Brighten up your front porch and your backyard with these easy DIY Outdoor Lanterns using scrap wood. An inexpensive way to decorate your outdoor space that anyone can make.
First of all, you know I love a great DIY project but I especially love when I can use leftover supplies from other projects to make new projects. And, guess what? That’s exactly what I did with this fabulous project.
I was shopping for patio furniture over the weekend and fell in love with all the outdoor lanterns that I kept seeing but I was not in love with the price tags. The DIYer in me knew that I couldn’t spend that much on something that I could easily make myself and I was right – I took a few pieces of scrap wood that I had in my workshop and whipped up these gorgeous Scrap Wood Lanterns.
These scrap wood lanterns aren’t just easy to make. It’s exactly what you need to brighten up your outdoor space. I first made wood lanterns with 2×4’s I had left over from wooden pallets. I loved them so much that I decided that I had to make ones with new wood scraps that I had from other building projects.
Aren’t they both gorgeous? I can’t decide which one I like better.
I am sure these will end up working their way into my inside decor as well. I’m ready to put them all over the house.
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Supplies needed to make Outdoor Decor Lantern:
-
- 2 scrap pieces wood for your top and bottom
- 100″ total inches of scrap wood for the sides
- Baling Wire
- Wood Glue
- Nail Gun
(This is the one I use)
- 2″ Wood Screws
- Drill
- Drill Bit
- Stain or paint is optional. This is the stain I used.
Cut List for Outdoor Decor Lantern:
- (A) Two 1″ x 8″ boards cut 8″
- (B) Four 2″ x 2″ boards cut 12″
- (C & D) Eight 1″ x 2″ boards cut 5″
- (E) Four 2″ x 2″ boards cut 1″
- Four 1″ x 2″ boards cut 3″
Lantern Instructions:
Step 1) Using a drop of wood glue and an air nailer, attach the four 12″ pieces to the corners.
Step 2) Before flipping the board over, use a bead of wood glue and air nailer, attach the four 1″ pieces to the bottom side for the feet.
Step 3) Begin adding the 5″ side pieces to the top and bottom of the lantern between the 12″ posts.
Make sure to put glue between two pieces of wood. Attach with the air nailer or 2″ wood screws.
Step 4) Attach the top 1″ x 8″ x 8″ board to the top and attach with a bead of wood glue and the air nailer.
Step 5) Using wood glue and the air nailer, attach the four 3″ pieces to the top.
If you don’t believe how much I love these outdoor lanterns just know that I am now working on a double lantern. Seriously, these are going to be the main focal point at the Lake House because I’m putting them right by the front door.
I hope this inspires you to let your imagination run wild. Let your scrap wood pile speak to you and have fun making your own DIY Outdoor Lanterns. You will love them and your patio too!
Looking for more scrap wood inspiration? Be sure to check out these posts!
- DIY Halloween Decorations: Make Fun and Funky Junk Drawer Pumpkins
- How To Make DIY Wall Art Using Recycled Materials
Each and everyone of you inspire me and I LOVE to see the work that you’ve created. Feel free to share with me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. And as always, be sure to follow Diva Of DIY on Pinterest and sign up for our FREE Newsletter to receive the latest projects delivered straight to your inbox!
