Welcome, fellow DIY enthusiasts and home decor lovers! If you’re anything like me, you adore the unique, eclectic style of Anthropologie, but your wallet often disagrees with their price tags. The good news? You don’t have to break the bank to infuse your home with that coveted Anthropologie charm. Today, I’m thrilled to share a project that brings high-end design within reach: a beautiful DIY stacked wood lamp, meticulously crafted to mimic the elegance of an Anthropologie original, but for an astonishingly low price of just $40! Prepare to be amazed as we transform simple wood slices into a functional piece of art that will elevate any room.
You might recall that last year, I enthusiastically participated in the “Knock Out Knock Off” series, a creative challenge where talented bloggers recreate designer pieces for less. {Click here to revisit my previous knock-off triumphs}! The excitement returns this year! For the next four months, I’m honored to join an incredible group of skilled bloggers in the 2015 “Knock Out Knock Off” series. Each month, we’ll unveil stunning DIY alternatives inspired by beloved retailers like Anthropologie, Land of Nod, CB2, and Crate and Barrel. This month, our spotlight shines brightly on Anthropologie-inspired projects. Get ready for a dose of serious inspiration! And remember to scroll to the end of this post to discover the brilliant creations from my fellow participants—you won’t want to miss them!
My admiration for Anthropologie runs deep—a soul-level kind of love, if you will. Their distinctive aesthetic, bohemian flair, and curated collections always captivate my imagination. However, purchasing an item from Anthropologie is a rare indulgence for me, often occurring only once in a blue moon due to their premium pricing. So, when I first laid eyes on their stunning stacked wood lamp, I was instantly smitten. The organic texture, the modern silhouette—it was everything I desired for my home. But the nearly $600 price tag (and that’s without a lampshade!) was a firm no-go. Determined to bring this design home without the hefty cost, I embarked on a mission to create my own DIY version. And the result? A truly remarkable replica that cost me a mere $40! Prepare to learn how you can craft this exceptional piece yourself and add a touch of high-end style to your space without overspending. This post contains some affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Craft Your Own: Essential Materials for a DIY Stacked Wood Lamp
Creating this beautiful Anthropologie-inspired stacked wood lamp is a surprisingly straightforward process, especially once you’ve gathered all your supplies. The key to its organic, rustic charm lies in the natural birch wood slices. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need to embark on this rewarding DIY journey:
- Birch Wood Slices (3-4 inch diameter): These form the core aesthetic of your lamp. I personally recommend these specific slices from Amazon. The price can fluctuate, but when I purchased mine, 20 slices cost around $24.99. Keep an eye on pricing, as you might find even better deals! For a standard table lamp, you’ll likely need 15-20 slices, depending on your desired height. Look for slices that are relatively flat and uniform in thickness for the best stacking results.
- Lamp Kit: A complete lamp kit simplifies the electrical components and ensures safety. This lamp kit from Amazon provides all the necessary wiring, sockets, and hardware. Make sure it’s compatible with standard light bulbs.
- Lamp Harp or Uno Lamp Shade Adapter: The choice here depends on your lampshade. Most lampshades require a lamp harp, which is a metal frame that supports the shade. Alternatively, if your lampshade has an Uno fitter (a ring that screws directly onto the lamp socket), you’ll need a Uno lamp shade adapter.
- Wood Glue: A strong, quick-drying wood glue is essential for securely bonding the wood slices together, ensuring your lamp base is stable and durable.
- Drill and Drill Bits: You’ll need a power drill and various drill bits. A longer, thinner bit will be useful for creating the initial wire channel, while a wider bit will be needed for the central holes in the wood slices, sized to accommodate the lamp rod.
- Optional: Wood Sealer or Varnish: To protect the natural wood slices and enhance their longevity, consider applying a clear wood sealer or varnish, especially if your lamp will be in a high-traffic area or exposed to potential moisture.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your DIY Stacked Wood Lamp
Now that you have all your materials ready, let’s dive into the exciting part: constructing your very own Anthropologie-inspired stacked wood lamp. Take your time with each step, and remember that precision will lead to a beautifully finished product.
Step 1: Preparing the Base Wood Slice for Wiring
The foundation of your lamp requires a special channel for the electrical cord. Begin with your chosen bottom wood slice. You’ll need to drill two holes that meet in the middle to create a horizontal tunnel for the lamp cord to exit the base. First, drill a hole into the SIDE of the wood slice, aiming towards the center. Stop drilling once you’ve reached approximately the middle of the slice. This creates the exit point for your cord.
Step 2: Completing the Cord Channel in the Base
Next, drill a second hole from the TOP center of the same wood slice. This hole should meet the first hole you drilled from the side, effectively creating an L-shaped tunnel. This ingenious design allows the lamp cord to run vertically through the stacked slices and then exit horizontally from the base, keeping your lamp stable and tidy. Ensure the hole is wide enough to comfortably fit your lamp cord.
