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Decorating and Home, Our Home, Tutorials

DIY Marquee Letters

October 21, 2014

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Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

It’s about time for a fun, new project from the office makeover, right? I thought so, too! With all the traveling and side projects I’ve been doing lately, it hasn’t left much time to work on the projects I’ve had up my sleeve, so it felt really good to bust this one out yesterday! Marquee letters are wildly popular right now, and I couldn’t wait to plow through this office makeover so I could DIY some for myself.

I knew from the start of this makeover that my office was going to be the new headquarters for Love Grows Wild. I create in here, write in here, get inspired in here, and frankly I eat and sometimes sleep in here too, but that’s besides the point. I had been brainstorming some kind of DIY sign that had my blog logo on it, but then it hit me… this is the perfect time to do those marquee letters I had been dreaming about! I thought this project would be a little intimidating, but it was honestly super easy to do, and I finished everything in just a few hours, including paint drying time and taking step-by-step photos for you guys to enjoy.

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com


Supplies:
  • cardboard letters (I found these at Joann’s)
  • clear globe string lights (I used these from Amazon)
  • X-acto knife
  • pencil and paper
  • spray paint of choice (I used Rust-Oleum Semi-Gloss White)

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

Step 1

Use an X-acto knife to cut along the seam of the back side of each letter.

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

Step 2

Pull off the back piece and remove any cardboard pieces from inside the letters.

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

Step 3

Determine where you want each light to go on your letters, and draw a small dot for each bulb.

This was probably the hardest part of the whole process, which isn’t that difficult, just takes a little bit of planning and measuring. My set of lights had 25 bulbs, so I spaced them out about 3″ – 4″ apart. Using a ruler helps to make sure your lights are evenly spaced. Note: I used 22 of my lights on 3 letters, so if you’re using larger or additional letters, you may need to purchase a second string of lights.

Unscrew a light bulb from the backing and trace around the smallest end of the bulb with a pencil and paper.

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

 Step 4

Use the template you just created to draw a circle over each dot you drew on the cardboard letters. You want it to be just big enough for the bottom of the bulb to fit through.

 

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

 Step 5

Use an X-acto knife to cut an asterisk inside each circle, then punch through the circle using a pen or screwdriver (something about the size of the circle). Make sure your lightbulb will fit snugly inside.

Spray paint the letters and let them dry completely. Place a light bulb in each hole and screw on the backing, connecting the letters as you go. (I started with the L, then the G, then finished with the W). Tuck the wires inside the cardboard and use the clips on the lights to secure the wires, if necessary. If your lights do not have clips, you can tape the wires in place as well.

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

I wanted these letters to go on top of the new bookcase I just finished, but I was worried about them falling over. I used some of these Command strips on the bottoms of the letters to make sure they won’t budge if one of the boys’ runs headfirst into the cabinet below. Rambunctious things like that just tend to happen in this house, so one must be prepared for the worst! Is your house as cray-cray as mine is?

If you wanted to hang your letters on the wall like these from my pal, Amy, you could easily do that with a few nails in the wall since the backs of your letters are open.

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

I can’t even begin to describe how much I adore these marquee letters in my office. They’re big and bold, but blend in nicely with the room because of the white paint I chose.

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

They’re gorgeous in the day time, but even more lovely when I turn the lights on at night.

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

Not to get too sappy here, but seeing these letters all lit up and beautiful reminds me that even with all the long hours and late nights that this job entails, I’m working towards making my dreams come true with every post, every project, every recipe, and every photo. Thank you for being part of my community of awesome readers and believing in me!

Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

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Step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous DIY Marquee Letters for your home! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

So tell me what YOU think! Do you like marquee letters? Where would you put them in your home?

Are you making this project? I’d LOVE to see it! Post a photo of your creation on Instagram and use the hashtag #MyLGWProject. It may just get featured!


More projects from my office:

Outdated office furniture transformed into a sleek, sophisticated storage system! Classic black and white with touches of gold glam - Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

Office Bookcase Makeover

Come see how this old wood desk got a fun mint-colored makeover! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

Mint Desk Makeover

A cheap thrift store find turned into a sleek and stylish new office chair! See the transformation at LoveGrowsWild.com

Office Chair Makeover

Learn how to make these awesome DIY Industrial Pipe Stools for your kitchen or office with no tools required! Click for details at LoveGrowsWild.com

Industrial Pipe Stools


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DIY Decor Office
by Liz Fourez 
31 Comments

About Liz Fourez

View all posts by Liz Fourez

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Comments

  1. Ashley says: October 21, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    Wow, awesome letters! Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 21, 2014 at 2:46 pm

      You’re so welcome, Ashley!! Glad you like them!

      Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 24, 2014 at 10:37 pm

      Thank you, Ashley!! So glad you like them!

      Reply
  2. Selene Galindo says: October 21, 2014 at 10:13 pm

    These are too cute, Liz!!! You made the tutorial so easy to understand, too!!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 24, 2014 at 10:42 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that, Selene!! Thank you for checking out my new office addition!

