DIY Chandelier | Modern Chandelier for Dining Room

How to create and build your own DIY chandelier for your modern dining room.

So I hear you’re shopping for a modern dining room chandelier! 

Maybe you’re tired of your dusty, outdated lighting fixture or you want something to coordinate with your new, modern decor scheme.

Well, before you start mapping out all the lighting showrooms in your neighborhood, why not take a new approach this time?

Let me tempt you with an opportunity to design your own chandelier and unleash your own creativity and style! 

Here’s a simple electrical tutorial with cool lamp parts from an online store that has every design you could possibly dream of.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

Let me warn you first: electricity can be a scary thing if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

If you are comfortable with minor electrical work, this will be a quick and easy project. 

If you’re not familiar with wiring, this is not a difficult project but I would recommend you doing some research on how to wire before continuing. Even better, consult with an electrician or a licensed professional for help with building or installing this light fixture.

Let’s get started!

THE COST?

This modern chandelier cost me around $110 for all the materials and shipping charges. And you only need two basic tools – a screwdriver and pliers!

This chandelier was inspired by the Build Your Own 5- Light Chandelier at West Elm that cost about $255 to buy. And I would say that’s a pretty good savings. 

If you want to change the look slightly, you can buy fixtures in a different shape or finish. Find something that you like and follow the instructions below to make it all come together. 

SIDE NOTE: I purchased all my materials from Grand Brass so I will link to each item on their website but also provide the item number just in case the link doesn’t work.

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Build the Light Arms

Start by unwinding the porcelain light sockets wire.

Take the 3” pipe and feed the wires through the pipe. 

Unscrew the screw on the light socket to allow you to thread the pipe onto the socket. 

Tighten the pipe onto the socket then retighten the screw on the light socket.

Next, take a socket cup and feed it through the wire until it rests on top of the light socket so that it hides the white porcelain. 

Take a straight armback and feed the wire through the holes of this fitting. 

Tighten the fitting onto the 3” pipe. You will notice that the wires will start twisting around inside the fitting. 

Next, take the 10” pipe and thread the wire through this pipe. 

Secure the pipe to the last fitting. 

Repeat this step until you have five other arms for the light. 

Attach the Light Arms to the Body

To attach the arms together, you will use the cluster body.

Start by detaching the bottom and top of the cluster body by unscrewing the pieces. 

Take one arm and feed the wires of this arm through one of the side holes of the cluster body.  

Attach the arm to the body by threading the pipe to the body. 

Continue attaching the arms to the cluster body in the same way. 

After all the arms are attached, tighten the arms until everything is level if placed on a flat surface. 

Then, flip the light upside down to screw on the slotted plug to hide the opening at the bottom of the body. 

Wire the Lights

Rest the light on a flat surface so you can start wiring the wires together. 

I’m not going to give you a complete walk through of how to wire the pieces together because Grand Lamp Brass has a great video on how to do this. 

But to give you the basics, I connected all the black wires plus the extra black wire together, securing them with a wire cap. Then, I wired all the white wires plus the extra white wire together, securing them together with a wire cap.

Then, I  inserted the top of the cluster body through the newly added white and black wires and tightened the top to the body.

Finish assembling the light fixture

Next, take the 14” pipe and feed the wires through the pipe. Attach the pipe to the body. 

To assemble the canopy of the light, take the 1” nipple and straight cylinder coupling. Thread the nipple through the coupling until it is threaded halfway through the coupling. 

Feed these through the wires and attach to the 14” pipe. 

Next, feed the canopy through the wires until it is sitting on the nipple.

Then, feed the 1” washer, slip star lock washer, and hex head nut onto the wires. Make sure you are feeding them in that order. 

Tighten the hex nut onto the nipple with your hand, then slightly tighten with pliers.

Install the light 

Now that you have the complete structure, you’re ready to install the light fixture to the ceiling. 

Wasn’t that easy?! This particular design is light, industrial and gorgeous when you add the light bulbs. 

And the next time you want a new lighting fixture, go shopping for the parts and make your own instead!

FULL PROJECT VIDEO:

Are you someone that does better with visuals? Check out the full project video below and don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss out on future projects!

I hope this project will help you create a beautiful modern chandelier for your dining room.