How to Make a Beer Can Lamp

There are two options for building a beer lamp: a singular stack of cans protected and displayed in a clear tubing, or flattened cans attached to the exterior of a wooden base. Choose your preference and break out your tin shears.

Singular stack. Cut a hole in the bottom of each can to fit your plug through. It might be necessary to widen the opening at the top of the beer can to accommodate the plug. Feed the cord through the cans and slip your acrylic tube over the stack. (It may be necessary to use liquid nails or glue to hold the can stack together.)

Wooden base. Shear off the tops and bottoms of the can. Cut a seam down the side of the can's cylinder to create a flattened sheet of aluminum. These flattened sheets can then be attached to the wooden base with small finishing nails or liquid nails in a variety of patterns.

Drill a tiny hole toward the bottom of the acrylic or wooden base to fit the lamp cord through. If your lamp kit comes with the plug already attached, you can instead drill a small notch at the base of your lamp to accommodate the cord instead.

Feed the cord through your lamp base, then attach the socket and plug as instructed by your light kit. Top it off with a shade and your beer can lamp is good to go.