Home >> Collecting >> Antiques

How to Hang a Kerosene Oil Lamp and Shade

If you want to add some soft lighting and an "old-time" feel to a room in your home, you can include a shaded kerosene lamp. Hanging kerosene lamps will free-up your table tops and will prevent the lamp from getting knocked over by children or animals. You will need to follow the proper procedure to hang your kerosene lamp, to make sure that it is securely and safely anchored into the ceiling. You will need a few tools that you can find at any home improvement store.

Things You'll Need

Stud finder
Pencil
Drill
Ceiling hook
Pliers
"S" hook
Kerosene lamp

Instructions

- 1
  Hold a stud finder up against the ceiling in the general location where you want to hang the kerosene lamp. The stud finder will indicate when it is over a stud, so use a pencil to make a mark over this area.
- 2
  Drill a pilot hole with a drill that is slightly smaller than the width of the screw on the ceiling hook you are using. Stick the screw end of the ceiling hook into the pilot hole and begin threading it into the hole. Use a pair of pliers to help you turn it until the base of the hook is flush with the ceiling. Hang an "S" hook from the ceiling hook.
- 3
  Measure the diameter of the shade holder so you can buy the right size shade for your kerosene lamp. You will also need to make sure that the base fitting of the shade matches up with the shade holder. The shade holders will either have a "lip" or a straight edge. If the shade holder has a lipped edge, you need a shade with a lipped base. Place the shade on the shade holder and turn the screws to hold it securely in place (for lipped shades only).
- 4
  Hold the ends of the hanging chains on the lamp so that it hangs evenly. Carefully climb a step ladder and place the end links of the chains onto the bottom of the "S" hook.

Antiques