How to Make a Globe Floor Lamp

Repurpose a Globe into a Fun Standing Lamp

Mar 12, 2010
Melissa Howard

Globe Floor Lamp - Melissa Howard

Recycle an old classroom globe to make a floor lamp that makes a statement.

Old school globes are easy to find. They come in a variety of styles and are fun to use in household décor. If you have a broken globe or simply want something a little different, consider making a floor lamp using a thrifted globe.

Supplies

Globe
Floor lamp
X-acto knife
Old jewelry, ribbon, trim for embellishing
Adhesive
Drill
Hole cutter for wood
Painter’s tape
Metallic or glossy spray paint

Instructions

Remove your globe from the stand. Most globes are held in place by a bracket that clamps the globe at both poles. Usually, there is some flexibility in this bracket and if you pull it gently apart, you will release the globe.
Separate your globe along the equator. Use the X-acto knife to remove the ‘tape’ that binds the equator seam on most globes. Use a butter knife or some other flat, blunt object to wedge between the two hemispheres and begin to carefully pry them apart. It can be difficult to pry the two hemispheres apart. Remain patient.
Remove the shade from your lamp.
Use the shade as a template for cutting holes for where the bulb and screws will insert into the globe.
Use the correct size hole cutter to cut the hole for the bulb (Hole cutters are relatively inexpensive and can be bought at your local hardware store). Use your drill to drill the holes for the screws.
Tape off the portions of the globe that you do not wish to paint.
Spray paint the interior of the globe with multiple coats of paint. You want a solid, reflective surface for the light.
Decorate the edge of your new lampshade to give it a more finished appearance.
Put the globe on your lamp. Screw it in place.

About the Sample Project

The sample lampshade was made with a cardboard globe. It was trimmed with black cording and purchased vinyl trim with metal eyelets.

Warnings

Follow appropriate safety precautions when working with power tools. Remember to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes.

Ideas and Suggestions

If you are still using incandescent bulbs, now would be a good time to switch to energy efficient, cooler, compact fluorescent bulbs.
If the lamp is tall enough so that you can’t see inside of the shade, it will not be necessary to do more than paint it. However, if you can see inside the shade, you may want to finish it in someway to even out the interior surface.
Make a Globe Table Lamp out of the other half of the globe you use for the floor lamp.