Lighting is an integral element of home life and also an opportunity to express your personal style. DIY light fixture projects can be both exciting and satisfying; whether you prefer glamorous touches or rustic charm.
Before beginning, it is crucial that you switch off power to the area you will be working in using a circuit breaker or fuse. Once this step has been taken, follow these steps for successfully installing your new fixture:
Design Your Fixture
Be it hallway wall sconces, dining room pendant lighting or industrial pendants – designing your own fixture is an amazing way to personalize your home and add an individual touch. To make sure your project goes as smoothly as possible, the first step should be developing a lighting plan – this involves drawing an accurate floor plan of each room while listing how your family uses each area throughout the day and marking areas needing additional ambient light or accenting artwork or architectural features using spot lights.
An industrial look is an increasingly popular trend that’s easy to emulate when making homemade light fixtures. Pipe decor kits make it simple for anyone to craft their own individual fixture designs, with as much or as little structure needed as desired. WednesdayCarnival illustrates this technique using recycled pipes and connectors to craft an artistic light fixture that would complement modern or rustic decor perfectly.
Wire Your Fixture
Installing a new fixture requires following the manufacturer’s instructions to mount it securely on its mounting plate. Make sure the light bulb and cover are in their respective places before tightening any screws marked “Ground.” If your fixture features a bare ground wire, connect it to its separate screw (usually marked as such on its base) and tighten. Having such an independent wire helps dissipate heat generated by faults more effectively and could potentially prevent fires.
When working on a ceiling light, having someone assist can be invaluable – specifically someone who can support and offer tools and parts as needed. Have your helper also switch off power at the circuit box so that when shutting off one circuit it does not correspond with an active light bulb circuit. Also consider screwing a platform onto your step ladder so you have an additional surface for work when working overhead.
Install Your Fixture
Are you looking for something a bit more hands-on with your DIY project? Consider making an industrial pipe fixture. This versatile design element is simple enough for beginner DIYers and can fit seamlessly into many decor styles. Start by purchasing a pipe decor kit, adding pieces until your desired shape has been reached, then connecting all the pieces using connectors, elbows and flanges until all necessary shapes have been reached. Once complete, follow light manufacturer’s directions on how to attach it to a junction box and install a light bulb.
Before working overhead, be sure to turn off the power at your circuit breaker and have someone on hand who can support you on a ladder and hold wire nuts, screws, and tools if needed. Wear work gloves, safety glasses and a non-contact voltage detector when undertaking electrical projects in order to prevent shock or electrocution.
Test Your Fixture
Before installing any new fixture, always conduct a continuity test with a multimeter or noncontact voltage tester to make sure there are no live wires present and that there are no unexpected voltage spikes that could shock when they come in contact with skin. This will also ensure there are no shock-inducing voltage sources nearby that might shock when touched directly by accident.
Ascertain that your wire connectors are of adequate size; stranded wire may clog the threads of a connector and prevent it from tightening properly, leading to any possible tightening issues. Be sure to cut off any twisted ends before attaching new wires.
Lighting is one of the most noticeable components in any room, and an effective way to express yourself creatively. DIY projects allow you to transform fixtures without breaking the bank; check out this tutorial on turning a mason jar into a light or this rustic wall lamp from Jojotastic for some ideas. Two Feet First shows us how one pendant lamp can be given new life by adding leather tassels – find more inspiration there.
