How To DIY An Affordable Version Of The IKEA Donut Lamp For Trendy Lighting

For the IKEA obsessed, a new collection drop is like Christmas morning. While the company's designs have been iconic furniture and accessories for decades, social media apps (specifically TikTok) have ensured that at least one new item goes viral every year. The recent "it" product is the IKEA donut lamp, which is officially named the VARMBLIXT LED table/wall lamp. The popularity of the trending lighting means that it is often out of stock on store shelves. With a little thrifting prowess and a couple ingredients from your local craft store, you can DIY an affordable version of the IKEA donut lamp and achieve that freshly glazed warm glow we all crave. It may even help boost moods during dark and gloomy winter days.

There are two ways to complete this hack. Both require a clear donut-shaped vase (or "torus-shaped" if you're geometrically inclined) that you can find online or at a local shop. Hack number one uses Mod Podge, food coloring, and either a rechargeable LED puck light, or a bulb and cord set like the IKEA STRÅLA with an LED bulb. Hack number two uses colored wax and LEDs.

Matching the orange of the VARMBLIXT (which translates to "warm lighting") may take some trial and error regardless of which method you choose, so grab a couple extra glass vessels to see how the mix dries and to practice your pouring and swirling technique. While it is harder to get a solid coating with warm wax, the resulting swirl pattern adds some character and texture to the lamp that may prove to be a better fit for your decor. The waxing process can also be reversed with a pot of hot water if things go awry. Andeegreen explains in the comments on TikTok that the wax used in the demo is from old candles, and that the DIY lamp is powered by LED lights that don't produce enough heat to remelt the wax.

As an alternative, this look can be achieved with the same tinting method used to turn empty marinara jars into faux-vintage decor. You may also recognize it as a way to give mason jars a Halloween makeover. This method uses Mod Podge gloss sealer, which can be easily purchased online for $14.37, mixed with food coloring like Watkins Assorted Food Coloring which is only $6.99. After testing your mixture of food coloring and Mod Podge on a different object, pour it into the desired vase, making sure to get every bit of the interior surface. Allow the excess liquid to pour out, then allow the vase to dry overnight. Add in a light source with a warm colored bulb and clear a spot on the shelf for your new favorite lamp.