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Outdoor Lantern {from a $1 trash can!}

July 11, 2012 8 Comments Holly & Nat

We shared this tutorial over at Infarrantly Creative a few months ago, and as I was doing a few more updates to my front porch this week I realized we’d never posted it here! As you guys know, I love finding things that are old, ugly, or really cheap and transforming them into something beautiful. I knew I could make something out of these ugly vinyl trash cans I found on clearance for $1…

{In case you were wondering, I got these on a final clearance sale at Home Depot — a set of 3 trash cans for $1. Yes, I’m kicking myself for only getting one set! I haven’t seen them there since, but I have seen something similar at the Dollar Store.}

So, I snatched up these floral beauties and the first thing I did was rip off the ugly plastic that makes up the “walls” of the trash can. I saw the gorgeous shape of the frame and I was smitten! Along with a few mason jars I already had in my stash, I knew these would perfect for some DIY outdoor hanging lanterns.

Here are the supplies I used:

  • 1 trash can {metal frame}
  • mason jar
  • 18 gauge wire
  • wire cutters
  • scissors
  • 1 1/4″ cup hook
  • small “s” hook
  • roman shade clip {that is the pear-shaped thing I used at the top of the lantern… just because it was already in my husband’s tool box!} You could use anything that opens & closes securely 🙂

{1} Gather your supplies {2} grab your ugly trash can and start cutting! {3} Peel the vinyl down from each side and cut away from the rim of the can. {4} Now you have your beautiful metal frame ready to go!

{5} Cut 2 pieces of wire, about 8″ longer than the width of the metal frame. {6} Wrap the end of the wire around one corner of the frame. This thickness of wire is sturdy, but still pretty easy to wrap by hand. {7} Cross over to the opposite corner and wrap it around both sides, then a few extra loops to secure. {8} Trim off any excess with your wire cutters.

{9} Attach the second piece of wire in the same way, making an X in the middle of your frame. {10} This time, make a loop in the center of the wire before you attach and secure the corner. {11} When both sides are attached, pull the loop up and twist it in the center of the X. This becomes your lantern hanger at the top. {12} Now take your small “s” hook and wiggle it down into the base of the loop.

{13} This “s” hook is where you will hang your mason jar. {14} I got lucky and had these really cool jars in my stash that already have a wire handle attached. (But, you could easily make something similar with a regular mason jar, wire, and pliers to bend and shape the handle.) {15} For the hanger at the top of the lantern, I used this pear-shaped thingy I found in my husband’s tool box! I found out it is used for securing roman shades, but any hook that closes would work fine. {16} My new outdoor lantern is ready to hang up! I screwed a cup hook into the ceiling of our front porch. It worked perfectly because there were already a few small screws in place, and I just replaced 2 of them with the hooks for my lanterns!

I added a small white candle in the bottom of my jars, and that’s it! Now I have two new beautiful lanterns for my updated front porch:

Here’s a close up…
Want to see what my porch looked like before my makeover?
At night, the new lanterns cast off a beautiful glow and really warm up our new sitting area. {Haha, this picture was totally staged with non-outdoor pillows! Come back and see what I replaced them with tomorrow!}

Linking up to:
52 Mantels Photobucket Whipperberry Lil'Luna

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Filed Under: DIY Decor, Outdoors, Upcycle

About Holly & Nat

2 Sisters. 2 States. Sharing our latest creations keeps us close. We are moms, wives, daughters, friends, creative souls, singers, living room dancers, Jimmy Fallon fans, & consumers of dirty Dr. Pepper.

« Missing “U” Printable {from the Dating Divas}
Easy Outdoor Pillow {we’re sharing at Positively Splendid today!} »

Comments

  1. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says

    July 11, 2012 at 11:48 am

    What a great idea! And it looks so cute on your patio!

    Reply
  2. Brooke @ Inside-Out Design says

    July 11, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    Still loving this!! Genius idea!! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Charm Bracelet Diva says

    July 14, 2012 at 4:56 am

    Love this! Just became a follower!

    Kathleen

    Reply
  4. Debra Kapellakis says

    July 24, 2012 at 4:23 pm

    Those turned out great!

    Reply
  5. Allie says

    August 6, 2012 at 1:29 am

    Whoa! I haven’t been keeping up with my blogs too well lately so I just found this! So awesome! You girls have the best ideas! 🙂

    Reply
  6. de says

    January 30, 2013 at 3:33 am

    That pear shape thingy is a shower curtain hook. Sweet lanterns!

    Reply
  7. Ivory says

    July 4, 2016 at 9:52 am

    I love your DIY lanterns, they are very beautiful. Thank you for sharing. And yes, the “pear shape thingy” are shower curtain hooks.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Little Tikes Baby Crib Makeover says:
    May 2, 2014 at 3:44 am

    […] are some fabulous upcycled projects that my sis has done: Trash Can to Lantern • New Twist on an Old Dresser • DIY Sequin PillowWishing you a relaxing weekend! Thanks for […]

    Reply

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2 Sisters. 2 States. Sharing our latest creations keeps us close. We are moms, wives, daughters, friends, creative souls, singers, living room dancers, Jimmy Fallon fans, & consumers of dirty Dr. Pepper. Read More

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