life

A key fundamental in design is that lighting can transform a space. It can set the mood, it can make a statement, and...it doesn't have to break the bank. Pendant lights in particular have the ability to give the "Wow" factor to a space. Here are three spin offs of designer pendants that you can make at home.

Below is a designer shade (I apologize but I can't find the original source of the designer shade.). It's kind of a beautiful mess of felt swirls. Design*Sponge has a great (and EASY) d.i.y. for this fun pendant light. The only items you'll need are a $9.99 lamp from Ikea, white felt, scissors and a hot glue gun. The d.i.y. knock off is created with layered white felt circles.

Designer

D.I.Y

(Photo courtesy of Design*Sponge)

Hanging colorful drum pendants is a great way to add interesting color and texture to a space. Sometimes that pop of color is all it takes to wake up a room. The designer picture are shades from Room & Board, and each shade costs $449.00! The d.i.y. picture is a drum shade that has been transformed into a pendant light. The appropriately named "Lampshade Lady" gives clear how-to steps for creating this piece of art. Make sure you take note that she recommends the use of an electrician for installation!

Designer

(Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

D.I.Y.

(Photo courtesy of The Lampshade Lady)

The final example is a spin on the modern shades that are constantly gracing my the local Design Within Reach storefront windows. They are modern, fresh, work in almost any space, and they will cost you $435.00. The d.i.y. is an incredible creation from Instructables. Using a stencil, you trace and cut out pieces that you fir together in this grown up version of a old school geometry project.

Designer

(Photo courtesy of Design Within Reach)

D.I.Y.

(Photo courtesy of Instructables)