How to Make an Overhead Lamp

Determine the height of the lamp that you intend to make. If you are using the lamp over a table, the light should sit about 30 inches above the table. A general room lamp should be at least 7 feet above the ground at the lowest point. The distance between the lowest point of the lamp and the ceiling is the amount of lamp cord that you need, minus any shade overhang, which depends on the size of shade that you buy.

Snip the plug end off of a lamp wiring kit using a pair of wire snips, leaving enough cord length to match the measurement that you previously determined, plus 4 extra inches. Strip away the last 2 inches of the plastic cord cover using wire snips to expose the wiring underneath. You now have a light socket and a length of cord with exposed wire at the end.

Feed the exposed wires and cord through a cord cover, leaving just the exposed wire and 1 inch of covered cord sticking out the end. The other end of the cord cover should rest against the light socket. Feed the wire end of the cord through a ceiling light plate, with the face of the plate facing the cord cover.

Turn off the electricity to the light outlet at the circuit breaker or light switch.

Wire the exposed ends of wire into the existing wiring in the ceiling. Use wire nuts to secure the installation. Fasten the ceiling plate to the wiring frame in the ceiling.

Fasten a lamp shade with an uno shade fitting to the light socket. Any style of lamp shade will work, but because the shade will be upside down, a shade with straight sides, either in a circle or square shape, tends to look best.

Turn on the electricity to the light and test it.