Learn how to make a beautiful DIY ginger jar lamp using candlesticks, puck lights and old lampshades. No wiring, no tools, and no fuss required.
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🌿 Quick start: You only need four things to make this lamp: a ginger jar, a candle, a puck light and a lampshade. No wiring, no tools, no fuss. Just stack, style and switch.
Have you ever seen something on Instagram and thought, I have to try that? That’s exactly what happened one afternoon when I saw a ginger jar lamp in my feed. I immediately loved it and knew I had to have it here at Tanglewood House.
I had just acquired a large Chinoiserie jar and was hoping to find a candle in the basement that would work with it. What I got was better. My father was brought home from a remote assignment in Japan, where he was stationed during the Cuban Missile Crisis. They are just beautiful, and I love that they now have new life in our living room.
A few lampshades later, also from the basement, and this lamp was born. I may find a new shade eventually, but it looks pretty good for now. And the best part is, I didn’t attach anything. No glue, no wiring, no tools. Just stack and style. It remains a lamp in our living room and has held up well.
What you need to make a DIY ginger jar lamp
One of the things I love most about this project is how simple the materials list is. You’ve probably already put some of these away, just waiting for a new purpose.
- A ginger jar or any large ceramic jar with a wide, stable opening
- A candle tall enough to climb over the jar (brass works beautifully)
- A puck light that fits snugly on top of a candlestick— I used this With 3 light types and remote.
- A lampshade that rests on a puck light
🌿 Tip Box: The key to this lamp is proportion. Your candlestick should be tall enough to clear the top of the jar so that the lampshade sits at natural lamp height. A shade that’s too small or too big will throw off the whole look, so try a few before you commit. A spider fitter shade will sit most securely on a puck light. That’s why I’ll probably get a new lampshade.
That’s really it. No wiring, no lamp kits, no drills. Just four pieces that work beautifully together when the proportions are right.
How to make a DIY ginger jar lamp
This is actually one of the easiest DIY projects I’ve ever done. There is no wiring, no special tools, and nothing is permanently attached. Here’s what you do:
- Place your ginger jar On a stable, flat surface like a console table, dresser, or sideboard.
- Set the candlestick Inside the opening of the jar. You want it to stay straight and feel stable. A candle that is too narrow will vibrate, so check some if you have one.
- Place the puck light At the top of the candle. A puck light usually comes with a round sticky pad that can be attached to the back of the puck and to the candlestick. The puck should sit flat and steady at the top of the candlestick cup.
- Rest the lampshade Puck lights up. Center it as best you can and go back to check the proportions.
- Turn on the puck light With the remote control and enjoy your new lamp!
🌿 Tip Box: Puck Light comes in warm and cool tones. Choose warm white bulbs to give your lamp that soft, cozy glow that looks great in a living room. Most puck lights have a remote control or tap to turn on, which also makes this lamp surprisingly practical.
it is. Five steps and you have a lamp that looks like it belongs in a designer living room. No one knows how easy it was.
How to adjust the height of your DIY lamp
If your lamp feels a little low for space, there are two simple ways to give it a lift.
Place a coffee table book or two under the jar. Choose books with spines that complement the colors in your jar. Blue and white books look especially beautiful under chinoiserie jars. It adds a bit of personality and a designer touch at the same time.
Acrylic risers are another great option. It gives your lamp a clean, invisible boost and works with any style of jar or room.
🌿 Tip Box: The lamp should be almost at eye level when you are sitting nearby. If your lamp feels too low in the room, try a riser or a stack of books before you go shopping for a tall candle.
Buy a ginger jar for your DIY lamp
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Ginger Jar Lamps
You can, but size is important to proportion. A large jar will require a tall candlestick to bring the lampshade up to natural lamp height. A small jar works beautifully with a small shade on a nightstand or side table.
Look for a puck light with a warm white glow. Many come with a remote control or easy tap on/off feature, making these lamps very practical for everyday use.
Not at all. That is the beauty of this project. Everything simply stacks and rests in place. You can easily swap pieces whenever you want a new look.
Home decor stores, antique shops, thrift stores, and online retailers are all great sources. You don’t need to spend much. A pretty jar will work perfectly at any price. I found the one used in this post on Amazon.
A shade that is about as wide as the widest part of your jar looks the most balanced. When in doubt, go slightly wider rather than smaller.
Sure! Any stable ceramic jar, vase, or urn with an opening wide enough to hold candlesticks upright will work beautifully.
Give it a try!
This little lamp project is proof that some of the best ideas come from scrolling through Instagram at the right time. If you have a ginger jar, a candle, a puck light and an old lampshade hidden somewhere in your house, you already have everything you need. Give it a try and see what you come up with. I think you will like how it looks.
And remember, nothing here is permanent. You can swap the jar, change the shade or try a different candlestick whenever you like. That is the real beauty of this project. It can change with the changes you make in your home.
Happy decorating, friend…
