Are you drowning in old CDs and DVDs collecting dust in your home? You’re not alone—as more people move their photos, music, and documents to the cloud, physical media piles up in drawers and closets. But what if those forgotten discs could become something beautiful? A CD suspension lamp DIY project might be exactly what you need to transform digital-age clutter into stunning home décor. Designer Véronique Lamarre created an impressive “New Wave” suspension that proves this concept brilliantly.

Lamarre’s New Wave suspension lamp represents the perfect marriage of sustainability and contemporary design. This remarkable light fixture uses an anodized aluminum structure combined with recovered CDs—240 of them, to be precise. The result is a sculptural lighting piece that catches light beautifully, casting reflective patterns throughout any room. This CD suspension lamp DIY concept demonstrates how upcycling everyday materials can produce gallery-quality results.

Technical Specifications & Materials

If you’re inspired to create your own CD suspension lamp, here are the key details from Lamarre’s design:

• Structure: Anodized aluminum (durable and corrosion-resistant)
• CD count: 240 recovered CDs
• Bulb compatibility: 60-watt incandescent or compact fluorescent
• Lining: 5-inch diameter anodized aluminum collar
• Hardware: 3 feet of stainless steel cable for hanging
• Dimensions: 12 x 22 inches in diameter (30 x 56 cm)

The anodized aluminum not only provides structural integrity but also complements the reflective quality of the CDs. The stainless steel cable ensures this suspension stays secure while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic.

Why This Design Matters for Sustainable Living

This project exemplifies the core principles of the upcycling movement. Rather than relegating outdated media to landfills, Lamarre transformed worthless objects into something functional and visually striking. A CD suspension lamp DIY project challenges the throwaway consumer culture and encourages makers to see potential in forgotten items.

Since 2008, Véronique Lamarre has devoted herself to recovery projects, initially exploring how to integrate everyday objects into light sculptures. Through experimentation and refinement, she developed her signature CD light collection. Her work focuses on combining aluminum, CDs, CD cases, and new electrical components to create surprising results from common discarded materials.

Getting Started with Your Own Project

Creating a CD suspension lamp DIY version requires careful planning. You’ll need:

• Collected CDs and DVD cases (clean and organized)
• Aluminum tubing or rods for the frame
• Stainless steel hanging cable or wire
• A reliable electrical socket and bulb fixture
• Basic tools: drill, wire cutters, and wrench
• Safety equipment: gloves and protective eyewear

The key to success is securing your CDs to the aluminum structure so they hang at varied angles and heights. This creates the dynamic, wave-like quality that gives the design its name. Consider how light will pass through and reflect off each disc to achieve the most stunning visual effect.

Inspiration for Your Next Upcycling Project

Lamarre’s New Wave suspension proves that old media formats aren’t waste—they’re raw materials for creative expression. Whether you’re an experienced maker or new to upcycling, this CD suspension lamp DIY project offers a perfect blend of technical challenge and artistic reward. As we continue to store our lives in the cloud, physical media will only become more plentiful. Why not turn that abundance into light?

The beauty of this design lies in its accessibility. Most people have enough spare CDs to attempt this project, and the basic materials are affordable or readily available. Start small with a mini version, or go bold and create a statement piece like Lamarre’s original design.

Design by Veronique Lamarre