How to make a concrete lamp. Spectacular DIY loft style lamp

In the 20th-21st centuries, the loft style, the architectural details of which are some kind of factory elements, became popular in the interior. Concrete lamps fit perfectly into this design, not only because of their texture and heaviness, but also because of the cool color, which is also characteristic of this trend. A special one is created for a separate room appearance, shape and size of the chandelier or sconce. This will add personality to the setting.

Pros and cons of such lighting devices

There are different concrete lamps on sale and the advantage is their wide range, strength and durability. In the case when it is made independently, it is also low cost, unique design and the opportunity for self-expression. The downside is the considerable weight of the product, however, this problem is solved by reliable fastening. Not only chandeliers, sconces, floor lamps for the home, but also lamps for the street and garden are successfully made from concrete. Japanese lantern Popular with gardeners, it is traditionally made of stone, but can be replaced with concrete.

TOP popular manufacturers of concrete lamps

Garage Factory from Kazan.
28Code in St. Petersburg.
Lamp Art Studio from Vladivostok.
Concert. fun in Krasnoyarsk.
Bet-On.by from Minsk.

How to make a concrete lamp with your own hands?

First you need to decide on the shape and color of the product, then make a sketch and prepare necessary materials.

Having decided on the installation location of the future lamp, think about its style, shape, size, color. It is advisable to make a sketch, it will help you understand what additional elements will be required. It is possible to mold concrete into an interesting pattern or create a beautiful texture, or sand it to a smooth surface. By using special dyes You can change the color of the product and create multi-color compositions. Experienced designers offer the optimal algorithm of action.

Tools and materials

Material or template for formwork.
Concrete or cement mixtures.
Polyethylene film.
Sander or sandpaper or stone.
Fastening.
The wire.
Cartridge.
Screwdriver.
Self-tapping screws.
Dowels.

Stages of work

Depending on the size of the future lamp, it is necessary to make formwork, for example, from plastic bottles.

The creation of a lamp begins with the construction of the formwork. Depending on the style and size of the intended product, materials are selected for this purpose. Yes, these could be plastic bottles, Balloons, old lampshade, container unusual shape or a specially created plastic structure. At this stage, it is important to provide a place for fastening; if it is a metal tube with threads on both sides and nuts for it, then we immediately insert it. Next, we prepare the concrete and fill the formwork with it.

If production involves “coating” the mold with concrete, mix the appropriate consistency so that the solution is not too liquid.

Then the concrete is tightly wrapped in polyethylene and left to dry for a day. After 24 hours, open the product and remove the formwork, if necessary, allow it to dry further. The finished lampshade should be removed without difficulty. After drying, use sandpaper or a sander to smooth out all the unevenness, and, if you were thinking about smooth surface, sand with a felt wheel.

After finishing work on the lampshade, you need to start fixing it. These could be bolts, springs, threads or a pressure ring. The only condition is that the mount must be strong to support the weight of the product. All that remains is to connect the wire, install the cartridge and, using a screwdriver, self-tapping screws and dowels, secure it in the designated place. If desired, you can further decorate it. Original idea suggested on the Diy-That's Simple video Concrete Lamp channel.

Designers have increasingly begun to use concrete as a material to create lamps and chandeliers. Despite the heavy weight and coldness, such concrete products suitable for any interior. To do this, it is enough to give the cement a suitable shape, decorate it gracefully, and paint it in the color of gold, silver or copper. If you have some skills and knowledge, you can create cement lamps with your own hands. This will require a minimum of materials and time. Below are a few notable methods.

Lighting fixture made of cement using a package

For creating original lamp required:

milk carton to create formwork;
plastic bottle for attaching a light bulb;
dry cement mixture to create a suitable shape.

Size cardboard box is not of fundamental importance. It all depends on how big the lamp should be. The main thing is that the package is waterproof, since excess moisture concrete loses its strength characteristics. The folded edges of the box need to be trimmed and a plastic bottle placed in it. The structure should be secured with bolts that are threaded into holes previously made with a nail or screwdriver. To maintain the waterproofness of the bag, the joints should be lubricated with sealant. Like this in a simple way a form is prepared for pouring concrete.

