Mason Jar Light Fixture

This project was like canning sunshine! What better way to add some farmhouse flair to my dining room than a mason jar light fixture. Join me as I show you how!

The materials that I used for this project are five 1x4x8 firring strips, six 1/2 gallon jars, four quart size jars, two of these light fixtures which I took completely apart to use the cords individually, black spray paint, wire nuts, screws, and metal corner brackets.

One of the biggest challenges in my dining room is that the light box (where the wires come through the ceiling) was in the center of my room. Unfortunately for me, I set my table off to the side of the room, making the original chandelier not centered over my table.

In thinking about how to address this, a wooden box had to be made large enough to encompass the light box, but still be centered over my table. I ended up cutting 1×4 firring strips 32″ long and screwing them together with two strips of scrap wood.

After having the platform made, I had to attach the sides. Here you can see where I set my platform on scrap pieces of wood so that it was raised up off the table. This creates an even lip around the edge of the box.

I predrilled my screw holes into the platform through the sides and am using wood plugs to cover the screw heads.

Here is the back of the platform that will be up against the ceiling inside the box.

Here is the bottom of the box, which is where the lights will hang and what you will see.

Punching the holes out for the light fixtures may have been the most tedious and difficult part. From my research, this seems to be the best way to go about it. Trace your light fixture onto the lid, perforate the opening with a nail, and then pull out with pliers. Expect several paper cut like injuries!

I spray painted all of the lid pieces satin black to blend with the light fixtures.

Decide on your light placement and drill your holes to snake the wires through after staining the wood box your choice of color. I used Minwax Kona.

Here is a mock up I did in the garage! Don’t mind all the clutter-I just had to see how it was coming together! I researched how the wiring needed to be addressed and would encourage you to do the same. Or, better yet, hire an electrician to get your wiring squared away.

Inside, I located the placement of my box by measuring from my adjacent walls. I then attached two 2×4 scrap pieces to studs just inside the footprint of the box so that I could screw through the side of the box right into them to hold it in place.

Well, this was a circus act. Thankfully my new nail head farmhouse table is sturdy enough to take all of this abuse! I did have to send my husband out of the house so he didn’t see this obvious display of lack of judgment-he just came home to a working light fixture. Surprise Honey! This is how a girl gets it done. By balancing the light fixture on a ladder, I was able to attach one screw on one side and then shimmy up the other side and get it attached.