Hi friends! I hope you are smack dab in the middle of a fantastic weekend! I’m really excited to share my West Elm knock off lamp with you today!
We have been busy DIYers around here, which has paid off because today is the first day of my Knock Off Decor Series and I am so excited about it! One, because it is my first ever series, but also because all of those awkward moments taking photos of the lovely things I see in stores, only to get the stink eye from the people working there will finally pay off! Do you ever do that? I almost always enter a home decor store ready to shop for take pictures of what I can recreate.
West Elm is one of my favorite stores and when I was browsing around in there a few months ago, I fell in love with their wood tripod floor lamp. Then I immediately fell out of love with it because it was $250 bucks. Then I fell in love with the idea of recreating my own very similar one. And so my DIY West Elm knockoff version was born and I’m going to show you how we made it for just under 40 bucks! Isn’t it pretty?
I think I came pretty close to the one that inspired it all don’t you?
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So are you ready to make your own? If you can make a few cuts with a saw and do a little bit of drilling, you can do this project. I’ll walk you through it and give you some little tips along the way so you can avoid some of my mistakes.
Supplies To Make A Tripod Floor Lamp:
- Three 3/4 inch square, 6 ft. long pieces of wood for the legs of the lamp. Get wood that looks nice and smooth especially if you are going to leave it natural like I did.
- 1/4 inch metal cable clips to attach the metal ring at the bottom. (I found these at the hardware store next to the cable wire.)
- a lamp kit
- 6 inch brass nipples (found right next to the lamp kit)
- a pack of nuts and washers for lamp parts (also right next to the lamp kit)
- a 4 inch piece of scrap wood that is about 1 1/2- 2 inches thick to hold the top of the legs together and to hold your light. I used MDF board from the trash can in the back of the home depot.)
- a can of spray paint to paint your metal pieces and the cord. I used Krylon Gold Metallic spray paint
- 3 screws to attach the legs
- a lamp shade and bulb
- the top metal ring of a 16ish inch lamp shade. It needs to be one with 3 prongs like the one in the photo above. (I found mine at the Salvation Army for 3 dollars and ripped out the top ring.)
How to build a Wood Tripod Floor Lamp:
Step 1: Spray paint the top ring of the lamp shade that you ripped apart, 3 cable clips and screws that go with them, and your cord in the color of your choice.
Step 2: Cut each of your wood legs to 55 inches at a 5° angle at the top and bottom making sure that the surfaces of the ends are parallel.
Step 3: Decide the placement of your bottom ring and attach the cable clips.
Have a buddy, hold up your cut legs in the position that they will be on your finished lamp while you hold the ring in place toward the bottom and mark where the cable clips will go.
You want to make sure that your lamp will be steady so be sure that the legs are not too close together. My ring was 15 inches and the ring ended up being 15 inches from the bottom of the legs. If your ring is a little bit smaller, you will need to move it up to keep the tripod wide enough.
Once you have marked where your ring will go, attach the cable clips to the inside side of each leg.
This part gave us a bit of trouble but here is what finally worked.
Step 4: Create a triangle to hold everything together.
Cut a triangle out of your scrap piece of wood that is 3 1/2 inches on each side. Then, mark 3/4 of an inch in from each point on all sides and cut each point off at a 10 ° angle.
Pre drill a hole for the nipple of the light kit in the center of your triangle too. (We didn’t do this and realized that it would be easier to drill this hole before attaching the legs…whoops!)
Step 5: Attach the legs.
It is really important to pre drill your holes and go slow because you are working with small pieces of wood and you don’t want them to split.
So, pre drill holes (at a little bit of an angle) in each side of your cut triangle and each outside edge at the top end of your legs. Then, attach each leg with a screw, going slowly so you don’t split the wood.
Step 6: Attach your bottom ring.
Place your bottom ring into the cable clips and press the clips in with your finger to hold them in place.
Step 7: Assemble the light kit.
Follow the instructions on the package of the light kit to attach it to your tripod lamp. I had the bottom of the 6 inch nipple pretty far down to add detail in the finished product. It will depend on your lamp shade, but you want the lamp shade to just cover the wood triangle part at the top.
Step 8: (optional) Stain your legs.
I rubbed a coat of teak oil on my legs just to bring out the natural color of the wood a little bit. I really liked the natural color though so I didn’t stain them. Plus I like the contrast of the wood tones when it is next to the Rustic Floating Shelves that we built.
Step 9: Add a shade and you are done!
I recovered a large lamp shade that I found at a thrift store for $5. It had a textured fabric on it originally, but I was still able to make it work and I’ll be showing you how I did it later this week.
So here she is in all her beauty! I love the simple details that the metal brings and may I just say this tripod lamp looks perfect against the subtle pattern of the DIY Sharpie Wallpaper!
So what do you think? Did I get it pretty close to the inspiration?
Danielle says
I can’t wait to try this DIY but I’m not sure I fully understand Step 2: Cut each of your wood legs to 55 inches at a 5° angle at the top and bottom making sure that the surfaces of the ends are parallel.
What do you mean 55 inches at a 5° angle at the top and bottom? Are you able to show pictures of it?
Thanks so much!!!
Thanks,
Corey Willis says
Hey Danielle! I emailed my response and included pictures. Hope it helps!
Alison Royal says
Sorry weird question, where’s the wallcovering behind the lamp from? I’m in love.
The lamp looks so great by the way! I want to make it!
Corey says
Hi Alison. Ha! It’s actually not a wall paper but it is a totally inexpensive DIY that is actually really easy. I drew those hexagons on the wall with a silver sharpie. You can read about exactly how I did it in this post.
Anjou says
Your lamp base looks incredible! Kudos!
