Let’s face it—finding a good gift can be brutal. Especially for someone who seems to already have everything (looking at you, Mom). Every year, I rack my brain trying to come up with something unique that won’t end up in a closet collecting dust. And that’s when I stumbled upon a $3,111 plaster lamp online. Gorgeous? Yes. Budget-friendly? Nope. So, I did what any DIY-obsessed person would do—I made my own version. And honestly? It turned out better than I expected. Here’s how you can make one too.
Materials Needed
- Insulation Foam Board: For creating the mold.
- Cement (White): Durable, cheap and easy to work with for the lamp body.
- Fine White Sand: Helps smooth the cement mixture and make it stronger. You can skip it and the lamp would look more like it’s made of plaster.
- Paint colourant (Beige or Your Choice): Adds a soft, warm tone to the cement.
- Decorative Light Bulb: Choose one that suits your interior style.
- Lamp Socket and Cord: Easily found in hardware stores.
- Flexible Tubing (Gopher): To create a channel for the wire.
- Small Foam Cylinder or Pool Noodle Piece: To maintain space for the socket.
- Primer: To seal and finish the lamp surface.
- Acrylic Paint: To customize the socket or other details.
- Hot Glue Gun: For assembling and sealing the foam mold.
- Craft Knife or Box Cutter: To cut the foam board into shape.
- Mixing Bucket: For preparing the cement mixture.
- Sandpaper (Various Grits): For smoothing and finishing the lamp surface.
Why I Switched from Plaster to Concrete
Let me tell you, my original plan for this lamp did not include concrete. I had every intention of sticking to plaster—just like the fancy $3111 version I was inspired by. But sometimes, life (and DIY) has other plans. When I started mixing the plaster, I quickly realized I was in over my head. It dried faster than I could blink—seriously, I didn’t even have time to pour it into the mold. One minute I was happily stirring, and the next, I had a rock-solid block of plaster stuck in my mixing bucket. Not exactly the smooth, luxurious vibe I was going for. Let’s just say I had to take a moment to reevaluate my strategy.
That’s when I turned to concrete. It gave me more working time, and when mixed with fine sand, it created a smooth, creamy texture that was easy to pour and shape. Once it set, the concrete added a weight and durability that plaster simply couldn’t match. In the end, it was the perfect choice—practical, forgiving, and it gave the lamp a gorgeous, high-end finish. Lesson learned: sometimes the backup plan is the real MVP!
Process Of Making The Lamp
Start by cutting strips of foam board. The strips should be taller than your lamp's final height—I went with 11 cm for a 9 cm deep base. Sketch out the shape of your lamp directly on the foam board (pro tip: use a cardboard template to trace—way easier to adjust).
Glue the pieces together with a hot glue gun, but be careful. Too much heat can melt the foam! Seal all the edges to keep the cement from leaking out.
I also added a little hack for the wiring: a piece of pool noodle inside a section of flexible tubing (a.k.a. gopher).
This created a clean channel for the cord and kept everything neat.
For my mold, I mixed 4 kg of white cement with 1 kg of sand and 2 liters of water. (Usually I mix in 1:1 ratio, but I didn't have more white sand on hand). Stir, stir, stir. Add pigment to the mix—beige worked great for me. If I could redo this, I’d dissolve the pigment in water first. It clumped a bit, but hey, it still turned out fine.
Pour the mixture into your mold slowly and evenly. Don’t rush! I tapped the sides to get rid of air bubbles and avoid weird voids in the final product.
Once the mold was full, I let it sit for about 13 hours before unmolding. Cement hardens faster than you think, but give it time to fully cure. When I took mine out, it was firm but still a little damp—perfect for trimming rough edges.
This part is so satisfying! I smoothed the surface with sandpaper, rounding off sharp corners. I also used sanding paper for hard to get places.
Covering mistakes isn't that hard.
For a more polished look, I sealed the cement with two coats of primer, letting each layer dry completely before moving on.
Now for the fun part: assembling the light. I painted the visible parts of the socket with acrylic paint to match the lamp base, then threaded the cord through the channel I created earlier. A dab of hot glue secured the socket inside the base. Screw in your bulb, plug it in, and bask in the glow of your masterpiece.
Cut small squares or circles of felt and attach them to the bottom corners using a strong adhesive or peel-and-stick felt pads. These will prevent the lamp from scratching surfaces and add stability.
Not only does this lamp look straight out of a high-end boutique, but it’s functional too. I realized it works perfectly as a bookend—hello, multitasking decor! Imagine curling up in a cozy chair with your favorite book, your DIY lamp glowing beside you. It’s the perfect vibe.
Not bad for $15, right?.
A Lamp That Looks Like a Million Bucks (But Costs Just $15)
There’s something truly satisfying about taking an idea that feels out of reach—like a $3111 lamp—and turning it into something just as beautiful (and maybe even better) for only $15. Not only does this DIY project save you a small fortune, but it also gives you the creative freedom to make something completely unique and tailored to your home. This lamp is proof that you don’t need a massive budget to achieve a high-end look. So, if you’ve ever looked at a designer piece and thought, “I could probably make that,” let this project be your motivation.