It is safest to consult an electrician before DIY-ing pendant lighting installation. Electricians can give you insight on the safety and security of your electrical connections. But it is accurate to say that do-it-yourself pendant lights are fun to make. Pendant lights are a clever way of reinventing your area. How you style your space tells a lot about yourself. You can make it romantic, metal, sweet or crazy. 

 

The emerging trend and fun to dabble in is reusing, recycling and repurposing materials. This is not only beneficial for the environment but also a fun learning project. These dangling lights are reminiscent of pendants on necklaces as they are the trinkets of the design scheme. Making a theme out of your area for a celebration, a room, a hole in a wall or a personal corner.

 

Recycle, reuse, repurpose

Upcycling and repurposing materials like tin cans, colanders, colourful yarns, bowler hats and the more challenging to create plastic spoons, soda and beer tabs as shades to your pendant lights. These and more can be used as shades, the more colourful, the better. 

 

Basic parts of a pendant light

Plug – usually the end of an electrical object inserted correctly to a socket to connect to a circuit. It can either be made from plastic or rubber for safety.

Cord – an electrical cable with insulation that joins an appliance to an electricity supply.

Line switch – an instrument for controlling the connection in an electrical circuit.

Ceiling hook – a medium to heavy duty hook to safely hang or suspend anything on the ceiling.

Socket – a fitted receptacle where a bulb is usually inserted into. 

Shade ring – a light fitting for pendant lights to securely install shades.

Shade – the decorative part of a pendant light

 

The internet is crammed with DIY projects to upcycle in the reuse, repurpose, recycle theme like these:

Reusing old household items

Transforming common household objects

Upcycling Ideas to transform your old stuff

 

The colours of the cords and the other basic parts can be made to match the shade and the feel of the room that you want. A residential electrician can best guide you on the requirements and specifications necessary for your pendant lighting installation so that your area remains safe from fire or outages. Remember, safety first!