Any suggestions for substitutes for the 3-prong lamp shade ring? I’m having trouble finding that particular style…
Corey W. says
Hmmmm… that’s hard since it has 3 legs and it needs to come together in the middle. If I think of something in the next few days I’ll let you know for sure.
Pete says
What size brass nipple did you use? 3/4″? 1/2″?
My sister is requesting I make this for her birthday 🙂
Corey W. says
Hi there! What a nice bro you are! The size will depend on the lamp/ light kit that you use. You’ll want them to match in size so that they attach. Have fun! This is a great project!
john condon bathroom renovations says
Many thanks. I appreciate it.
Melody says
This is wonderful. I wonder if you might share how you get a 5 degree and 10 degree cuts. I have a hand saw, I could buy a mitre box , would that do it?
tinysidekick says
Great question. I used a chop saw, but this project could easily be done with a hand saw and yes you would need a mitre box. I’ve used one before and they are really easy to figure out. Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you back 🙂
TidyMom says
oh I LOVE this!!! you did a fantastic job!! I might have to try this when I start working on our basement! Pinning it!
I would love to see you link up to my party I’m Lovin’ It http://tidymom.net/tag/im-lovin-it/
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!
tinysidekick says
Thank you so much! Making a lamp was really much easier than I ever imagined so you should go for it! So happy you stopped by!
emily says
Love this! So cute! Great job!
Emily @ elizabethjoandesigns.com
Joan B. says
I love this! AND I think I will make one too! I have the perfect spot. I may look at adding a painted copper tube or something in the middle to enclose the cord or find a way to make it taut. Just love this and thanks for sharing! Now following on Bloglovin!
Joan B. says
I just love this! AND I think I may try it! However, I would either add a painted copper tube to enclose the cord or run it under the leg or somehow make it taunt. This is genius and so fun! Thanks for sharing!
rea says
Hi Corey, thank you so much for sharing this project over at The DIY’ers last week. I’d like to let you know that this project is on my top three favorites! I’ve pinned it and talked about it on my fb page. Yay!
If you haven’t link up your latest project, come by and join the fun! huggies,
rea
Katie says
Hi Corey! Love this idea!! What a great project! Thanks for linking up at DIY Sunday Showcase yesterday!! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
tinysidekick says
Thanks for the party Katie!
Jennifer Johnson says
This is great. I could use another lamp in my living room!
tinysidekick says
Thanks Jennifer!
Lauren says
Gorgeous! I don’t think I’m brave enough to try a lamp knock off, but just seeing your creativity in this is inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
tinysidekick says
I was a bit scared too Lauren. But it really wasn’t that hard. Just took some patience. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Stephanie@simplyswider says
Love this! Think I’m going to have to try this one myself. Pinning for later………
tinysidekick says
Awesome! I’d love to see the end result if you try it!
Ashley@Biggerthanthethreeofus says
Corey, this is great! Love how your space is coming along. Can I move in? lol
tinysidekick says
That depends…do you do dishes? Haha. Thanks so much Ashley!
Nancherrow says
What a nifty idea! I love how the lamp looks and how close it is to the original. Would love for you to share at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
tinysidekick says
Thank you! I’ll add it to my party page and be there tomorrow! Thanks for the invite 🙂
Amy W says
I love this wonderful West Elm light and you did an excellent job making yours… we must both have WE knockoffs on the brain! Thanks for sharing at our link it or lump it party this week.
tinysidekick says
Great minds think alike! West elm has so many inspirations I almost get anxiety when I go there!
Summer says
Love your lamp project! Great job, it looks fantastic!
tinysidekick says
Thanks Summer!
Marti says
I voted! After that post you did on Mailchimp you deserve it! Best of luck! 🙂
Marti
tinysidekick says
Haha! I hope it helps others avoid the frustration and headache that I had trying to figure it out. Thanks for the vote!
Aniko@PlaceOfMyTaste says
I absolutely gonna make this!! Love it! Great job, Friend! Pinning for later:-)
Jenna says
Oh my goodness, Corey! I would have never known it was a knock-off! It looks so great! Awesome job!
Tanya says
Corey you rocked this lamp knock off!! Pinning 🙂
xo, Tanya
Angela @Angela Says says
I love it! I have made my own head board and my own king sized duvet cover from expensive designs I loved and have saved roughly $300 in the process. I’m excited to see what else you DIY in this series and see if it’ll convince me to do more myself. 🙂
Alexis @ Persia Lou says
This is so awesome, Corey!!! I LOVE it. I have been wanting to do some kind of DIY lighting for a while now and this is awesome inspiration. Can’t wait for the rest of the Knock-off series.
C.K. @ 50 days of no grey says
Wow! I own the West Elm tripod lamp & your knock off looks fantastic! Good job!
Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body says
Corey! I love this. FABULOUS job! So excited to participate in your awesome series!!! Thanks again for including me.
Tania says
I love it, you did a great job! I actually have a real tripod that I picked up at a thrift store for $5 that I’ve been planning on making into a lamp, your awesome tutorial will help me I think!
Tania
Katie @ Upcycled Treasures says
Wow Corey this is amazing and I’m so excited for your new series! Thanks for sharing such a great tutorial too 🙂 Pinned!
Reshma Sanjeev says
Me too, I love yours more than the west elm’s. Your lamp is more sleeker and like the size and shape of your lamp shade.
Katie B. says
Great job Corey. I think I like yours even better!
Amy @ Homey Oh My! says
AMAZING. This is SPOT-ON and way more simple to do than I thought it would be! Love it!
Sonnet @ SohoSonnet Creative Living says
Love Love Love!! This turned out amazing Corey! I hope you share on Link It Or Lump It Sunday if you have not already 🙂
Marisa says
I LOVE this. Pinning now.