DIY cordless lamp that is also battery-free. Read that again.
The making of my cordless and battery free lamp – full DIY
How many times have you thought to yourself while pulling a space together, “you know what would look great here? A lamp!” But, then you remember that, um, you need to be able to plug it in? Because there is that minor detail of, you know, power. And who likes seeing cords or, worse yet, extension cords? Not me, that is for sure. I LOVE the ambiance a lamp light creates, don’t you?
I’ll tell you, as a designer, I’ve thought more times than I could count that I wish there was a lamp that didn’t need a cord. I was styling my kitchen and I thought, a little lamp would really look cute all set up here in my decor. But to find a cordless lamp was next to impossible and to find a good looking one was impossible!
I considered doing the whole puck light thing, but, could not justify the amount of batteries I would add to the landfill, nor the cost for said batteries. So, I didn’t do it, but my stubborn, little brain just kept thinking about it and thinking about it. I mean, there had to be a way to make a cordless lamp. Once I get an idea in my head, I just can’t shake it. And then after a power outage during the early part of February, one of our darkest and coldest months here…I had a lightbulb moment, if you will.
Creating the lamp
But let’s not put the light source before the lamp. First, let’s talk about creating your lamp.
I had some fun with this old table leg. But, really, you could use any fun piece of wood to create your cordless lamp! For these two:
I used an old table leg I had in the basement. Nothing like having everything you need on hand for a good DIY project.
It was part of a piece of furniture given to us by an old co-worker of mine. Tom, the lovely man that he is, cut it down to the two different lengths for me. One is 10″ and the other is 16″ in height. That gave me two lamp bases with which to create my cordless lamp.
I had some old shades on hand that I ended up using, but you can pick up a lampshade at Walmart for a great price.
I’ve linked a couple for you here and here.
To make the hole I needed in the top of the lamp base, we used a 1″ bit and drilled about 1” down into the wood.
This is what it looks like:
The shade on the 10″ one just sits on top of the base like this:
For the 16″ one, we drilled (and by we, I mean Tom) two holes on either side to secure the harp. Did you know this piece is called a harp?
I definitely didn’t, but the things you can learn from google when you have to sound like you know what you’re talking about: infinite.
This is what the lamp base top looks like. I wanted something rustic and chippy. I mean, who wouldn’t?
The first thing I tried to use as a light source for my cordless lamp was a solar outdoor light.
You know, one of these things:
It worked, but it did not give off nearly enough light to make it even remotely useful, and the light kind of lit up the lamp shade in a funny way. I didn’t love it.
When at first you don’t succeed, try again!
I felt a little defeated, to be honest with you. I mean…I could use it, but I knew there had to be a better way to DIY a cordless lamp – something I just wasn’t thinking of yet.
(If you like a good DIY before and after you can also check out our bathroom reno on a budget ).
And then, another bright idea! (you see what I did there? I’m here all week, folks).
Alright, I know you are cringing as I harp on and on (okay sorry, I’m done).
Here’s the big secret:
You can purchase these here and they are not even expensive! A win win in my books!
And the best part — you can make your own cordless lamp like I did, using any interesting piece of wood, a candle stick holder, etc., or you can simply take a lamp that you already own and (be brave here) cut the cord off of it. Because(cue the heavenly choir) you will not be needing that cord.
Genius, right?
The bulb I chose is the GE-LED+ 8W A21 Battery Back-up Bulb with a frosted finish. It’s equivalent to a 60W bulb and has the softest, white light. I ordered two bulbs so I can have one charging all the time in a regular lamp, as each bulb will last 8 hours lit without power.
At night when I want to create that little bit of ambiance in the kitchen, I just turn on that switch on the bulb and I have a cute little lamp on my island that, lo and behold, actually works — with my decor AND without a cord. Not only does it create the perfect “MOOD” but the cordless light is also completely functional lighting. I really couldn’t ask for anything more! Well…maybe a nice glass of wine to go with the pretty lighting. Is there wine?
For another fun DIY project, check out my post on how to stencil staggered floor tiles or even How to Whitewash a Stone Fireplace.
That is fantastic, I have to work on this idea. I have a specific spot half way up my stairs that I would love to have a little lamp. Soooo excited.
It will work wonderful! I’m so happy with ours. Sure what you end up doing as I’d love to see it.
Kara.
Definitely a bright spot on this dull day …lol…well done..an excellent idea and a very clear tutorial so thank you very much …I think I might have a go at this too… Happy Easter to you and your family
Thanks Janet!! I can’t wait to see what you do. So glad you enjoyed it.
Enjoy your night.
Karan
Absolutely awesome! I can’t wait to do this. You are amazing, as usual!
Thank you so much, I’m so glad you like it! ❤️❤️❤️
That’s just genius Karan! What an awesome idea. 💡💡💡 👏👏👏
Total light bulb mine forgot 😂. I’m so glad I figured out how to make it work!!
❤️❤️❤️
Can’t believe we had t thought about this earlier! Love how it all came together.❤️
Beautiful!
