How to Make a Ceramic Table Lamp: DIY Your Own Fixture with an Exposed Bulb

• People love the ceramic table lamp style that features a minimalist design with no messy wires or cords.
• At Color Cord Company, we’ve put a tutorial together to help you create a DIY ceramic lamp with an exposed bulb.
• Review the materials you need and follow our step-by-step instructions to make your table lamp with our expert help.

We love hearing from makers with bold ideas — and lately, we’ve seen a wave of ceramic artists diving into lamp-making with their own handmade bases. One popular request? Creating a table lamp where the socket and hardware are tucked neatly inside the ceramic form, keeping the design clean and the craftsmanship front and center. This tutorial is just one version from our table lamp series, designed especially for those working with ceramic or DIY vases. So if you’ve ever thought, “Could I actually make that?”—the answer is yes, and we’re here to help you light the way! Follow along with our DIY ceramic lamp tutorial and craft yours today.

What You'll Need: DIY Ceramic Lamp Parts List

• Ceramic Base (provided by you, similar to one shown)
• 1/8 IPS All Thread (one inch)
• 1/8 IPS Nut
• Basic Socket
• Cord Grip (Plastic Male Barrel Cord Grip)
• Conductor Wire (black and white as shown in video if 2-prong)
• Power Cord Whip (shown with 2-prong)
• Wire Nuts or Lever Nuts

We offer a selection of lamp parts in a variety of sizes, finish options, and colors to ensure you can customize your DIY ceramic lamp to the max.

Step-by-Step Assembly Guide

Please read through the guide for this exposed bulb lamp before you start constructing your piece to ensure you fully understand every step of the instructions.

1. Assemble the Socket

• Secure the All-Thread: Add the all-thread component to the socket cap and tighten the screw to secure it in place
• Strip Conductor Wire: Prepare the conductor wire ends
• Identify Wires: The black conductor wire connects to the negative terminal, and the white goes to the positive terminal. With some wire, it’s also possible that the neutral wire (or white) is ribbed or marked, while the hot wire (or black) is smooth or unmarked.
• Attach Wires to the Socket: Connect the neutral (white) wire to the silver prong and the hot wire (black) to the brass prong on the socket. Ivory and black sockets will have some variation in how they are assembled. Ivory sockets will grip as shown in the video, and black will have screws. You can view all socket assemblies here if yours does not match the assembly shown here. 
• Secure the Wire Connections: Ensure a firm connection. Some sockets may require a screwdriver for this step, but not needed as shown with the ivory socket.
• Assemble the Socket: Reassemble the socket housing, ensuring all components are snug and secure. Note that the sockets we sell are locking, so do not take this step unless you are ready for the socket to be permanently in place.

2. Mount the Socket to the Base

• Install the wire: Thread the wire through the base and add on a wire and nut, taking it up to the socket base and securing it in place to lock in the socket

3. Prepare the Wiring

• Strip the Wires: Prepare the cord ends from the base for Wago Nuts or your own wire nuts
• Assemble the Whip: Bring the power cord whip with prepared ends into the base and install a Barrel Cord Grip on the inside to hold the cord in place.
• Join the Wire and Cord: Using nuts, join the connection of the socket/base to the power whip. Tuck the cords inside the base, finishing up the electrical connections.

4. Final Touches

• Insert the Light Bulb: Screw in your selected light bulb into the socket.
• Test the Lamp: Plug in the lamp and turn it on to ensure everything is functioning correctly. 

If there are any issues with the exposed bulb lamp, we recommend that you double-check that all wire connections are secure and properly insulated.

DIY Ceramic Lamp FAQ

If you have any questions about how to personalize your DIY ceramic lamp, we have answers. Check out the most common concerns below.

What is the best lamp base for this DIY ceramic lamp?

We recommend that you use a hollow base specifically designed for light fixtures. You may be able to find a vintage piece at a thrift store or flea market that fits your aesthetic. Make sure there’s enough room in the base of the lamp to store all of the cords and electrical components.

What’s the best light bulb for an exposed bulb lamp?

We prefer using LED light bulbs in all of our fixtures, as they’re eco-friendly and energy efficient. However, that doesn’t mean you have to choose a boring bulb that brings down your design! We offer tons of unique LED bulb styles, including Edison-inspired light bulbs, half mirror bulbs, candelabra bulbs, and so much more. Browse the selection to find the perfect style for your DIY ceramic lamp.

Does the light bulb have to be exposed for this lamp, or can I add a shade?

Of course, you don’t have to make an exposed bulb lamp if it doesn’t suit your style! We offer a wide range of standalone light shades that can perfectly complement your base to complete your design. In addition to metal cages, you can also find glass, fabric, metal, and woven shades in a variety of sizes in our online store.

What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic?

As you’re considering the bases you can use for this DIY ceramic lamp, it’s important to understand the differences between porcelain and ceramic. Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is made only from white clay. Many times, porcelain is structured to be as thin as possible, so light can pass through it. Other types of ceramic may feature red, brown, or white clay that doesn’t have as strict water-controlled criteria. These pieces will be thicker and more colorful.

What color sockets do you offer in-store?

Our plastic sockets are only available in black and white. However, you can find metal sockets available in a variety of shades, including shades of red and pink, metallic hues, various greens, and neutral colors.

DIY Made Easy

If this particular DIY ceramic lamp assembly style isn’t quite what you had in mind, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! Check out our Table Lamp Series, where we walk through three different assembly styles, perfect for makers who are designing their own bases from ceramic, wood, or other creative DIY materials.

If you're looking to rewire a vintage lamp, these tutorials could still offer helpful tips and inspiration. Just keep in mind that vintage or third-party assemblies can vary widely. Because we don’t stock every component used in older or third-party lamps, you may need to experiment a bit to find what works for your specific setup.

That said, many creative makers have successfully integrated our colorful power cord whips to bring fresh life to their own custom or vintage-inspired designs. So whether you're crafting something from scratch or giving an old favorite a glow-up, we’re here to help light the way!

Why Choose Color Cord Company?

Choose a cord color that complements your room’s decor and brings your unique vision to life — because your lighting should be as original as you are. At Color Cord Company, we make DIY lighting simple, stylish, and fun. Whether you’re building a DIY ceramic lamp from scratch or customizing a fixture through our website, our modular, high-quality parts offer endless color and finish options, so you can design one-of-a-kind fixtures that truly reflect your personality and style.

Building your own exposed bulb lamp isn’t just a satisfying project — it’s a chance to add a personal, handcrafted touch to your space. So grab your materials, follow the steps, and light up your room with a lamp that’s 100% you.