DIY Pendant Light Made from Coffee Filters Costs Under $9
A Brooklyn renter crafted a high-end-looking pendant light using just a string light, a dollar-store lantern, and coffee filters glued to the outside. The scrunched filters create a flower-petal effect, and the total cost was about $8. The project shows that unique lighting doesn't require a big budget.
The project emerged from a practical need—the bedroom's existing fixture only lit a portion of the space, and the apartment lacked closets, which pushed Mendes toward creative solutions. She chose a string light from Amazon and sourced the lantern and coffee filters from a dollar store, keeping the total under $9.
The technique involves threading the cord through the lantern and attaching scrunched filters with a hot glue gun, producing a petal-like texture. The article also references a similar approach by another Brooklyn renter, Kayla Shannon, who wrapped an IKEA lantern in a scarf. Both examples appear in Apartment Therapy's house tour series, which regularly features renter-friendly customization ideas.
This story may resonate with renters and budget-conscious decorators who feel limited by temporary living situations. It could encourage more people to attempt DIY lighting projects rather than purchasing expensive fixtures, potentially shifting some spending from retail to craft supplies. The approach may also normalize unconventional materials in home design, though its impact is likely modest—primarily inspiring similar small-scale projects among readers of design publications rather than driving broader industry changes.