From a Cardboard Package to a Ceiling Lamp

Don't throw away something that could become a magnificent decorative object for your home. Today I want to share with you how to make a vintage ceiling lamp in the best IKEA style using recycled IKEA cardboard package.

-Cardboard Shredder Package Stock

-Pattern (Protractor and Rule)

-scissors

-Hot glue and Hot glue Gun

In today's increasingly environmentally conscious world, sustainable packaging solutions are more urgent and necessary than ever. Furthermore, the need to consider every opportunity to reduce costs has never been more pressing. One innovative solution that's making waves is the use of cardboard shredders. These machines transform cardboard waste into free, eco-friendly packaging materials to fill gaps in packages, making them safer for shipping. But what happens to this cardboard afterward? I discovered that it can be repurposed thanks to its striking design and the patterns created by the machine's cutting process.

So today, I'll take advantage of these characteristics of this type of cardboard packaging to reuse these shredded cardboard sheets to make a ceiling lamp, inspired by alternative and vintage designs in the style of IKEA.

This type of packaging is usually used to protect valuable items shipped by sea or land, and in some cases, these items get bumped during the journey, so I recommend choosing shredded cardboard that is in better condition or less worn.

To make the template, use a design with the following measurements. You will need your metric ruler and a protractor to measure the angles. The base will be 24.5 cm and the sides 27.2 cm, ending with the top part, which will be 3 cm. Keep in mind that the angles of the bottom part should measure 66.5° and the top angles 113.5°. Draw the indicated lines and you will obtain the final template.

From this template, you will need to make 6 pieces of the same size on sheets of shredded cardboard package from IKEA.

Place the template on the shredded cardboard and trace it with a pencil or marker.

You can choose the pattern direction you prefer. I decided to use the shredded cardboard pattern vertically, but what if we make a lamp with several directions on each face? Maybe next time.

Then cut the resulting piece with scissors.

Repeat this process six more times until you obtain 6 identical pieces

Once you finish the 6 pieces, the next step is to glue them together to form the shape of the lamp.

Cut strips of 2 or more rows from the shredded cardboard; these will be used as joints to make the lamp's shape more solid.

Glue the faces together one by one to form a 6-sided circle.

trim off any excess inner edges

Now, to completely enclose the lamp and reinforce the weaker parts, add some reinforcing pieces to the inside and outside.

Use the template to make some tabs for the top and bottom edges.

Attach the lower reinforcements to the lower inner edge.

Place the top reinforcement on the outer top edge.

Finally, you will have the finished and reinforced lamp, ready to install an LED bulb. Find a cable with a bulb connection and, using an LED bulb, bring the lamp to life.

Well, in the end you'll have a unique cardboard lamp with an enigmatic design, like something straight out of IKEA.

Although it did come from the store, but only as packaging material.

You can start your own business by making various lamps in different styles and with patterns in different directions. There are no limits to what you can do with recycled materials.

Here's a pictures of the finished lamp.

The final size of the lamp is 48 cm in diameter at its widest point.

Disclaimer: This lamp should only be used with LED bulbs that don't generate critical heat when switched on. Using any other type of bulb could cause a fire due to the cardboard material used in this project. Please be very careful and make sure the bulb you use doesn't generate heat.

Have a good day.