How to DIY a Globe Pendant Light

Turn a Globe Into a Pendant Light With This DIY Project

Upcycle an old globe and turn it into a stunning light fixture.

Updated on September 8, 2023

Whether you're an avid traveler or haven't left your home state, globes are a unique piece of décor in any space. If you have one in your possession that hasn't been put to use, consider turning it into a DIY pendant light to cast a warm glow in your home office, library, dining room, and beyond.

This lighting fixture is simple to make by cutting a globe in half and threading a light through the top of it. Give the light something to peek through by drilling holes into all of the cities you've visited—or anywhere you think looks nice aesthetically. Line the bottom of the globe with decorative tape, like the leather we used here, to give the fixture a polished look.

Globe Pendant Light DIY — Martha Stewart

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Drill
Crafting knife
Bearing compass pencil

Materials

Decorative leather tape
Pendant light
Light bulb

Instructions

Remove the metal ring:

Martha Stewart

Gently pull off the top and bottom of the metal ring surrounding the globe. Set the bottom of the globe to the side.
Separate the top half of the globe from the bottom:

Martha Stewart

Drill pilot holes along latitudinal lines as a guide for cutting. Use a crafting knife to cut alongside the latitudinal lines where you drilled the holes. Pull the top half of the globe off the bottom half.
Drill more holes:

Martha Stewart

Drill holes in all of the cities you've visited for the light to peak through.
Line the edge with tape:

Martha Stewart

Line the large edge of the globe with decorative leather tape for an elevated look.
Measure and cut a hole for the pendant light:

Martha Stewart

Trace a circle around the pendant light to ensure a tight fit. Drill pilot holes around where you marked the circle then cut out a hole for the pendant light to go through.
Install the pendant light:

Martha Stewart

Thread the pendant light through the small hole you made. Then screw in the light bulb through the large opening of the globe.