Step 3: Threading the Lamp Cord Through the Base
Carefully thread your lamp cord through the newly created tunnel in the bottom wood slice. Push it through the side entry point, guide it upwards through the central vertical channel, and let a generous length emerge from the top. This initial threading ensures that your base is properly prepared before you begin stacking the other wood slices.
Step 4: Preparing and Stacking Remaining Wood Slices
For all the subsequent wood slices, you simply need to drill a single hole through the center of each one. This central hole should be sized to allow the lamp cord and the threaded rod (from your lamp kit) to pass through easily. Once drilled, begin threading these prepared slices onto the lamp cord, one by one. Continue adding slices until you reach your desired lamp height. Experiment with varying the orientation of the slices slightly as you thread them to create a more organic and visually interesting stacked effect, similar to the Anthropologie design.
Step 5: Securing the Threaded Nipple
Once you have all your wood slices threaded onto the cord and stacked to your preferred height, it’s time to install the threaded nipple, which is a key component for attaching the lamp socket. Carefully screw the threaded nipple into the topmost wood slice. You’ll want to secure it firmly but leave approximately 1/4 inch of the nipple exposed above the wood slice. This exposed portion is crucial for the next steps in assembling the lamp socket. (Note: In my original attempt, I included a washer here, but later removed it. Feel free to experiment with a washer if you feel it adds stability, but it wasn’t essential for my final design.)
Step 6: Assembling the Lamp Socket Hardware
With the threaded nipple in place, begin attaching the various components of your lamp kit. The next piece to secure is a collar-like part from your lamp kit, which typically screws onto the exposed threads of the nipple. This piece forms the base of your lamp socket assembly. Follow the instructions provided with your specific lamp kit for the precise order of parts, as they can sometimes vary slightly.
Step 7: Wiring the Lamp Socket
Now comes the electrical connection. Carefully push up the metal and cardboard casing of the lamp socket to reveal the internal wiring terminals. Connect the wires from your lamp cord to the appropriate terminals within the socket. Typically, one wire goes to the brass screw and the other to the silver screw. If you’re unsure, consult your lamp kit’s instructions or a basic wiring guide for safety. Once the connections are secure, gently push the metal and cardboard casing back down into place, covering the electrical components. Ensure no bare wires are exposed.
Step 8: Finalizing the Socket Placement and Cord Management
Once the socket is wired, gently push the entire lamp socket assembly firmly into its designated place, screwing it onto the collar piece attached to the threaded nipple. Make sure it’s snug and secure. At this point, pull any excess lamp cord through the bottom of your lamp base. This helps to create a taut and professional appearance, preventing unnecessary slack and ensuring the lamp stands steadily.
Step 9: Gluing the Wood Slices for Stability
To permanently secure the stacked wood slices and give your lamp a robust base, you’ll need to glue them together. Start by sliding your wood slices down the cord, away from the top, creating a gap of about 8 inches. This allows you access to the upper slices. Begin applying wood glue to the top surface of each slice, working your way downwards. Press each slice firmly onto the one below it, ensuring proper alignment. Once all slices are glued, allow ample time for the wood glue to dry completely, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This step is crucial for the lamp’s structural integrity.
Step 10: Adding the Light Bulb and Lampshade
The final touches bring your DIY stacked wood lamp to life! Screw in your chosen light bulb. Then, depending on your lampshade type, attach either a lamp harp (which typically clips onto the saddle of the lamp socket and supports the shade with a finial) or a Uno lamp shade adapter (which screws directly onto the lamp socket threads, beneath the bulb). Select a lampshade that complements the rustic, organic feel of the wood base—a linen, burlap, or simple white drum shade would look fantastic. Plug it in, and admire your handcrafted masterpiece!
That’s it! Isn’t the finished lamp absolutely beautiful and incredibly rewarding to have created yourself? It effortlessly captures that high-end, bespoke look for a fraction of the cost.
I hope you’re as thrilled with this DIY stacked wood lamp project as I am! It’s a testament to how creative ingenuity can bring expensive designs into your home without the exorbitant cost. This piece adds warmth, texture, and a touch of organic modernism to any space, making it a true statement piece. If you found this tutorial inspiring and plan to try it yourself, please consider saving this project for future reference. Pin it to your favorite DIY or home decor boards on Pinterest, or share it with friends and family on Facebook to spread the joy of budget-friendly design!
Before you go, I urge you to explore the other phenomenal projects cooked up by my talented friends in this month’s “Knock Out Knock Off” series! Each blogger has put their unique spin on Anthropologie-inspired decor, and you’ll find a wealth of ideas and detailed tutorials waiting for you. Below the graphic, you’ll discover direct links to all their amazing creations. Simply click on any link to visit their blogs and get the full scoop on their DIY masterpieces!
Rustic Modern Wall Hanging by Upcycled Treasures
DIY Jute Wrapped Vanity by The Gathered Home
Geometric Pendant Lamp by Delineate Your Dwelling
Bamboo Knife Block by Bigger Than the Three of Us
Hand Painted Floral Ring Dish by Brave New Home
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