Miniature Lamps from Paper

Every miniature room deserves a little lamp to make it feel warm and lived-in. The good news? You can make beautiful tiny lamps from just paper, wire, and a few beads. It is a wonderfully simple project, and the result looks so cozy you will want to make one for every room.

Step by Step

Step 1 — Fold the Lampshade Shape

Cut a small piece of paper and shape it into a tiny cone or cylinder for your lampshade. You can experiment with different shapes — a classic cone looks lovely, or try a small drum shade for a modern feel. Gently curve the paper and hold it in place with a tiny dot of glue.

Step 2 — Create the Stand from Wire

Take a piece of thin wire and bend it into a straight stand. You can add a small curl at the bottom for a decorative base, or keep it simple and straight. The wire should be tall enough to hold your lampshade at the right height for your room.

Step 3 — Attach the Shade

Slide a small bead onto the top of the wire — this acts as the bulb and also helps hold the shade in place. Then carefully glue the lampshade over the bead, making sure it sits evenly. Hold it steady for a moment while the glue sets.

Step 4 — Add the Base

Create a sturdy base by coiling the bottom of the wire into a flat spiral, or glue the wire onto a small circle of cardboard. You can also use a larger bead as a base. Make sure the lamp stands up on its own before the glue dries completely.