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Turn cardboard egg-carton cups into flower-shaped covers for an LED string light, then arrange them on a wire frame for a playful handmade lampshade. The Singapore Housing & Development Board’s Green Living Guide describes a triangular version using four 30-egg cartons and one 100-light LED string; those are that project’s quantities, not requirements for every design.
Choose a frame and gather materials
Two published designs offer different shapes and ways to support the lights. Pick the one that suits your materials and the look you want:
| Frame option | Finished shape | Materials and light attachment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grill-frame structure | Triangular | The HDB guide uses grill frames secured with thin wire and attaches a 100-light LED string. It specifies four 30-egg cardboard cartons for its project. | Singapore Housing & Development Board Green Living Guide |
| Chicken-wire cylinder | Cylindrical | A Pretty Life in the Suburbs wraps chicken wire into a cylinder and uses floral wire to secure the lights. Its tutorial lists about nine cartons and one 100-light LED string as its own project quantities. | A Pretty Life in the Suburbs |
For either approach, gather cardboard cartons, LED string lights, wire or a wire frame, scissors, a craft knife, and—if you want colored petals—acrylic craft paint and a brush. Follow the light-string maker’s instructions when choosing and handling the lights. Neither tutorial establishes that every combination of string, frame, paint, and homemade assembly is compatible or safety-tested.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE DIY LAMPSHADE KIT 12 x 8 INCH – Make your own custom drum lampshade at home with this beginner-friendly no sew kit. Includes 2 white metal lampshade rings, pre-cut white self adhesive styrene liner, red and white double sided tape, wooden finishing tool, and illustrated instructions. Finished shade size is 12" diameter x 8" high.
- ADD YOUR OWN FABRIC – Fabric is not included, giving you full creative control over the final look. Use about 10" x 40" of lightweight cotton or linen fabric to create a floral, modern, vintage, boho, kids room, or statement lampshade that matches your home decor.
- SELF ADHESIVE LAMPSHADE BACKING – The included 8" x 38" white stick it lampshade liner gives your fabric structure and creates a clean inner lampshade finish. Just peel, press, and smooth your fabric onto the self adhesive lampshade backing. No sewing, heat tools, or professional lampshade making experience required.
- SPIDER FITTER RINGS FOR TABLE LAMPS – Includes white top spider fitter ring and bottom support ring to create a classic drum shade for most standard table lamps that use a harp and finial setup. Ideal for replacing an old shade, refreshing a bedside lamp, or upgrading a plain table lamp base.
- RELAXING ADULT CRAFT PROJECT – A satisfying DIY home decor project for craft nights, girls night activities, weekend decorating, or handmade gifts. Turn meaningful fabric, vintage textiles, or leftover material into a lampshade you can actually use and display.
Cut and shape the carton flowers
- Separate the cups from the carton with scissors. Trim each cup into petal shapes; make the edges rounded or pointed to suit your design.
- For a layered flower, use carton tips as smaller inner petals, following the HDB guide’s approach. Check that the pieces sit securely together without blocking the opening where the light will pass.
- Use a craft knife carefully to cut an X into the bottom of each cup. Keep the cup on a stable surface and cut away from your hands. The opening should fit over a light without forcing or damaging the string.
Hallmark’s DIY Egg Carton Lighting Display also describes placing lights through the carton cups.
Paint before assembly
Paint the inside and outside of the petals if you want color. Acrylic craft paint is one option used in egg-carton craft instructions, including Hallmark’s lighting display. Let every piece dry completely before putting it over the lights or attaching it to the frame.
Rank #2
- Package includes 4 rings to create 2 lamp shade - 2 x top rings with US style spider fitter and 2 x bottom plain rings
- Top lamp shade ring is brass plated
- Bottom lamp shade ring is galvanized
- Each ring is 8" Diameter and 3.55 mm wire. Top ring has a 7/16" fitter designed to attached to a lamp harp (harp not included)
- Application: Kit is used to create a drum / cylinder lamp shade, using your fabric of choice (fabric not included).
Build the shade and arrange the lights
- Form the frame into your chosen shape. For the HDB-style triangle, secure grill frames together with thin wire. For the alternate design, shape chicken wire into a cylinder and fasten the seam with wire.