      Reply
  3. Kristi says: October 22, 2014 at 10:28 am

    SOOOOO cool! Who knew these fab marquis letters were so easy to make? I can’t wait to make some of my own!!!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 24, 2014 at 10:51 pm

      They really are! I can’t believe I waited so long to make them! Have fun making some for your house too. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Camille says: October 22, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    OMg I am TOTALLY obsessed with these!!! You are amazing my friend, definitely going to try this out ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 24, 2014 at 10:53 pm

      You made my day, Camille!! You definitely need some of these in your office!

      Reply
  5. Chelsea says: October 24, 2014 at 1:23 am

    wayyyy cute Liz!! I love how you styled the whole hutch ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 24, 2014 at 11:15 pm

      Thanks, girl!! It’s my favorite part of the office right now!

      Reply
  6. Arianne says: October 24, 2014 at 11:43 am

    You said you used 22 out of your 25 lights – did you tuck the remaining 3 lights into the cardboard box or are they just hanging down behind the bookshelf? If you wanted to hang these, I assume you’d have to hide the remaining 3 lights or make sure that your light placement allows for all of the bulbs to be used? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 24, 2014 at 11:23 pm

      Hey Arianne! Great question. I took the bulbs out of the remaining three sockets and stuffed the empty sockets inside the cardboard. I had enough space to easily fit them inside, so it was a pretty simple solution. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions!

      Reply
  7. Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness says: October 24, 2014 at 11:24 pm

    Oooh, these are so fun!! I love the look of the marquee lights! On the top of the bookcase is the perfect spot for these. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 24, 2014 at 11:28 pm

      Thank you, Amanda!! It helps to hide the cords hanging down too, which is a total bonus! Thanks so much for stopping by! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  8. Desiree @The36thAvenue says: October 26, 2014 at 11:15 pm

    Love it! I am featuring you tomorrow ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 27, 2014 at 10:59 am

      You are the best, Desiree! Thank you so much… I really appreciate the feature! Have a fantastic week, my friend. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  9. Lolly Jane says: October 27, 2014 at 4:07 am

    The cutest!!! Love making these suckers- they’re so cheery and fun to make. ๐Ÿ™‚ XOXO

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 27, 2014 at 10:59 am

      I couldn’t agree more!! I love your girls’ “EEK” letters… so cute!!

      Reply
  10. Mindy says: October 27, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    These are SO cute! Thank you for the wonderful tutorial and link to the bulbs. I only wish they were battery operated so I could be more flexible with where I put the letters. Definitely going to make some though!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 27, 2014 at 10:15 pm

      That WOULD be awesome! Hope you love these letters in your home as much as I do! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  11. Carrie This Home says: October 31, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    I love how warm the letters look when they’re lit up! They’re modern and beautiful! I may have to include one of these letters in my upcoming office makeover. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: November 2, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      Yes! I think you’re going to love them! They may just be my favorite part of the office makeover so far. Have fun with YOUR office makeover, and thanks for stopping by! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  12. Megan C says: March 4, 2015 at 10:56 am

    Hi Liz,

    Thanks so much for posting this tutorial! I am super excited to make these – quick question! What size are the letters that you used for this project? 12″?

    Thanks!
    Megan

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: March 9, 2015 at 11:55 pm

      You are so welcome, Megan! Yes, I used 12″ letters for mine. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  13. Marti Gainous says: March 21, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    HI Liz!

    I have to say first, I LOVE your website! You are very talented. I was wondering where you got those cute scissors in your photograph.

    Thanks!

    Marti Leigh

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: March 29, 2015 at 9:24 pm

      You are too sweet, Marti! Thank you! The scissors actually came from Dollar Tree. They are plastic and were originally purple, so I just spray painted them! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Marti Gainous says: March 30, 2015 at 6:30 am

        Awesome! I actually saw that in another one of your posts right after I wrote it..

        Reply
  14. Stacy says: September 28, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    Hi there! I have a question and it may sound silly but is it safe to have the heat like that from the lightbulb on the cardboard? Nothing will start on fire?

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 7, 2015 at 12:10 pm

      I don’t leave the lights on all the time, but so far so good for us! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  15. T. Blizzard says: October 16, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    These are beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration! I bought the really large letters (L-O-V-E) at Joanne’s for my daughter’s wedding – the ones that are 2 feet tall, cut off the tops, drilled holes, and spray painted with a copper metallic paint. Used the strings of 25 small globe lights too. We put our lights on the inside, to create a vintage “can” letter, with the front off. They turned out beautiful! It was a bit more challenging than we planned, in order to figure out how to make them stand and be stable, but once we mounted them on a piece of 2 X 4 and spray painted it copper metallic, it worked great! The L-O-V-E letters will sit in front of my daughter’s sweetheart table at her industrial chic wedding.

    Reply

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Liz Fourez started Love Grows Wild in 2012 with a passion for interior design and homemaking and a dream to help others create a home they love.  From simple project tutorials, to holiday and entertaining ideas, to her journey renovating a 1940’s farmhouse, Liz demonstrates how to create a beautiful and inviting home with a handmade touch. She turned her signature cozy, neutral style into a best-selling book in 2016 and continues to inspire readers with her captivating photography and easy decorating ideas. Read more about Liz > > > >

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