DIY Wooden Lanterns

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.

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.

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, one by six deck-board
• Screws 1.5" trim screws 10 per lantern
• Eye hook 1"
• Solar light (this is the one I used) 🌞
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Miter Saw
• Cuts (deck board cut two pieces at 5" by 5", 3/4" woodcut four pieces at 1" by 8" and one-piece cut at 3.5" by 3.5")
• How to build the trellis 

Marking the cut lines for the sides of the lantern.

Mark cut lines for top and bottom of lantern.

Using my miter saw I make all the cuts.

Mark the placement for the sides on both top and bottom pieces.

Predrill where you are going to add screws both top and bottom. Note, you can see my pencil marks for the placement of the side. Drill inside those marks.

I pulled the solar globe off its spike and measured it so I could drill a hole to slide it into.

This drill bit will be the right size.

Its a perfect fit.

I decided to use an eye-hook that my hubby had in his workshop for hanging this lantern.

It looks stunning! See the whole story and all the photos on the blog.

Nighttime view is better than I could have imagined. This trellis and the lanterns have elevated my garden view and value.