- Arrange the LED string along the frame, securing it with thin or floral wire as appropriate to the construction. Keep the lights and wire positioned as directed by the light-string manufacturer.
- Push each carton flower over a light through its X-shaped opening. Space the flowers to suit the frame and desired coverage; the tutorials do not prescribe one universal spacing pattern.
- Before switching the string on, check that the cups are dry, the frame is stable, and no cup or wire has damaged the light string. Use the finished piece only in the manner permitted by the light-string instructions.
Keep the project to LED string lights
The HDB Green Living Guide says: “To ensure fire safety, use LED lights because they will not become hot when switched on for long hours.” Treat this as the guide’s recommendation for its project, not a guarantee that every LED string or homemade shade is safe. Cardboard is flammable, and neither tutorial reports temperature testing or electrical certification for its finished assembly. Do not substitute candles or incandescent bulbs; follow the selected LED string’s instructions, including any limits on covering, mounting, or use.
For context, Habitat by Resene’s eggshell tea-light holder instructions warn against lighting tea lights while they are in paper, cardboard, or other flammable cartons. That is candle-specific guidance, not an evaluation of this electric string-light project.
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Best Value
- Various Sizes Available: Multiple sizes and different materials are available, including lengths suitable for various lighting retrofit projects, and can be cut to your desired dimensions for customized lampshade creation
- Hands-On DIY Project: Encourages parent-child interaction and develops hands-on skills while creating personalized lampshade products; replace and rescue old, yellowing lampshades by using top and bottom rings from old lampshades or by purchasing new lampshade rings of the required size
- Pre-Cut and Easy to Measure: Drum shade requires length calculated by multiplying diameter by PI (3.14) plus 1 inch; square lampshades require length calculated by (length + width) multiplied by 2 plus 1 inch; bell lampshade requires removing old shade, laying flat on film and tracing with pencil to desired size while keeping 3/4 inch joint position
- Fabric Compatibility: Self-adhesive pressure sensitive backing works best with lightweight to medium cotton fabrics, but can be used with almost any other fabric with minimal effort; cover your lampshade with new fabrics and ornaments to create unique effects with colors, patterns and textures
- Styrene Material Construction: Made from styrene plastic material used in manufacturing high quality lampshades; simply peel the release paper to expose the adhesive backing and attach your chosen fabric or paper to create your unique custom lampshade design
Rank #4
- High-quality material:The lampshade adapter is made of high-quality metal,electroplated surface,rust-proof,not easy to break,durable,and brings you a good experience.
- Package includes:1x black lamp shade adapter.Over all 4.3", 2.1" wide, 1.3cm/0.51" thread on top.
- Perfect for:Suitable for home, restaurant, coffee shop etc. DIY lamp projects, such as table lamp, floor lamp, standing lamp, desk lamp etc.
- Easy to install: The lampshade bulb clip is easy to use and can be directly installed on the bulb, suitable for bulbs with a diameter of 4.5CM to 6CM. The lampshade should not be too heavy
- Elegant polished:This black polished is amongst the most versatile of colours, modern home decoration style, bring you a perfect using experience.
Rank #3
- Size: Diameter: 5.9"/150mm; Internal Diameter: 1.65"/42mm; Height: 1.9"/33mm; Package: Including 4 pieces of lamp shades rings, they can be applied at the top and the bottom of round shaped lamps
- Sturdy Iron Construction: The lamp shades rings are crafted from quality iron for solid and durable, which can withstand the test of time and add a touch of sophistication to your home decor
- Application Versatility: The lamps frames blend seamlessly with various lighting styles. Whether you're revamping a retro table lamp, adding a chic touch to a modern chandelier, or brightening up a wall lamp, these lampshade rings are the ideal choice
- Effortless DIY Installation: These lampshade rings are designed for hassle-free assembly, allowing you to create custom lampshades for table lamps, floor lamps, and pendant lamps
- Minimalist Design: The lampshade ring adopts a drum shaped design that can effectively support the lampshade material. The minimalist design can match different home decor and lighting styles, echoing your decoration style
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
