Styling Secondhand Lanterns: A DIY Patio Lighting Project
It’s time to style one of my favorite secondhand finds! You may remember those awesome lanterns I picked up from a consignment store recently. Today, I’m showing you how I’m going to hang them on my back porch—no wiring needed.
Let’s get started!
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Table of contents
Scoring the Lanterns: A Lucky Consignment Find
I stumbled upon these beautiful lanterns while browsing at a local consignment store and immediately knew I had to have them. I originally gravitated toward the white ones, but the red and blue lanterns were part of the bundle, so I figured why not take them too? I had this vision of them hanging above the outdoor table on our back porch at the new house.
The lanterns came with cords and bulbs attached, but I wasn’t interested in dealing with any electrical wiring. So, I decided to use battery-operated light bulbs to keep things simple and practical.
Preparing the Lanterns: Snipping the Cords
The lanterns had these bright-colored bulbs and cords, but luckily, the bulb holders were already neatly tucked into the lanterns, secured by a small piece of metal. Perfect! All I had to do was cut the cords off and leave the bulb socket intact. This way, I could pop in my battery-operated light bulbs without any hassle.
Pro Tip: If you’re working with lanterns that don’t have bulb outlets like mine, you can still make it work! Just hang the battery-operated bulbs inside the lantern using a simple metal wire or hook across the top. They even come with hooks you can screw in, making it easy to place the bulbs where you need them.
Hanging the Lanterns: A Quick and Easy Process
Now for the fun part—hanging these lanterns! Since they’re pretty lightweight, I used small hooks to hang them from the ceiling of the porch.
Here’s how I did it:
- Measure from the center of the table: I wanted the lanterns to be centered perfectly above the outdoor dining table, so I measured carefully before drilling.
- Make a pilot hole: To make sure the hooks twist in easily, I drilled a small pilot hole in each spot.
- Install the hooks: After the pilot holes were ready, I twisted in the hooks by hand. They’re small but strong enough to hold the weight of the lanterns.
- Attach the lanterns: I used some chain I already had (but you can find it at any home improvement store) to hang the lanterns. I’m thinking of removing the hooks on top of the lanterns and connecting them directly to the chain for a more cohesive look.
Setting the Ambiance: Battery-Operated Lights
With the lanterns in place, I popped in the battery-operated light bulbs. These bulbs are amazing because they come with a remote control, allowing me to turn them on and off with just a click. Plus, they emit a warm light that creates the perfect cozy ambiance over the table. I love how they look lit up in the evening—it’s such a simple addition, but it totally transforms the space.
Creating a Cozy Outdoor Space
I can’t wait to finish styling this entire area once our renovation is complete. I’ve got a really fun chair upcycle project lined up next, which I’ll be sharing soon. My goal is to make this back porch a cozy, inviting place where my family can relax and enjoy the outdoors.
In the meantime, I’m thrilled with how these lanterns turned out. They add such character to the space, and the fact that I was able to do it without any electrical work is a win. Stay tuned for more updates, and happy upcycling!
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