The dry mixture should be diluted with water according to the instructions on the packaging in which it is sold. It is important here not to pour in excess water. The thickness of the filling should be similar to cookie dough. It is recommended to add water in portions so that every particle of cement gets wet. The finished mixture must be thoroughly mixed twice. When the desired consistency is achieved, the prepared form is filled. When laying concrete, it is important to compact it well so that voids do not form. At the end, you should thoroughly shake the future lamp. These actions will remove residual air.

The utensils and tools used must be immediately cleaned and thoroughly washed to remove concrete. Otherwise, you will have to throw everything away when the mixture hardens. The finished form is left for two days, as the concrete needs to set. Then the packaging is removed and the bolt is unscrewed. To make concrete lamps look original and the light to be more diffused, you can drill several holes in them. A socket with a light bulb is inserted into the prepared form from a plastic bottle, the wires are connected to the switch, and the product itself is hung from the ceiling or on the wall.

Lamp using a bottle (hanging)

Making a concrete lamp using a bottle.

Other, no less interesting, are suspended concrete lighting fixtures. The products are easy to make with your own hands. To do this you will need a strong cement-sand mixture with stone or gravel as a filler, a small amount of water, an outlet, a cord, a switch, wood screws, two plastic bottles different sizes, lamp socket, auxiliary tool in the form of a knife, drill, threaded tube.

At the first stage, bottles are prepared. The bottom is cut off and holes are drilled for a threaded tube. The cartridge is fixed with nuts and screws on both sides. In this way, a form for a concrete lamp is prepared. After this, you can begin mixing the cement-sand mixture. When the mixture is ready, use a spoon to fill the mold, lightly squeezing from the edges. This is done in order to release unnecessary air and distribute the mixture evenly.

After the concrete has hardened, the plastic is cut off with a knife and the screws are removed. Since the concrete will have a rough shape, it is recommended to sand the surface with 120-grit sandpaper. The last step is to connect the cord through a metal tube to the socket and to the switch. Finally, it is important to check the fastenings thoroughly so that they can support the significant weight of the concrete. Concrete ceiling lamps are made in this way.

Concrete lighting fixtures for the garden look very good. They not only fulfill their main purpose, but also perfectly decorate the space. You can make them quite easily with your own hands, just follow the instructions below.

At the first stage, formwork should be made from a plywood sheet 1.2 cm thick. It is important to design the mold so that it is easy to disassemble at the end. It is recommended to open the components of the mold with varnish. This will help in the future to separate it from the hardened concrete without damage. If you repeatedly open the formwork with varnish, the finished concrete lanterns will acquire a corresponding shimmering shine.

At the second stage, it is important to carefully consider the wiring method. Two versions are offered:

Use corrugated plastic pipe as internal formwork.
Making a wire mold from pieces of foam.

The second method is more acceptable, since the weight of the lantern is reduced and cement is saved. The polystyrene foam can be joined together using special glue. After the concrete hardens, the material is easily separated. If pieces remain in hard-to-reach places, there is always the option of using acetone. As a solvent, it easily corrodes foam.

Formwork for a lamp made from a milk carton.

At the third stage, the internal formwork is created. For its manufacture, plywood or cardboard is used. It is important that the wall thickness is more than 2.5 cm. It is recommended to use a trapezoid as a shape. This formwork is easier to remove, especially if you pre-treat the walls with oil. Foam grooves for the wire are laid in the opening.

The cement mixture can be prepared from a ready-made dry mixture, but it is allowed self-cooking composition. For the second method, it is recommended to use M500 cement in a ratio of 1:3 to sand. Gravel or granite chips. One part of this filler is enough. Add water until the mixture is neither too dry nor too wet, with the consistency of cookie dough. This will be the fourth stage.

At the fifth stage, the formwork is filled ready-made mixture. To do this, first the cement is placed in hard to reach places so that the edges of the lamp are even and smooth. Then the rest of the formwork is filled. To do this, it is recommended to use a vibration machine, with the help of which the mixture fits more tightly into the mold.

To prevent water from escaping from the concrete and for it to gain strength, after pouring and compacting it must be covered plastic film. The future lamp is left in this form for at least three days. However, it is recommended to wait longer for the cement to become sufficiently strong. After the holding time has expired, the formwork is removed, finished surface polished and the light bulb is connected.