My immediate entry area has no outlets (???) … this will be perfect!
Thank you!
Yes! It will work wonderful there.
Does the bulb need to be removed to be charged? Thx
It does. I’ve used mine for a week and haven’t had to charge it yet. I have two I keep one in an electrical lamp and when this one needs charging I’ll just switch them.
Another great idea!!! Looks great Karan
Thanks Kate!
So clever!!!
Thank you!
Omggggggg genius. Love the idea. Blog is so well written and engaging. I chuckled at your puns
Thank you! We had a lot of fun with this one. ❤️
😲 I had no idea such bulbs existed!! My gears are spinning with possibilities!⚙🧠💡🤓
So many ways to use them!! Share when you do
Absolutely brilliant!! Oh my gosh, Karan! I love this, and I’m going to try one for my next project! It’s so pretty and perfect for the island. Love love love it! xoxoxoxo
You need to send this idea over to deb and danielle. They have beautiful wooden lamps in their bathroom . I asked where they got them and ofcourse they made them. This is a wonderful idea for a bathroom where there arent alot of electrical sockets. I have my grammas kitchen table in my dining room, it is an antique but I just keep looking at their legs. Just kidding but I am going to get some wooden legs and make ths lamp.
I did! Thank you.
OK, this is just brilliant!!! (Iike 60 watt brilliant….sorry) Ordering the bulbs and preparing an old table leg and chunky wooden candlestick! Excited for this project. Thank you! 😊
😂😂🙌🏼
Share with me what you do!!
That is the best idea I have seen and never knew about those particular lightbulbs. Thanks so much for sharing, pinning for later.
Thank you Sonya. It was a puzzle to solve and so glad o figured it out! So many styling possibilities.
OMG!!!! Thank you! My parents need a light in their living room where there is no plug nearby. They are on a limited budget and we’re considering buying a $500 rechargeable lamp. This is a MUCH better option and we can replace all their bulbs with this feature for safety during power outages AND to ensure they always have a lightbulb fully charged!
So excited I found this thank you for your problem solving skills!
Yay!! We have them throughout our home!! So glad you found my blog.
Karan
This is just the idea I never came up with! Thank you so much for sharing! It will be my next project as Covid restrictions have me trying to create something new. Thank you again. Love following you and seeing what you are up to.
Ps…could these light bulbs (cordless battery backup) be purchased at Home Depot? Have a wonderful day🌞
I’m so glad you like it!! I really enjoy the light on my island.
I haven’t seen them there but home hardware has them.
I need a 30 inch nice living room table cordless lamp. I Can’t believe the only one I found was $500.00. Rooms are larger today my furniture sits in the middle of the room
You oils so easily make your own!!!
Can you turn it on/off with a switch or remote?
There is a switch right on the bulb.
I love this idea and want to do something like this on my fireplace mantel. Do you have a link to this particular bulb? I’m not seeing it in the collection of bulbs on the Wayfair page. Thank you for a great idea!
Here you go
https://rstyle.me/cz-n/gqvv2ub9f67
Well this is just brilliant. Your lamps are great looking! We have 15 lamps on our main floor alone, so clearly a lamp fan. Most excited about the bulbs. Hate it when the power goes out so with be buying these for sure.
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it!! We use these all the time. If you use my link I do get a very small stipend.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Oohh this is too cool! I’d never even heard of bulbs like this, they seem very clever in general but the potential to use it for a cordless lamp is simply genius, will defo have to give this a go!
I am very anxious to try this bulb as this would solve all kinds of lighting issues for me in my old house where electrical outlets in hallways and on outside walls are non existent. A couple questions though, since I am not electrically savvy. First, when charging these bulbs in an regular lamp, does that fixture need to be turned on for a full 10 hours to charge the bulb? And secondly, I notice that the bulb has two positions, lamp mode and flashlight mode. I don’t see an off position. You say in your piece that you remove the charged bulb from the regular lamp and just turn on that switch and place it in your lamp. Which switch? Does it need to be on the flashlight setting to use? I hope I’m not sounding too dim witted here, but I’m a tad confused as to how this works. I’m sure I will be totally embarrassed when you explain the obvious to me…..
Lamp mode only works with electricity. I’ve never had it on in my lamp for 10 hours. I just use the lamp as usually and then switch when the next one runs out.
So, it’s in a regular lamp and then I need to take it out of the regular lamp (leaving that lamp dark) and put it in my hallway lamp each night when I need the light there? Is that right? Seems like that will just never happen for me😕
I have 4 of these hills and I just trade them out. I love being able to have a lamp on my island and the ambiance it gives, well worth the 3 seconds to trade a bulb out.
So did you just put the bulb in the wooden hole? I missed that part of the tutorial.
I did.
So do you have to change the bulb out every day with the charged one, that sits in a corded lamp? I’m confused about how to use this bulb daily ….. ?
I only use it a couple of hrs a night and change it out about every third night.
I love the rechargeable light bulb as you don’t have to replace batteries!