Learn how to turn an inexpensive basket into a beautiful chandelier with free step-by-step basket chandelier hack instructions by Shanty2Chic.
After searching high and low for the perfect chandelier for my daughters room, I decided to DIY one! I was looking for a rattan style shade but everything I found was very pricey so, I decided to check out the basket section at Hobby Lobby and design my own chandelier! Come see how we turned this $29 basket into a beautiful, custom-looking chandelier!
How to Turn a Basket into a Chandelier
Tools
Supplies
Basket
CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE FREE PLANSThe Build
Step 1 – Cut the Handles off the Basket
Use a pair of nippers to cut the handles off of the basket.
Step 2 – Cut the Hole for the Light Socket
Remove the bottom piece that screws onto the socket. Center it on the bottom of the basket and trace around the socket.
Use a forstner bit to drill a pilot hole large enough to fit a jigsaw blade in.
After drilling the pilot hole, use a jig saw to cut the circle out. This part does not have to be perfect.
Hang the Chandelier
NOTE: This is not a how-to for wiring a light. If you are not familiar with electrical wiring, we suggest hiring a professional. Before hanging the chandelier make sure that the breaker is turned off.
Step 1 – Attach the Bracket
Once we had the breaker turned off, we attached the light bracket to the electrical box.
Step 2 – Attach the Wires
Then, we attached the white, black and ground wires to each other with the twisties.
Step 3 – Attach the Plate
We tucked the wires inside the electrical box and attached the ceiling plate to the bracket.
Step 4 – Attach the Basket
Once the ceiling plate was attached, we put the light socket through the hole on the bottom of the basket and screwed the bottom piece on, to hold the basket in place.
That was it! Such an easy and inexpensive project!
I love my daughters new chandelier more than anything I found in stores and I was able to DIY it for a fraction of retail prices!
How to Turn a Basket into a Chandelier
Tools
- Drill
- Jigsaw
- Nippers
- Electrical Crimpers
- Forstner Bit
Supply List
- 1 Basket
- 1 Corded Light Socket
Instructions
The Build
- Use a pair of nippers to cut the handles off the basket.
- Remove the bottom piece that screws onto the socket. Center it on the bottom of the basket and trace around the socket.
- Use a forstner bit to drill a piot hole large enough to fit a jigsaw blade in. After drilling the pilot hole, use a jigsaw to cut the circle out. This part does not have to be perfect.
Hang the Chandelier (Note: This is not a how-to for wiring a light. If you are not familiar with electrical wiring, we suggest hiring a professional. Before hanging the chandelier make sure the breaker is turned off.
- Once we had the breaker turned off, we attached the light bracket to the electrical box.
- Then, we attached the white, black and ground wires to each other with the twisties.
- We tucked the wires inside the elctrical box and attached the ceiling plate to the bracket.
- Once the ceiling plate was attached, we put the light socket through the hole on the bottom of the basket and screwed the bottom piece on, to hold the basket in place.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Let us know if you try this basket chandelier hack.
Happy Building!
Tell me about those curtains! Cute!