To make an original lamp with your own hands, we will need:

1. Cement + sand.
2. Electrical wire and socket
3. A plastic mineral water bottle of 2 liters and a thinner one of 1 liter.
4. Tube with thread and nuts. This tube can be purchased at lighting stores, or taken from an old chandelier.
5. Self-tapping screws

First, you need to pick up plastic bottles for mineral water or any other drinks. A 2-liter bottle will serve as the external shape of the lampshade, so if the bottle has different embossings, they will be imprinted on the lamp. A 1-liter bottle must be chosen without embossing (smooth), but of such a diameter that an energy-saving lamp can fit inside.

After we have made our choice, cut off the bottom of a 2-liter bottle.

Drill holes in the lids for the metal tube

Use nuts to tighten the covers on both sides to hold them in place. The distance between the caps should be twice as large as the distance between the walls of the bottles.

Use self-tapping screws to secure the shape.

Prepare cement mortar (ready cement-sand mixture or cement and sand in a ratio of 1:2) and fill out the form. The consistency of the concrete should be thick, then the surface of the lamp will be smooth. If the solution is more liquid, then many small shells will appear on the walls.

It is worth considering that when the solution is thicker, it may not fit tightly, and voids will form. Therefore, it is necessary to compact the solution with a stick after each filling. You can use available vibrating means (hand massager, etc.). After the solution is poured and compacted, you can unscrew the screws and carefully compact it again so that the center is not disturbed.

After the cement has dried (1 week in the shade), remove the bottles, but you must act carefully, since the cement is still fragile and can easily damage the front part.

Sand all edges of the lamp.

All that remains is to connect the socket to the lamp. I would like to note that hanging a lamp on a wire is very risky, and sooner or later the weight may crush the wire. Therefore, I recommend using a decorative chain for hanging.

Decorative lamp, made with your own hands, is ready to decorate the interior.

You can make two-color lamps. To do this, prepare in different containers cement mortars made of white and gray cement. After this, they are mixed together for a few seconds (but not allowed to mix until the color is uniform), and poured into molds. Additionally, you can use colored dyes for concrete using marble-from-concrete technology and make fancy patterns.

Good luck to you in your creativity.

Among home craftsmen, the most popular consumable material is concrete, from which you can make a wide variety of interior items, for example, decorative lighting fixture. This building material is quite easy to use and is inexpensive. Lamps made of concrete are quite heavy, but this does not affect their functionality. Such decorative items fits perfectly with any design solutions

when decorating the interior of premises. With help concrete mortar

designers create interior items of a wide variety of shapes, paint and decorate them with additional accessories, give the product shades of gold, silver, copper and others. It is important to note! Concrete illuminators self made experienced designers

are quite expensive. Therefore, not everyone can afford to decorate their home with such an exclusive piece of furniture.

To save your home budget, you can make such a lighting item yourself.

Step-by-step instructions for making a lighting fixture

Step 1

It is necessary to release the milk carton and trim its folded edges.

Step 2

Next, a plastic bottle is inserted into the box and drilled through them through hole. To make this easier, it is recommended to first make small holes in these places using a nail or knife.

Step 3

It is necessary to insert a bolt into the resulting hole and secure it securely.

Important! Concrete luminaires must have a sufficiently sealed housing. It should not allow moisture to pass through. Therefore, the areas where the package meets the bolt must be sealed with sealant.

Step 4

Prepare the cement mixture in accordance with the instructions from the material manufacturer. IN in this case The main thing is not to add excess water. The finished solution should resemble cookie dough. In this case, the mixture must be thoroughly mixed so that there is not a single dry grain.

Step 5

The free space between the bottle and the bag is filled with concrete mixture (it must be pressed well - there should be no hollow areas). To get rid of the formed air bubbles, the workpiece must be thoroughly shaken.

Important! Immediately wash the container in which the cement mixture was prepared, otherwise, when it sets, it will be quite difficult to remove it.

Step 6

The product must be given time to dry - the concrete must set well, that is, all moisture must leave it. This may take approximately two days. After this, the milk carton is removed and the bolt is unscrewed.

Step 7

In the resulting concrete blank for the illuminator, you need to drill holes of the same or different diameters.

Step 8

A light bulb is placed inside the case, wiring is made, and a connection is made to the switch.

This unique concrete lighting fixture is ready for use!

DIY concrete light using plastic bottles

No less unique are concrete lamps made from two plastic bottles of different sizes.

Consumables

Two plastic bottles of different sizes.
Light source.
Cartridge with cord.
Cement mixture.

Tool

Electric drill with drills.
Self-tapping screws for wood.
Sharp knife.
Threaded tube.