DIY Outdoor Light Ideas

The right outdoor lighting can create the perfect ambience for your style and mood, but how exactly can you achieve it yourself? Here at Hometalk we have all the best, top, and newest outdoor lighting projects to spark your creativity. Watch a step by step video tutorial to learn how to do it yourself, without using a professional.

Make Your Garden Shine With the Best Outdoor Lighting Tips and Tricks

Get Creative with Lights

Make your own lights: Select glass jars of different shapes and sizes, paint them or keep them transparent, and add tealight candles inside them.
Use exotic tiki torches: Add light and style with tiki torches. Place one wherever you need extra light or arrange them together for an artistic design.
Decorate with fairy lights: String fairy lights through plants and trees and along pathways. Choose between single or multicolored lights for a magical feel.
Hang some lanterns: Place glass lanterns on the ground or hang from a height with supportive hooks to bring an exotic vibe to your garden.
Choose solar lights: Use solar-powered lights outdoors as they have no power costs. They come in different varieties, including lanterns and fairy lights.

More Outdoor Ideas

Top Projects for Outdoor Lights

Here we've collected the top outdoor lighting projects. Don't miss them.

Stump Solar Lights

This project is so easy it should be illegal! I think this project is by far my favorite and was the most shocking transformation of two old stumps--it's amazing what a little bees wax will do to wood!

Rob & Courtney M, Hometalk Team

Light Up Logs

If you have a dark walkway to your front door (or even a dark porch), these will be perfect for you! These light up logs are outdoor ready and can illuminate any path to help keep you from stumbling! They can add a nice rustic touch indoors as well... All you have to do is hollow out a log with a Speedbor bit and chisel and then place the slit log on top of some LED lights!

Amanda C, Hometalk Team

Lighting Upgrade - With Sharpies!

This was a challenge. ......... it took me forever to think of something. I knew I had a freshly painted chandelier and a few light bulbs. This is what I came up with.....

Heatherelzey

My Take on Another Solar Chandelier!

I wanted to join in on the awesome solar chandelier craze but after searching local flea markets I couldn't find anything that was cheap enough so I ended up with this metal wall sconce for $4

Ann M

Pathway Lights

A way to light a pathway or Ramp, with beautiful bottles that are too pretty to just recycle.

Dani Moore

Tin Can Lanterns

An uncle of mine used to make tin lanterns by hand and though these aren't as ornate as those, they are a pretty cute version on the cheap! So before you toss those empty cans in the bin, maybe take a gander at this little repurpose number! You can punch any design of your choice into an old can, place a light in it and you have a lantern! All you need is a couple cans, a drill, and a light, and you're in business!We want to help you DIY, so some of the materials in this post are linked to sellers. Just so you know, Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

Amanda C, Hometalk Team

DIY Solar Deck Lighting

A quick way to add lighting to your deck (with no wiring!)

Jim Cox

Light Up Address Numbers - 3 Options

Creating an option that is right for you to light up your address numbers is inexpensive and easy. Here are 3 different ways to do so... You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

From Candle Holder to Solar Holder (plus 2nd Option)

I bought 2 candle holders at thrift stores - both are fall pumpkin shaped. I turned one into a solar holder and the other incorporates a repurposed bottle and lights... You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Easy Flower Basket to Solar Chandelier

Turning a flower basket into a solar chandelier is easy and inexpensive. You can do so much to personalize it for your own style. You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Stump Solar Lights

Rob & Courtney M, Hometalk Team

Light Up Logs

Amanda C, Hometalk Team

Lighting Upgrade - With Sharpies!

This was a challenge. ......... it took me forever to think of something. I knew I had a freshly painted chandelier and a few light bulbs. This is what I came up with.....

Heatherelzey

My Take on Another Solar Chandelier!

I wanted to join in on the awesome solar chandelier craze but after searching local flea markets I couldn't find anything that was cheap enough so I ended up with this metal wall sconce for $4

Ann M

Pathway Lights

A way to light a pathway or Ramp, with beautiful bottles that are too pretty to just recycle.

Dani Moore

Tin Can Lanterns

Amanda C, Hometalk Team

DIY Solar Deck Lighting

A quick way to add lighting to your deck (with no wiring!)

Jim Cox

Light Up Address Numbers - 3 Options

Creating an option that is right for you to light up your address numbers is inexpensive and easy. Here are 3 different ways to do so... You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

From Candle Holder to Solar Holder (plus 2nd Option)

Chas' Crazy Creations

Easy Flower Basket to Solar Chandelier

Turning a flower basket into a solar chandelier is easy and inexpensive. You can do so much to personalize it for your own style. You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Outdoor Lights Videos

Watch our videos on outdoor lights and find inspiration for your next project.

From Candle to Solarabra!

I ran across this candle holder chandelier at a thrift store. I just knew what I wanted to turn it into... a Solarabra! You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Candle Holder Turned Cup Holder & Solar Flower

I found a candle holder stand at the Goodwill store. I knew I needed a cup holder for my sky chair (hanging chair). I decided this candle holder would make a great cup holder, but I didn't stop there. You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

From Candle to Solar Chandelier

I ran across this candle holder chandelier at the Flea Market. I just knew what I wanted to turn it into... a Solar Chandelier! You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Easy Mason Jar Hanging Solar Lights

I love mason jar projects and I have wanted to make some hanging solar lights for a while. So I got out some jars, spray paint and ordered some fairly lights on Amazon and got to work!

Michelle James

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Outdoor Lighting Projects

Here are the best projects to whip your outdoor lights into shape.

