A lot of folks enjoyed the Paper Pom Pom Christmas Stairs I’ve shared recently. Yay! Well, since that season is over, it’s time to get busy with another fun DIY.
The stockings on the fireplace need replacing with some fallen branches from the friendly neighborhood trees. These tree branches have been a hot new decor idea lately- you can use them as a bookshelf, clothes hanger, desk lamp, or even as a table with a little bit of work.
Sure, you could drop some cash and rush to Amazon to get yourself a pretty branch light, but where’s the fun in that? You need some do-it-yourself in your life from time to time. Gotta get those creative juices flowing! And it’s a million times more rewarding.
Step 1: Wanna Go Out For “Branch”?
Luckily, in our yard, we found the perfect birch branch (or… maybe not. Maybe it’s the other way around- this tutorial was inspired by the said scattered branch, you’ll never know). If you don’t have one in your garden right now, maybe look around and ask your friends or your neighbors to give you a hand. It’s essential to not pick up a random specimen from the nearby park! You don’t know what the poor thing’s been through.
Choose one that would look stunning in your living room. It should have just the right spacing of the little branches, the texture and weight of it should feel nice, so you don’t hurt yourself in the makeover process.
Step 2: Let There Be (String) Light
Do a little bit of shopping. I got AmazonBasics string lights- warm white, incandescent bulbs that would do just the job. Look for string lights with long cords. These longer cords would serve you so much convenience should you want to place your makeshift chandelier way up- that way, you don’t need the mess of an extension. Or better yet, get battery-powered ones!
Step 3: A Couple Other Stuff
To suspend the branch, you’ll need little picture frame eyelet screws. With these things, the branch can be screwed into the ceiling. Fishing wire is also a necessity to support the branch. To secure the lead cable to the wall, you should also get command strips. And finally, any long nail. The nail should go through the thickest end of the branch and into the wall for extra security.
Step 4: Light Twirl
Here is the exciting part: twirling the lights around your newfound tree branch. It’s a bit tricky, but with some help, I made it work. Only the most annoying thing is sometimes the tiny baby branches get in the way of my string lights. Don’t get them caught, or you will have such a hard time uncoiling your hard work! Especially if your light bulbs are tiny. I suggest getting another person to stabilize the branch by holding it vertically and then get your hands doing the dirty work.
Step 5: Hang In There
Have you found the perfect spot for your hanging branch light? If you’re open to second opinions, I think the corner would work great. Two reasons why: stability and invisibility (of the wires).
Compared to open wall space, the corner of the room is much more forgiving when it comes to tucking away cables. That way, it’ll seem less of a mess to any prying eyes.
The corner also provides ideal support to the lead nail position. It would also give off a refreshing, naturally grown-out look to your tree branch!
Step 6: Nailed It!
Pick two points where you want the fishing wires to hang. Carefully screw two eyelets into the ceiling for said wires to hang. Make sure that you won’t regret those ceiling drills should you change your mind about this whole thing, though! (That, I doubt.)
Next, loop the fishing wire into the eyelet screws then hang both ends of your branch. Secure the knot properly.
You wouldn’t want your tree branch to look wonky, right? You’d wish to orient the way it did naturally in a tree. Remember the big, long nail that I’ve mentioned earlier? That was to keep your branch from turning upside down. It’s time to fix your branch, make sure it’s facing the way you want it to, and then hammer the nail on the thickest part of the branch into the wall.
To further clean up the look, use the command strips to stick the lead cable against the corner.
Step 7: The Result
After 48 years of hard work (okay, more like 48 minutes. I’m exaggerating), I finally achieved that glow I wanted in my living room. The reveal looks pretty straightforward, but that was my goal! It’s purely for decoration anyway.
Forgive my current furniture, I am having a renovation ASAP. These folks obviously need to be changed, so please ignore the clashing colors. You’ll see a beautiful living room soon, I promise.
As for you, I’d love to see your latest DIY’s!
As an interior designer, I like my home well-furnished, at the same time, classy and beautiful. I always take my time to pick out which items make it into my house, because I want something that would last a long time. I’m meticulous, that’s why I’m a great help to anyone struggling to choose.
