(Yes, Even If You’ve Never Touched a Soldering Iron in Your Life)
So here’s what happened. Last summer, I tried to host a cute backyard dinner party—Pinterest style. But by 8:13 p.m., it was pitch black, we were all waving our phones around like moths, and someone tripped over the garden hose trying to find the bathroom. Not exactly a glowing success (pun intended).
That was my wake-up call. I needed lighting that didn’t require rewiring the entire yard or maxing out my credit card. Enter: DIY solar lanterns. No plugs, no stress, and—once I figured out how not to glue the light upside down—they turned out pretty amazing.
Here are 10 ideas that actually worked (plus one or two that involved a mild glue gun burn).
Mason Jar Solar Lanterns
The one you’ve seen on Pinterest 4,000 times—for good reason.All you need is a mason jar, a solar puck light , and some Gorilla Glue. Bonus: fill the jar with fairy lights or pebbles for ✨vibes✨. I made five of these and hung them from an old tomato cage I spray-painted black. Instant magic.
Hanging Basket Lanterns
From “plant holder” to “mood lighting” in 12 minutes.I found two wire hanging baskets in my shed (shocking) and dropped a $ solar path light in each. Zip-tied the bottom so the light wouldn’t fall out, wrapped them in twinkle lights, and boom—outdoor pendant lanterns. My mom thought I bought them from a boutique. Nope. Just me, caffeine, and zip ties.
Dollar Store Glass Gem Lanterns
Looks high-end, .I hot-glued clear glass gems (from the dollar store, obviously) around a jar and popped a solar light on top. When it lights up at night, it looks like a $40 lantern from Pottery Barn. Except mine has a slightly wonky corner from when the dog knocked it over mid-drying. Still cute.
Solar Can Lanterns
Tin cans + a nail = rustic brilliance. Save your soup cans, punch some holes in patterns (stars, hearts, chaos), spray-paint them, and glue a solar tea light inside. It’s the kind of project that looks good even when you mess it up. Mine look slightly haunted, but they give off serious cottagecore energy.
Bamboo Solar Lanterns
For when you want that “spa retreat” aesthetic.I snagged two bamboo placemats at a thrift store and wrapped them around empty yogurt tubs. Glued a solar light inside and added a jute rope as a handle. They look weirdly expensive. Like, “magazine feature” is expensive.
Solar Lanterns from Old Chandeliers
This one’s weird, but it works.I found an old brass chandelier at a yard sale ($5!). Removed the wires, popped solar lights where the bulbs used to go, and spray-painted the whole thing matte black. It now hangs in my backyard like it’s always belonged there.
Wine Bottle Solar Lanterns
Cheers to upcycling.Saved a few wine bottles (okay, more than a few). Dropped in string solar lights made for bottles , and lined them along the garden bed. My neighbor asked if I had an electrician. I just smiled and didn’t mention the frantic YouTube binge that led to this.
Paper Lantern + Solar Light Hack
So easy it feels like cheating.Bought a 5-pack of white paper lanterns for $6 and stuffed solar puck lights inside. They swayed gently in the breeze and made it look like I actually planned a vibe. Full disclosure: one flew away during a wind gust. RIP little lantern, you served well.
Wooden Crate Lanterns
For your inner rustic-cabin-in-the-woods aesthetic.I had a mini wooden crate leftover from a failed shelf attempt. Added a solar candle, stuffed it with faux moss and pinecones, and set it on the patio table. It’s giving “cozy woodland,” minus the bugs and bears.
Terracotta Pot Lanterns
It looks artisanal and costs less than a sandwich.Turn a small terracotta pot upside down over a solar puck light, and suddenly, it’s art. Paint the pots, stencil them, whatever. Mine’s teal with white polka dots because I had leftover paint and zero self-control.
You don’t need to be an electrician or own a compound miter saw to make your outdoor space glow. Just some dollar store finds, solar lights, and mild determination (and okay, maybe a little swearing when the glue gun misbehaves).
My backyard isn’t fancy, but now, when the sun sets, it feels like a warm, glowy oasis where you don’t need a flashlight to find the wine. And that, my friends, is what success looks like.
🎯 Discover Your Home Decor Style
Do you have a solar lantern disaster or genius hack? Please drop it below. I’m always looking for new ways to set things on fire in the name of ambiance.