Repurposed Can to Lantern

Here is an easy and inexpensive way to create lanterns from cans just in time for summer! You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Indoor/Outdoor Concrete Pendant Lights

Create your own pendant lights to hang inside or outside your home using a $5 bag of concrete and soda bottles! So easy and looks awesome above a bar or kitchen sink!

Chelsea Lipford Wolf

Terra Cotta Pot Lighthouse With Solar Light

I had seen clay pot solar lighthouses on many DIY sites and I decided to give it a shot myself.

Diane S

Upcycle an Outdated Chandelier to a Solar Chandelier

My neighbors were getting rid of an outdated chandelier at their garage sale. I bought it from them and told them I was going to tear it apart and make a solar chandelier. You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Light-up Boho Chandelier

Using a tomato cage, sheer fabric and Osram Lightify Gardenspot Mini lights, you can create a light-up boho chandelier that changes colors! Perfect for a day to night outdoor wedding!

Mark Montano

Solar Chandelier

I have to admit that this was not my idea---the making of a solar chandelier or sconce. But, the finished product is my version!

Lovesunique

Repurposed Can to Lantern

Here is an easy and inexpensive way to create lanterns from cans just in time for summer! You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Indoor/Outdoor Concrete Pendant Lights

Create your own pendant lights to hang inside or outside your home using a $5 bag of concrete and soda bottles! So easy and looks awesome above a bar or kitchen sink!

Chelsea Lipford Wolf

Terra Cotta Pot Lighthouse With Solar Light

I had seen clay pot solar lighthouses on many DIY sites and I decided to give it a shot myself.

Diane S

Upcycle an Outdated Chandelier to a Solar Chandelier

Chas' Crazy Creations

Light-up Boho Chandelier

Using a tomato cage, sheer fabric and Osram Lightify Gardenspot Mini lights, you can create a light-up boho chandelier that changes colors! Perfect for a day to night outdoor wedding!

Mark Montano

Solar Chandelier

I have to admit that this was not my idea---the making of a solar chandelier or sconce. But, the finished product is my version!

Lovesunique

Popular Outdoor Lights Discussions

Here you'll find popular discussions on outdoor lights. Check them out!

Looking for the outdoor hanging baskets light project

/> Erika H

Hanging metal basket solar lights and glass shades

View discussion

How do i paint a faded plastic outdoor nativity that lights up

/> Pto22448951

View discussion

How do I hang lights on stucco?

/> Chris

I WANT TO HANG LIGHTS AROUND MY ARCH IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. IT IS STUCCO AND I DO NOT WANT TO DRILL HOLES IN IT. ANY IDEAS? I ALREADY HANG LIGHTS AROUND THE WINDOWS AND ALONG THE GUTTERS BUT THE ARCH IS ALWAYS SO BARE :(

View discussion

Feeling proud: Squirrel-proof Outdoor Lighting- What do you do?

/> Rose M Fagan

The squirrels were gnawing on the wires of outdoor lights, over our deck.

Feeling proud: Squirrel-proof Outdoor Lighting- What do you do?

View discussion

New Outdoor Lighting Projects

The new outdoor lighting projects you don't want to miss. Check it out.

Repurposed Outdoor Lantern

This outdoor lantern was made using a few pieces I had on hand: an urn from an old Christmas tree, an orb from a bird feeder and a solar powered globe light. I liked the shape of each piece, and wanted to re-purpose them in some way to make something functional. (Note: If you do not have an urn, you may use another planter you have on hand, or purchase an inexpensive one to use, instead)

Anita K

How to Make Mini Lanterns Using Baby Food Jars

These are perfect to use in BBQ parties, birthday party or even weddings as a table decoration piece and to light up the party when the sun goes down. It's very easy to do it and will cost almost nothing.When I first had the idea of making these mini lanterns, was last Christmas when Preloved (a British web site for all things second hand) had a competition to create the thriftiest and most beautiful Christmas decoration for under £5, ideally using what you have lying around the house. .Then, Christmas was gone and a new year started and I had 3 big boxes full of baby food jars, that I’ve been saving for too long. Already thinking ahead for next spring and summer I’ve decided to make the same mini lanterns to be used in BBQ parties, birthdays, weddings, and any summer garden party. I only had to change the shapes of the cutouts and put on some colors.This was a very easy project, but you will need a few things in order to make it easy.Materials and toolsBaby food jars, cleaned without labelsCut out shapes in adhesive vinyl (I’ve used the Silhouette Cameo machine to cut them), but you can cut by hand as well.Chalk Paint,Clear waxCraft wire, 18 gauge plastic coatedBrushClothPliersThe Process:

Monica - The Pallet House

Hawaiian Beach Glass Party Lanterns

Make these lovely beach glass lanterns using recycled jars that you were just going to throw away. The jars cost nothing, I used a bag of sand from Freecycle, raffia that I already had and shells from a friend, so my only cost was the paint and tea lights.

Organized 31

Garden Chandelier Inspired by Hometalk

Here is a project I completed inspired by other projects I have seen on Hometalk!

Megan

Tin Can Solar Lantern Tutorial

I love the rustic charm of tin can lanterns. Budget-friendly and super simple to make, their warm light brings a relaxing ambiance to any outdoor party. While flickering candlelight is perfect for a special occasion, I really wanted tin can lanterns that glow all summer long. I quickly decided that making them solar powered was the way to go. I've written a tutorial for anyone interested in making their own solar tin can lanterns. Visit Craftiments for the complete supply list and detailed instructions.