With the unofficial start of summer just around the corner, we all tend to want to spend more time outdoors. Summer dinners spent on the patio are better when you can see what you’re eating, right? What happens if you want to have an outdoor chandelier but don’t have ceiling to hard wire it to? Many outdoor chandeliers I saw that I liked the look of were meant for candles, and I wanted more light and less hassle… So we took an indoor chandelier and altered it to allow us to use it outside with a simple extension cord.
A little ingenuity and a little money can go a long way. I’ve even made chandeliers out of branches and out of tomato cages before. But sometimes I want something a bit more, um, normal.
At the time I originally worked on this project I wanted a turquoise chandelier. I found this at Lowe’s. On sale for $20. Want to know why it was only $20? Cuz it was UUUUGGGGGGGG-LLLEEEEEEEEEE!
Yes. Brass.
Yes. An indoor light fixture.
No problem.
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You already know that I think spray paint can solve most of the world’s problems…. I also figured that Handsome Hubby could strip the wires and make it so I can plug this sucker into a regular outlet instead of needing to hardwire it into the ceiling.
First: Spray paint. In this case, Valspar’s Sea Gloss (My favorite color of the moment.)
Tape off whatever you don’t want to get covered with paint…
Gather your tools. (Or in my case, have your husband gather his tools…)
I had Handsome Hubby wire the end of the chandelier’s electrical wires to an extension cord, basically creating a “plug-in” light fixture, rather than one that needs to be hard-wired.
I have heard that there are adapters you can buy that make it super easy to do this, but I haven’t used them.
This worked great. (You can google how to splice electrical wire and find lots of good tutorials.*)
Since HH wired the chandy’s electrical cord to an extension cord, we can hang it from our patio cover, run the cord over the top and plug it into a socket just like a regular lamp. I made a cute fabric cord cover. It looks cute.
I am having photography problems, but trust me, it looks waaay better than this at night. It’s a crummy shot.
It’s obviously important to make sure you do this safely and correctly.
Don’t play with matches or electricity.
Use your manners and remember to say your prayers.
Looks wonderful!.. we did the same but hard wired ours in with a GFCI since our chace of getting wet was somewhat higher but it never fails to get attention and with the price point you totally have a winner!
Maddie
I LOVE that color!
Looks great…hehe @ ugly before photo…yes spray paint can solve all the worlds “ugly” problems 🙂
Blessings Kelsie
Lol! Loving the disclaimer! Looks fabulous! I am loving that color going to have to buy me a can.
Did lowes have any like this with the lights curved up. You know like a brass chandelier. I have been searching for two to spray paint for my master.
It looks awesome! Isn’t spray paint just the best thing on planet earth? Angie xo
Cute! And your disclaimer made my day- too funny
looks great~
love the color. currently trying to to convince the hubby to let me paint the bedroom that color.
Great tutorial Viv. I am scared of electric wires. I will just admire your outdoor chandelier.
I love the trend to bring the inside out! Beautiful job! Thank you for linking to Wicked Awesome Wednesday!
Love love love the chandy!! Beautiful!!
And I always wash my hands!! Ha!
Hugs
SueAnn
Really, really great idea. Will be so nice to eat outside and not have to string little lights everywhere to see!
Viv, you have a great eye for potential and possibilities. I love what you did with that chandelier — from chintzy to chic! I can see why that paint color is your favorite too. So pretty!
Clever, clever, clever again! Lovin’ that color. Everyone needs more chandys in their life!
I’ve been wanting to get a chandelier to hang from our pergola on our deck. Thanks for the tips!
Jen
Beautiful! Love the color and thanks for the tips for re-wiring these.
Love it! My mom is wanting to paint her ugly inside one and now I can tell her it’s so do-able!! Thanks lady!
I keep coming back to this, over and over. LOVE IT ! I’m thinking I need one on the porch off my bedroom…. lavender of course !
thank you so much for the nifty, thrifty idea !
gena
Hi Vivienne, Thanks so much for linking this to my party. I took one look at this & knew it was one of your projects! It’s one of your signature colors! Love it.
Warmly, Michelle
GORGEOUS!! Would love for you to link this project to my brand new turquoise lovin’ linky party!! 😉
yup! I love a good redo. I like to make mine into candelabras. 🙂
LOVE your new light.
gail
GENIUS! Turquoise is my fave, it’s refreshing to the eyes. By the way,
you had me laughing at “UUUGGG-LEEE” 🙂
What you did looks great. That was a very resourceful one you did. Keep it up.
does anyone have thoughts about making these indoor chandeliers safe for damp areas, ie covered porches/patios? I understand that indoor rated fixtures can have wiring connections that corrode and become unsafe when used outdoors..
I bought a CHANDELierish LIGHTing fixture off of craigslist for my front patio $25. Now, i realize I dont know If it was meant to be an outside Chandi!!!! Is there anyway or method to know if this is meant for outdoors or not???
Look at the wiring. Is it meant to be hard wired into a ceiling? Then it’s for inside use… or at least a covered ceiling.