Foam core lamp DIY
I can’t have lamps in my home.  With four young kids in the house, a lamp would just be another thing for me to clean up after it’s broken.  Trust me, I speak from experience.  I do love the soft light from a lamp in the evening, though, so I decided to play around with an idea that had been in my head for a while.  Here is my (almost) unbreakable lamp, made from simple, inexpensive foam core board.
DIY Glowing Lamp

Project estimate:

  • Foam core board, $1
  • Craft knife, on hand
  • Candle holder, on hand or $1
  • String lights, $2
Total:  $3 and up
Step one:  Use a craft knife to cut the foam core board to the desired height of the lamp.  Mine is approximately 7 inches tall.
score lines
Step two:  Divide the board into four sections.  Use the craft knife to cut through the top layer, but do not pierce the paper backing.
trace
Step three:  Draw your design in pencil (you can use a stencil, like I did).
cut
Step four:  Use the craft knife to cut on the lines. Be careful not to cut through the back layer of paper.
remove
Step five: Remove the foam from the cut out shape, leaving the paper backing intact.  When the design is complete, you can clean up the edges a bit with your craft knife.
Step six:  Fold the board to make a square, and glue or tape the edge together.
Place battery operated string lights on the candle holder, and set the foam board lamp over the lights.
Lamp DIY
Isn’t it beautiful?  I love the soft glow of the light through the custom “lamp shade”.  It reminds me of rice paper lanterns.  I think it looks like expensive lighting you’d find in a catalog, and not something you made from dollar foam core board!