Ikea Hack: How to Create a Concrete Globe Table Lamp For Under $30

By Brittni • posted on 02/14/2024

Ikea Hack: How to Create a Concrete Globe Table Lamp For Under $30

I found this Ikea globe light during one of my (nearly) weekly trips there and it was the perfect shape for a project I’ve had on my list for quite some time. Long story short, I turned it into today’s tutorial for a DIY concrete table lamp that will only set you back about $30. Which makes this project not only easy, but budget-friendly to boot.

I’m in. What about you?

Click through for the step by step tutorial and the budget breakdown…

Ikea Hack: How to Create a Concrete Globe Table Lamp For Under $30

Ikea Hack: How to Create a Concrete Globe Table Lamp For Under $30

Materials

  • Ikea FADO light $20
  • sharp blade or boxcutter
  • marker
  • dowel rod that is 3/4 – 1 inch wide (does not need to be very long though) $2
  • rapid setting concrete mix $5
  • cooking spray
  • small to medium size plastic container (that fits the base of the light, like this)
  • smallish trash bin (also from Ikea) $2
  • separate bucket or large container (that is okay to get messed up)
  • water
  • trowel or large wooden spoon for mixing

Instructions

1. Find a small to medium size plastic container that fits the base of the Ikea light, but is smaller than the trash bin. I used a round Ziploc container like this one, without the lid. Remove the lid and trace the dowel rod in the center of the container, as shown in photo.

2. Cut out the circle that was created, with a sharp blade or box cutter. Place dowel rod inside hole. Set aside.

3. Next, add the cement mix to a bucket, and stir in water with towel or large spoon. You’ll need 4 parts cement to 1 part water. Mix well but work fast – rapid set really does set up fast!

4. Spray the inside of the trash bin with a little bit of cooking spray and spread around evenly with a rag. This will make it MUCH easier to remove from the trash bin once hardened.

5. Pour the concrete mixture into the trash bin, filling it up less than 1/4 of the way. Use your best judgment here – I wanted mine to be about 3 inches high, so I stopped the concrete about an inch lower than that. 

6. Place the plastic container into the center of the concrete, with the wood dowel in the hole that has been cut. Make sure the wood dowel is pressed all the way down to the bottom, so that the concrete will be pushed out from underneath the dowel, creating a hole in the concrete that you’ll need later.

7. Weight down the container and dowel with small rocks or other heavy items. Wait for the concrete to set (1-2 hours should be enough time for it to harden to the point where it can be removed).

8. Next, remove the weights that were added in step 7 and gently start pulling the concrete shape out of the trash bin. I grabbed it by the dowel rod to get a good grip and it popped right out.

9. Then, remove the dowel rod and smaller plastic container from the concrete. If the dowel rod is difficult to remove, try using a rubber mallet or small hammer to push it through the back (being careful not to hit the concrete directly). You should now have a concrete bowl shape with a hole all the way through the center.

10. Then, string the lighting cord through the hole of the concrete bowl and rest the globe inside the concrete bowl. Turn it on and you have a finished concrete lighting Ikea hack!

Ikea Hack: How to Create a Concrete Globe Table Lamp For Under $30

Want more concrete DIYs to try? I was hoping you would because I have more to share…more concrete DIY ideas!

Ikea Hack: How to Create a Concrete Globe Table Lamp For Under $30

Copper desk accessories

DIY concrete lighting

Ikea Hack DIY // How to Create a Concrete Globe Table Lamp

Photographer by Amelia Tatnall and Brittni Mehlhoff
Styling by Brittni Mehlhoff

Think you’ll give this Ikea lighting hack a try? love to know what you think. And for more Ikea hacks, be sure to check out my DIY desk idea made with Ikea cabinets..

10 comments | Click here to reply

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It looks so great.

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Awesome Kalijn. Let me know how it turns out.

Brittni

On my to-make list right now! 🙂

Karlijn

Cool Jen. This would be a fun dorm room project, for sure.

Brittni

What a cool idea! My son is heading off to college in a few weeks and this would be the perfect lamp for the desk in his dorm. I am going to have to make a trip to Ikea so I can make one for him.

Jen V.

Thanks Michelle. I like the juxtaposition of materials too. Happy to hear you like it.

Brittni

Wow, that looks incredible. I love the combination of concrete and glass!
https://www.makeandmess.com/

Michelle
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