DIY Drum Shade Chandelier: Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial

Want to learn how to DIY a drum shade chandelier using embroidery hoops, fabric, and simple supplies for an affordable custom light fixture? I’ll show you an easy step-by-step tutorial on make a beautiful shade

When I participated in the One Room Challenge a few years back, I put my hat in to decorate our bedroom. I had to makeover the room with as much DIY as I could in eight weeks; it was challenging, to say the least, but a lot of fun. For the lighting, I wanted something a little dramatic and different, but I also didn’t want to spend a fortune on a chandelier when I wasn’t even completely sure what direction I wanted to take in the room.

So, naturally, I decided to try making the chandelier myself.

Using a few large embroidery hoops, fabric, poster board, chandelier crystals, and a few basic supplies, I created a custom chandelier that looked way more expensive than what I actually spent.

And honestly, that’s one of my favorite things about DIY. You can take something pretty simple and turn it into something that looks totally custom.

Why I Decided to DIY a Chandelier for Our Bedroom

When we moved into our house, our bedroom was pretty much a blank canvas. It needed some serious style. I struggled to figure out the look and feel I wanted for this room.

Did I want dark and moody? Light and airy? Contemporary, or transitional? So many styles and options overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t decide on a final design style.

So, instead of spending a ton of money decorating a room that I might completely change six months later, I decided to give it a temporary, budget-friendly makeover and DIY as much as I could.

Funny enough, my “temporary” makeover ended up sticking around a lot longer than I expected.

I made the curtains, transformed the side tables, built the headboard with a mirror surround, and eventually decided the room needed a statement light fixture.

If you love a good affordable furniture makeover too, you can also check out my IKEA Rast nightstand makeover,

What You’ll Need to Make a DIY Drum Shade Chandelier

• 2 very large oval quilt hoops; you can get the size according to the dimensions you need for your space. I bought these at a local fabric store, Save-a-thon. You can also buy them at Michael’s, Joann Fabrics, or here.
• 4 strings of crystals or glass; I used crystal strings from another chandelier.
• 2 large poster boards
• I used Black silk fabric; you can use your choice of fabric to coordinate with your design.
• Gold spray paint
• Light cord set from IKEA, or you can get one from Home Depot. I used one with a rod from a fixture I had.
• 4 eyelet hooks
• Spray adhesive
• Glue gun
• Small S hooks

How to Make a DIY Drum Shade Chandelier

Once you have all your supplies ready, you can begin building the chandelier shade.

You don’t have to do it exactly like mine.

That’s actually the fun part of this project. You can change the fabric, color, size, crystals, and finish depending on the look you want.

I went with black and gold because I wanted something a little dramatic and glamorous, but it would look completely different in natural linen or another neutral fabric.

If you’re hardwiring a fixture or making any electrical changes, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and have a qualified electrician handle anything you’re not comfortable doing yourself.

Step 1: Separate the Embroidery Hoops

Most embroidery or quilting hoops come in sets of two. Separate the hoops and use the solid inner rings to create the top and bottom edges of the drum shade.

Save the adjustable outer hoops for another DIY project.

Step 2: Decide the Height of Your Drum Shade

I wrapped the poster board around the hoops first to get a sense of the proportions.

Next, I decided how tall I wanted the drum shade to be.

This is one of those steps where I would definitely recommend holding everything up and looking at it before you start cutting.

Cut the poster board to the desired height.

Step 3: Paint the Inside of the Chandelier

I wanted gold details to coordinate with the black fabric, so I spray-painted the inside of the poster board, the hoops, and the visible portions of the light fixture gold.

You can easily change the finish to coordinate with your room.

Black, brass, bronze, or even a soft neutral could completely change the chandelier’s look.

Allow everything to dry completely before assembling the shade.

Step 4: Build the Drum Shade

Wrap the poster board around the inside of the embroidery hoops.

Cut it to fit, leaving approximately one inch of overlap where the two ends meet.

Secure the overlapping ends to create the drum or oval shape.

Make sure the top and bottom hoops stay even so the shade doesn’t look crooked when hanging.

Step 5: Cover the Drum Shade With Fabric

Next, cut your fabric slightly larger than the shade, leaving extra fabric along the top and bottom.

Apply spray adhesive evenly to the shade.

Carefully smooth the fabric over the surface, working slowly and making sure there are no wrinkles or bubbles.

Fold and secure the excess fabric neatly around the top and bottom edges.

I chose black silk for a dramatic look against the gold interior, but this is where you can really customize the chandelier.

A linen, textured neutral, patterned fabric could give the exact same project an entirely different look.

Step 6: Add the Chandelier Crystals

Now for the pretty part.

I screw four small eyelet hooks evenly around the inside of the top of the hoop.

Just be careful here because you don’t want the hooks to go through the outside of your finished shade.

Then I attached my chandelier crystals to the hooks.

Use small S-hooks to connect the crystal strands to the compatible light fixture or support.

I actually reused crystals from another chandelier I already had, which made this project even more budget-friendly.

I love finding ways to reuse pieces from old decor instead of buying everything new.

Plus, the crystals gave the chandelier that extra little bit of sparkle it needed.

Step 7: Attach the Shade to the Light Fixture

To finish everything off, I used small S-hooks to attach the crystal strands to the light fixture.

Take time adjusting each connection until the shade hangs evenly.

I moved the connections around until the shade hung evenly and everything looked balanced.

Once it was level, the chandelier was basically finished.

The Finished DIY Drum Shade Chandelier

I was honestly so happy with how this turned out.

It started with embroidery hoops, poster board, and fabric, and ended up looking like a custom chandelier.

And because you’re making the shade yourself, you can change pretty much everything about it.

That’s exactly the kind of DIY project I love.

Tips for Making Your Own Drum Shade Chandelier

First, measure everything.

Measure the room, the existing fixture and the space where the chandelier will hang.

A larger room can usually handle a more substantial shade, while a small chandelier may look better with a narrower drum.

I would also lay everything out before permanently gluing anything.

Hold the pieces together. Stand back. Look at it from across the room.

DIY projects are so much easier to adjust before you’ve covered everything in glue.

One of my favorite things about DIY project is figuring out how to get the look I want using materials I already have or inexpensive things and being creative.

Use this as a starting point.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Come back for more fun ideas and DIY projects.

Thank you for stopping by!