After admiring ribbon chandeliers in baby stores, catalogs, magazines, and even on Pinterest, I decided to make one for Clara’s closet. The closet is large enough that it could become a small reading nook when she’s older—I can already picture a beanbag and a stack of books. The only problem was the closet’s light: a bare bulb with a pull string. A ribbon chandelier would soften the look and make the space friendlier.
I spent $2 on a 10″ embroidery hoop from Ben Franklin, spray painted it white, and used a stash of leftover ribbons I keep for projects. Recycling ribbon is a habit of mine—why toss something that can be repurposed?
The total cost was just two dollars. To start, I sprayed the metal hoop white outside on a piece of cardboard. While it dried, I sorted through the ribbon scraps and chose the colors and patterns I wanted. After flipping the hoop with a stick to paint the other side, I let it dry completely indoors.
Next I cut ribbons into roughly 16″ lengths. I wasn’t exact—if a ribbon could yield two slightly shorter pieces, I used them anyway. Once the ribbons were cut, I attached them to the hoop with hot glue. I folded each ribbon over the top of the hoop and glued the ends together on the inside, spacing each strand about an eighth of an inch apart so they wouldn’t bunch up. I did burn my fingers a few times, but it was worth it.
This was the bare bulb we were replacing in Clara’s closet. I’d meant to replace the old bulb with a CFL earlier but hadn’t gotten around to it; that was fixed before hanging the ribbons.
To suspend the ribbon hoop, I used a pair of small hooks that were in the tool drawer and some white thread. I made four loops of thread at even intervals around the hoop and hung them over the hooks so the hoop would be supported from four points and hang balanced.
The finished chandelier is playful and whimsical. When Clara woke up from her nap I couldn’t wait to show her; she immediately loved it. I didn’t iron the ribbons before gluing—some are slightly wavy—but that gives the chandelier a casual, textured look. If I decide I want them smoother later, I can simply take the hoop down and iron the ribbons before reattaching them.
One ribbon, printed with bunnies, is a keepsake from an Easter basket we made previously. The ribbon ends are intentionally staggered and cut in varied styles—some angled, some dove-tailed—so the bottom edge looks organic rather than uniform. That relaxed finish suits a child’s space.
From the rest of the room the chandelier peeks out from behind the curtain like a cluster of bright dresses, inviting a closer look. Up close, the ribbons add color and movement to an otherwise ordinary closet light.
All told, it was a simple, low-cost update that brightened Clara’s closet and protected fragile items stored on higher shelves. Little touches like this can make a small space feel special without a big investment.
Has anyone else used ribbon to dress up a bare bulb or made a similar DIY shade? I’m always interested in other easy, inexpensive ways to add personality to small spaces.
Safety note: Many lamp shades are made from fabric or paper, so ribbon can be safe when used properly. Keep all ribbon well away from the bulb and allow space for heat to escape. A 10″ hoop leaves plenty of clearance, and using CFL or LED bulbs—which run cooler than incandescent bulbs—adds an extra safety margin. In some areas exposed bulbs in closets are not up to code; glass covers are recommended and could still be decorated with a ribbon chandelier as long as the ribbons don’t contact the bulb.