DIY Tripod Floor Lamp

This post contains affiliate links, FYI. For my complete disclosure policy, please click HERE.

So, you may remember that we’ve decided to find a new friend for Hank, our rescued 10-year-old Golden Retriever. (I promise – I’m getting to the DIY tripod floor lamp part…bear with me.)

Hank Dog - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

We believe in adopting rescued dogs, whether from a rescue group or a shelter.

They rescue you right back.

Bear and Hank rescue dogs / thediybungalow.com

This is the third year I’ve participated in the Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals. Here’s how it works: The wonderful Jeanette of the blog Country Design Style gets a bunch of animal-loving DIY and home bloggers together. We each go to a thrift store whose sales benefit animal rescue and we buy something to transform. Then, we transform the piece and show you the finished product.

I headed to my favorite thrift store, Second Life Thrift. Here’s what I started with:

surveyors tripod from Second Life Thrift for Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals / thediybungalow.com

It’s a wooden surveyors’ tripod. That’s right – it’s marked at $4! I knew it would make the perfect DIY tripod floor lamp.

I had seen tripod floor lamps before and always wanted one, but not for $469, which is what this one costs, from Pottery Barn:

Pottery Barn tripod floor lamp

Instead, I bought the tripod, a lampshade, and a lamp kit at Second Life for a grand total of $20.

Materials needed to make tripod lamp / thediybungalow.com

You can also find lamp kits at your local hardware store or on Amazon here (<–affiliate link).

Here’s how to make the DIY tripod floor lamp.

First, make sure that you have an adapter that fits into the tripod opening. The lamp kit I used had three different-sized adaptors, and one worked. The adaptors are usually rubber or plastic and can be adjusted or manipulated to fit.

Follow the instructions on the lamp kit, which are usually straightforward. If you don’t know how to tie an underwriter’s knot, just google “how to tie an underwriter’s knot” and there are several videos. It’s easy, I promise!

lamp kit for tripod lamp / thediybungalow.com

You should end up with something that looks like that, above.

Add a bulb and a shade and you’ve got yourself a lamp!

How to build a tripod lamp / thediybungalow.com

tripod lamp underside view of lamp kit / thediybungalow.com

How to build a tripod lamp / closeup of lamp / thediybungalow.com

It's easy to make a tripod lamp. Here's how to make one from a surveyors tripod found at a thrift store! / thediybungalow.com

If you want to make a tripod table lamp (rather than a floor lamp), please see this tutorial.

And, if you are in the market for a new furry friend, please rescue one. I’d be happy to answer any questions about rescued animals – I’ve both worked for rescue groups and adopted rescued dogs.

Please check out all the bloggers participating in this benefit:

Thrift Benefit Graphic 2015

My DIY tripod lamp has been featured here:

Featured at Think and Make Thursday

 

Featured at Knock Off Decor

43 responses to “DIY Tripod Floor Lamp”

  1. Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} Avatar

    LOVE this! Yours looks every bit as high end as the pricey one – well done!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Julie!!

      Like

  2. Jeanette Avatar

    Thank you Karen for joining on our third year! I’ve been wanting a tripod lamp, but the prices! What a great find and makeover. Pinning!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thanks, Jeanette! Thank you for hosting this amazing and fun event and for including me each year!

      Like

  3. Paula@SweetPea Avatar

    What a great find and you made the perfect lamp from it. Yours looks every bit as awesome as the Pottery Barn one.

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar
  4. Tammy Avatar

    Looks great…I love these type of lamps..great find

    Like

  5. Christina Avatar

    This is fabulous! I can’t believe you made that fabulous lamp for $20-It looks like it’s right out of magazine
    My new thrift mission find a tripod- lol
    Cheers!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you!! You are so sweet!

      Like

  6. Christina Avatar

    PS Your dogs are so precious!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar
  7. Meegan Avatar

    Oh my goodness. I like YOURS even better. So smart, fashion forward and inexpensive. That’s my kind of project.
    I can’t believe that you found it for $4. What a steal!
    Thanks for sharing and for showing us Hank. 🙂

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar
  8. Karen Avatar

    Great job! Your tripod lamp scores an A+ Pottery Barn could take some lessons from you! $469. What materials could possibly cost that much? Thrift store, rummage sale, tag sale, yard sale recycling DIY-ers rule!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      LOL – thank you!! #DIY4eva!

      Like

  9. Deborah Avatar

    She shoots, she scores! GREAT FIND! I LOVE IT!!!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar
  10. Robin Avatar

    now THAT’S AMAZING!!! I just sat here with my mouth open…way to go!!!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Robin!!

      Like

  11. kathy burgess fabre Avatar
    kathy burgess fabre

    What a great lamp and for a great cause. My little Chewy, rescued pekingese/yorkie is a precious pup and has made a wonderful friend.

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Awww…I love it! Thank you!

      Like

  12. Meagan B. Avatar

    This is awesome Karen! I’m super jealous that you were able to score that base for $4!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar
  13. Jennifer {Brass & Whatnots} Avatar

    Love, love, love this lamp!! And your doggies! So sweet! 🙂

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Jennifer!!

      Like

  14. Lucy @ Patina Paradise Avatar

    Another deal of the century! Your lamp looks every bit of gorgeous as the high dollar one. Thanks for stopping by earlier today! :o)

    Like

  15. Steph @ The Silly Pearl Avatar

    I have never seen those tripods for $4! What a great price! And your project turned out great. I would love one of these lamps!
    Your pups are adorable!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Steph!!

      Like

  16. Dharma Avatar

    I work in Engineering and when my boss retired he gave me an antique survey tripod from the early 1900s he had kept in his office for 40 years. I had absolutely no idea I could pull this off and I wanted to thank you for the guts and inspiration to do it! I’ll be hunting for a lamp kit soon 🙂

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Wow – that is too cool! Good luck!! I included a link to Amazon where you can get a lamp kit, FYI. Email me if you have any questions, m’kay? I would love to see the finished product!!

      Like

      1. Dharma Avatar

        Thanks! I may have to take you up on that! Cheers Karen!

        Like

  17. […] you believe how cool this lamp turned out? Karen from Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza shows us how to save hundreds and make our own Pottery Barn Lamp knock […]

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    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you for the feature!!

      Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Paula!!

      Like

  18. Susan Homeroad Avatar

    Great job Karen! I made the same one a few years ago and it’s one of our favorites!

    Like

  19. Sadie Seasongoods Avatar

    Found you on Blogtalk- I am an animal lover and always seek out pet charity thrift shops for my project parts and for my Junkin’ Journey posts. I would LOVE to participate in the next Thrift Benefit Blog Hop, if you’re looking for more upcycling bloggers!!

    Thank you!
    Sadie Seasongoods

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Sounds good! I will pass that along!! That would be awesome! Thank you!!

      Like

  20. Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl Avatar

    Love it! And love that you saved $449 in the process. Who pays those insane prices anyway?

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thanks! Seriously. $449 for a lamp?!? Thanks for hosting the link up!

      Like

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I’m Karen

I’m a recovering lawyer. Join me on my DIY and organizing adventures!