Simple and Cheap DIY Garden Lighting for Cozy Evenings

Written byStephanie Hofer Updated

Easily turn inexpensive dollar store solar lights into charming, cottage-style accent lighting for your garden or outdoor space.

My mom has been looking for a way to add a little extra charm to her backyard, and we both agreed—some creative lighting is just what her outdoor space needed.

She’s going for a casual cottage feel, something cozy and inviting, and these clever DIY lights are the perfect touch.

This project is super simple—seriously, in just minutes, you can transform basic dollar store solar lights into classy accent lighting.

Scroll down to see how easy it is to add warmth and charm to your garden, outdoor living space, deck, or even a balcony!

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How Can I Light My Outside Without Electricity?

Solar-powered lights are a fantastic budget-friendly and eco-conscious solution for outdoor lighting.

Unlike traditional lights, they don’t require any wiring or electricity—just the power of the sun!

These little lights soak up solar energy during the day and automatically glow once the sun goes down, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

They’re perfect for lighting up gardens, patios, balconies, or decks without adding a penny to your electric bill.

Plus, they’re easy to install and move around, making them ideal for any space that could use a little evening magic.

Materials and Tools Needed

To create our cozy cottage-style DIY garden lighting, we kept things simple and affordable with just a handful of materials and tools.

Supplies used to DIY garden lighting, chandelier crystals, glass shade and solar light.

We upcycled a thrifted glass shade to give it that charming vintage feel—these shades are super easy to find at thrift stores, and we’ve paid as little as $0.50 to $2 each!

For a bit of extra sparkle, we added chandelier crystals, which came from a thrifted light fixture we scored for just $4.

We’re always on the lookout for old lighting pieces that can be repurposed in creative ways.

For this project you’ll need:

It’s an easy, creative project that adds loads of charm with just a few simple supplies.

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Prepare Solar Light

Preparing the solar light is quick and easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Stake is removed from solar light.

First, you’ll want to remove the lower portion of the light—on ours, the stake simply pulled right off the clear plastic section.

Next, twist off the top of the solar light and make sure to switch it on.

Depending on the brand, you may need to remove a small piece of plastic from inside to activate it.

We had a little moment of panic with our first light because we glued it into the glass shade before realizing we hadn’t flipped the switch!

Thankfully, we were able to carefully twist the light portion under the shade and access it.

If you’re adding crystals or beads like we did, you’ll want to drill a small hole through the bottom of the solar light to attach them.

A small hole is drilled into the lower portion of a solar light.

Using a drill with a small bit, gently drill straight through the center of the bottom section.

We found it easiest to start with the speed slow to keep the bit in our desired position.

You may also find it helpful to keep the light steady by placing it on a soft towel or cloth to prevent slipping.

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Let us introduce ourselves, we’re Michelle and Steph, a mom and daughter team who love to DIY and decorate our homes.

Not only are we passionate about making our homes warm, comfortable and unique, but it’s our mission to help you create that same feeling in your own home.

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Attach Wire Hanger

To create the wire hanger for your DIY garden lighting, start by cutting two pieces of 18-gauge aluminum wire—one to 11 inches and the other to 12 inches.

wire hanger is attached to a glass shade and tightened with needle nose pliers.

Take the 12-inch piece and wrap each end tightly around the 11-inch piece, spacing the wraps about 4 to 5 inches apart.

Use your needle nose pliers to make sure the wire is wrapped snugly and securely—this forms the loop that will hang your light.

Now it’s time to attach the hanger to your glass shade.

Carefully place the 11-inch wire around the top of the shade, just below the lip.

Use the pliers again to twist and tighten the wire so it stays in place.

Wire hanger is attached to a glass light shade

Once secured, adjust the loop so it’s centered and evenly spaced.

Attach Crystals

To add a whimsical, cottage-inspired touch to your DIY garden lighting, try attaching chandelier crystals!

Start by taking a strand of crystals and threading them through the small hole you drilled in the bottom of the solar light.

Chandelier crystals are attached to the lower portion to a solar light.

We used a 22-gauge aluminum wire, which is thin and flexible, making it easy to work with.

Twist the wire securely using needle nose pliers to hold the crystals in place. If you don’t have crystals on hand, you can also get creative by threading colorful beads onto the wire for a fun and playful look.

We used crystals from a thrifted chandelier we picked up for just $4—such a steal!

We’re always on the lookout for old chandeliers because they’re perfect for adding charm to a variety of DIY projects.

The sparkle these crystals bring—especially when they catch the sunlight during the day and glow at night—adds just the right amount of magic to our DIY garden lighting.

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Secure Solar Light

To secure the solar light to the glass shade, run a small bead of E6000 glue around the top rim of the glass shade.

Glue is applied to the rim of the glass shade for the DIY garden lighting.
Solar light is placed into the glass shade.

This adhesive is strong and perfect for outdoor use.

Once the glue is in place, carefully insert the solar light—with the attached crystals—through the top opening of the shade.

Press the light gently but firmly into the adhesive so it’s snug and centered.

Then let it sit undisturbed until the glue is fully cured, according to the package instructions.

Hang and Enjoy the Cozy Vibe

Now for the fun part—hanging your beautiful DIY garden lights and soaking in the cozy vibes!

DIY garden lighthing at dusk with an upcycled glass shade, crystals and a solar light hung from a shepherds hook.

We’re hanging ours on shepherd hooks scattered throughout the garden to create a soft, enchanting glow along the pathways.

DIY garden lighthing at dusk with an upcycled glass shade, crystals and a solar light hung from a shepherds hook.

But they’d look just as lovely hanging from a tree branch, a pergola, or even along a balcony railing.

DIY outdoor garden lighting with thrifted glass shade, chandelier crystals and solar light.

Their gentle twinkle brings a magical, cottage-style charm to any outdoor space.

DIY garden lighthing with an upcycled glass shade, crystals and a solar light hung from a shepherds hook.

How will you hang your DIY garden lights?

Whether it’s a cozy corner of your patio or a whimsical trail through your yard, these lights are sure to make your evenings feel extra special.

Click here to see all of the thrifted vintage decor we added to my mom’s patio and garden.

Shop DIY Garden Lighting

Final Thoughts

We love how these simple DIY garden lights turned out—charming, cozy, and budget-friendly!

It’s amazing what a few dollar store solar lights, some thrifted finds, and a little creativity can do to completely transform your outdoor space.

Whether you hang them from shepherd hooks, tree branches, or a balcony, these lights add a whimsical cottage-style glow that makes your garden feel extra special.

This project is proof that you don’t need a big budget to create beauty and atmosphere in your yard.

We hope you’re inspired to try this yourself and bring a little handmade magic to your own backyard!

Please share your tips and ideas with us.

We love hearing from you!

For more ideas for outdoor living, take a look at these ideas:

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Pinterest image: DIY garden lighting with upcycled items at dusk along garden path.

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Stephanie Hofer

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What New . . .

I’m a DIY enthusiast at heart—after all it’s in my DNA, thanks to my parents and grandparents who are avid DIYers. I’m also a devoted wife and mother of three amazing kids who keep me on my toes. My DIY journey began after my husband, Dan and I bought our first home. With high-end taste and a tight budget, I was determined to transform our builder-grade space with creativity and minimal cost. There’s nothing more satisfying than taking something unwanted and making it into a cherished piece, whether I’m restoring a vintage dresser or upcycling everyday finds.

I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned along the way and helping others create beautiful spaces without breaking the bank! When I’m not hunting for new DIY projects, I love spending time outdoors with my family, hiking, snowshoeing, and traveling.

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