After my sweet hubby built these beautiful garden trellises that I designed I felt like something was missing, but what? Then it hits me they needed something that added depth to them and why not add his famous wooden lanterns? These wooden lanterns had to be different from any we had made before since they are hung outside and a candle would not work. They needed light from solar power.
This project is one stop on a DIY Challenge Tour so please hop on over to all the stops and be amazed and inspired see all the links at the end of this post. You will be glad you did.
Trellis with lanterns
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The trellis pictured below is the second one he built and this one has a planter box at the bottom.
Solar Lantern DIY
Solar Wooden Lanterns
After making the decision to make some solar wooden lanterns I was on a mission to find the perfect solar light. I searched multiple stores but could find one I love, then I found this one and fell in love with the glass globe and then that evening I was dazzled by the shadow it casts.
Solar Lantern
How to build the wooden lanterns
Gather you supplies
- Drill (with drill bits)
- Wood (I used pieces leftover from the trellis) pressure treated 3/4″ wood, 1 by 6 deck-board
- Screws 1.5″ trim screws 10 per lantern
- Eye hook 1″
- Solar light
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
- Miter Saw
- Cuts (deck board cut 2 pieces at 5″ by 5″, 3/4″ wood cut 4 pieces at 1″ by 8″ and one piece cut at 3.5″ by 3.5″)
- How to build the trellis
Wood scraps for wooden lantern
Gathering supplies
Measuring the base and top of lantern
Marking the length of my side pieces
Making all my wood cuts for the wooden lantern
Marking the placement for the sides
Pre-drilling for side pieces on both top and bottom
Taking the globe part off the solar light tube
Finding the right size drill bit
Marked the area to drill on the bottom wood square
Checking to be sure the solar globe fits
Screwing the on 2 sides
Lantern is ready for the solar light
I used a clap for the last to sides
Drilling holes to attach the top square
Last two screws on the top of wooden lantern
Eye hook to hang
Installing the lantern
Deciding on which to use to attach it to the bracket
Finished wooden lantern
Attaching the bracket
Hanging my DIY wooden lantern
Wooden Lantern on custom trellis
Night Time Trellis with wooden lanterns
If you would like the plans to build a gorgeous garden trellis fill out the form below and I will email it to you.
One last thing, I want to invite you to join me for a Stress Free Thanksgiving by subscribing to my Thanksgiving Newsletter you will receive everything you need to plan and host a stress free Thanksgiving. Click here to join me.
You will be amazed and delighted to see how easy this lantern is to make. It took minutes to construct and it is a real showstopper when added to my trellis (see the how to make a trellis HERE) and at night they cast a beautiful glow.
The promised DIY Challenge Tour stops to dazzle and inspire you to create your own masterpieces:
Emory Farm shows us How to Make a Wooly Sheep Toy
Sheep Toy
Joyful Derivatives teaches How to Frame a Canvas Painting
How to Frame a Canvas Painting
Sand Dollar Lane made a Dog Leash Holder
Dog Leash Holder
1905 Farmhouse made a DIY poster frame for vintage prints
magnetic picture frame done
The DIY Nuts made a DIY word canvas art
Word Art Canvas
I hope you enjoyed learning how I made these wooden lanterns with solar lights. I adore them and my neighbors have enjoyed them too.
Thank you for stopping by please say hello in the comments below.
Happy Summer,
Kippi
These are gorgeous!!!
Thank you so much for stopping by your kind comment made my day.
Happy summer,
Kippi
That is gorgeous.
Thank you for stopping by. I had a blast making them.
Happy summer,
Kippi
Hi Kippi. I love the globe laterns. The pattern is awsome. As always, I love your tutorials. Thanks for the info!
Thank you so much for stopping by. I love your post too. Have a wonderful 4th of July.
Thank you,
Kippi
These look so great! I love the light that they cast!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I love your poster post too.
Happy summer,
Kippi
I love how these turned out Kippi! They look amazing with your beautiful trellis!
Jenn, that means the world to me! I hope you have wonderful summer.
Happy crafting,
Kippi
Love these! We put in a privacy fence last year – not as gorgeous as yours – but this year we are finally getting around to adding the landscaping and the lights. Love this idea. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Hi Kippi!
Your lanterns are perfect for your beautiful trellis! I love how the reflection from the crackled glass globe looks at the top inside of the lantern. I’m letting you know that this is one of my features this week at Homestyle Gathering! Thanks for joining everyone and sharing!
>>> Kim
These are beautiful! Pinned. I would love to get into wood working. Maybe once we move.
I’ve actually chosen it as one of my features for this week’s Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Party, this will go live this Saturday at 5pm EST.
Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared.
Hi. I was wondering if you’d had any issues with the lights recharging during the day considering the top is covered and maybe blocking the sun. Or do they just charge from the light as opposed to direct sunlight.Thank you.
Okay so I’ll answer my own question in case anyone else has the same query. I made the lantern and very nice it is too. However my light doesn’t charge anymore because the sun is not hitting it directly. I have to now find a spot for it somewhere else where the angle of the sun can charge it.
I absolutely love every aspect of your creation, from the trellis to the oh so cute hanging solar lanterns. I am excited to try this soon. Thanks for sharing
Perfect tip! I’ve created my own wooden lantern for my family trip last month. Work like a charm! Thanks for sharing 😉
OMG! Thank you so much for this step by step tutorial. I was all over Youtube lookin fo tutorials I couldn’t find what I was looking for then something told me to go to Pinterest I came across yours I was amazed especially about how it was. Thanks again! I wil be stealing your idea for my front garden.
Love your lanterns! I want to make some for our patio area. I am wondering how the lights charge with the wood top over them? Do you have an issue with this?
Thanks.