DIY Hanging {Drum} Light Fixture

{DIY Hanging Drum Light Fixture}

Below is what we had hanging over our table before. It doesn't look so bad in the picture, but I think it's because you can't really tell what it looks like. I was never too happy with the way it looked in the room and always wanted something much lighter and brighter.

I had been on the lookout for a {replacement} option for this light fixture for quite some time, but a lot of my options were just too expensive. Since there was no real need to replace the light, I really didn't want to spend a lot of money on a replacement. Rewind... the hubby didn't want to spend ANY money on a replacement... so we came to a compromise. The other day I stopped into Garden Ridge while I was running errands. I wondered down the lamp isle and one of the lamp shades caught my eye. It's a shade they have carried for a while now, and I had seen it before and always liked it. I just never had a lamp large enough for it to fit. But this time I knew exactly what I could use it for. My new fixture for over our table!! It was just the perfect size too! I was a bit worried it might be too small, but it ended up being just the right size. And it was only $19.00! Now that's a price I can handle!

To be able to hang the shade, we needed a light kit. We found ours at Lowes for maybe around $15.00. This is actually meant to plug into the wall, so we had to modify it a bit. Just cut it off however long you need it to hang from the ceiling. You'll see below that the plug and switch is what we cut off. Then split and connect the wires as if you would a normal hanging light.

 

What you will need:

- Lamp Shade

- Light conversion kit

- Chain

- Spray Paint (I used a combo of black textured paint and black matte paint)

Step by Step:

1. Take down your old light fixture and keep it close by. You might need to use some of its parts for the new light.

2. Spray paint all your hardware the same color. I also spray painted the cord from the light kit along with the little converter piece too.

3. Once it's all dry, thread your cord through the chain and start piecing together the hardware. 

4. Screw on the shade onto the converter.

*  We actually had to use two pieces of hardware from our old chandelier. It was the top piece and bottom piece that connected the chain. By using these two pieces, there would be no weight put on the actual cord. The weight is now all on the chain instead.

So what do y'all think? It's a fun little change, and only about $40 for the entire thing. Hope y'all enjoyed!!