Dowel Rod Chandelier DIY

By Sara Polacek, Interiors & Event Design Manager

When we set out to transform a formal dining room into a playroom for our Nod Family Home, we wanted to keep the overall layout of the dining room so the space could still be used for large family gatherings. This meant floating the play tables in the middle of the room. In a traditional dining room, you’d hang a chandelier above the table, but this room had plenty of other light, so we opted for something more playful. Also, since the room was mostly white, we wanted to add a colorful focal point to bring the look together.

We won’t lie, this isn’t a DIY you can complete in one naptime, but with a few hours of work and a fraction of the cost of a chandelier, you’ll have a beautiful conversation piece for your home. If you don’t need a piece of this size, this DIY would also work well scaled down as a small mobile.

Dowel Rod Chandelier DIY Supply List:

• (Approx. 70) 1/8”, 3/8” & 1/4” dowel rods, various lengths (12”, 18”, 24”)
• (3) 50”x 1” diameter dowel rods (to make a 18”x46” frame)
• Spray paint in various colors
• 50 skeins of embroidery floss in various colors
• 20lb & 60lb fishing line
• Tacks
• (2-4) Eye hooks for ceiling
• Glue gun
• Miter saw (could also use hand saw)
• Wood glue
• (4) 2” screws

Dowel Rod Chandelier DIY Directions:

Step 1. Wrap/paint dowel rods

• Start by securing the embroidery floss with a dab of glue on the rod.
• Tightly wrap the rod till you reach the end of the floss, secure with another dab of glue.
• Add another color of floss and continue.
• To spray paint: lean rods against a surface you don’t mind getting spray paint on or prop up rods in a piece of Styrofoam. Tape off the part you do not want to paint.
• Let dry and wrap other half, or leave it natural.  We did a mix.

Step 2. Make frame.

• Saw down dowel rods to be size needed to make frame (we made a 18”x46” frame).
• Make a 45 degree cut at both ends of each dowel rod.
• Predrill screw hole in both sides of corner before gluing corner together to hold.
• Drill screw into corner to secure.

Step 3. Installation.

• Secure two eye hooks into the ceiling, at the center of each side of the frame.
• Use 60lb fishing line to hang.
• Tie fishing line from each corner of frame to the eye hooks.
• Once chandelier is hung, begin to add dowel rods.
• For larger dowels, push a tack in the top of dowel.
• Take 20lb fishing line and attach a strand to each tack.
• Wrap and tie fishing line around frame, tightly. Hang at varying lengths for interest.
• For thinner dowels, tie fishing line around top and leave two strands to use for tying around frame.

Voila! You have a beautiful and playful focal point for your space. For more details about turning your dining room into a playroom and other helpful hints, check out our Design Workshop.