DIY I Solar Light Ideas to Brighten Up Your Outdoor Space

A beautiful outdoor space needs beautiful lighting. Harsh spotlights or wires running across walkways can ruin the ambiance. That’s why a solar light is such a fantastic solution for backyard, porch, or patio lighting. Solar lights are self-contained units that charge up from sunlight during the day to provide gentle, ambient lighting at night.

With solar lights, you can avoid the hassle and expense of hiring an electrician to install wired low voltage landscape lighting. Plus, solar lights allow you to illuminate parts of your yard that would be difficult to wire for electricity.

Installing solar lighting outdoors is an easy DIY project. With a few basic supplies and some creativity, you can make your own stylish and sustainable solar-powered lighting. This guide will provide ideas and instructions for 5 different DIY solar light projects to brighten up your outdoor living space.

Benefits of Solar Lighting for Your Yard

Before jumping into the projects, let’s first go over why solar lighting is such a great choice for your outdoor spaces:

Cost Effective

Since solar lights don’t require wiring or an electrician, they are very budget-friendly. A full set of solar pathway or spot lights costs a fraction of what hardwired lighting would run. Solar lights also don’t add anything to your energy bill each month. After the initial purchase cost, they provide free ongoing lighting.

Easy to Install

With no wiring involved, installing solar lighting simply involves sticking them in the ground or hanging them from trees, fences or posts. Even someone with minimal DIY skills can handle installation. And because there are no wires, you have lots of flexibility in where you position lights.

Versatile Placement

Not being limited by access to electrical outlets allows you to get creative in where you place solar lighting. Illuminate garden pathways, highlight architectural features, brighten up seating areas, or add a welcoming glow by an entryway.

Provides Safety and Security

Positioning solar spotlights to brighten up pathways and stairs helps prevent trips and falls at night. Strategically placed solar security floodlights with motion sensors can also help deter intruders.

Eco-Friendly Light Source

Using the power of the sun, solar lights are a renewable energy source. So you can light up your property sustainably, without increasing your carbon footprint.

Read More: Patio Perfection: Discovering the Best Appliances for Your Outdoor Living Space

5 Creative DIY Solar Lighting Projects

Now that you know the advantages of using solar power for your outdoor lighting, here are 5 DIY solar lighting builds you can create using basic materials and a little ingenuity:

1. Upcycled Solar Mason Jar Lights

• Rustic solar mason jar lights made from upcycled materials
• Use along garden pathways or to highlight planting beds
• Easy beginner DIY solar lighting project

Time Estimate: 30 minutes

Materials Needed:

• Glass mason jars (1 pint size) – 4
• Solar fairy lights or solar string lights with removable batteries – 4 strands
• Decorative rocks, pebbles or marbles (optional)
• Craft glue (optional)

Tools:

• Hot glue gun

Instructions

Mason jars make for super cute, eco-friendly holders for outdoor solar lights. Upcycling used jars gives this project a fun, rustic vibe.

The solar lights charge up from the sun by day, then emit a soft glow once the sun goes down. They work great to illuminate garden paths or accent planting beds and flower pots.

Here’s how to make your own solar mason jar lights:

1. Clean used mason jars. Remove any labels and wash thoroughly. Allow to dry completely.
2. Add decorative fillers (optional). For a more finished, decorative look you can fill the bottom half of the jars with items like marbles, river rocks or sea glass before inserting lights. Use craft glue to hold filler materials in place.
3. Insert solar fairy light strands. Carefully feed the wire and bulb of a solar fairy light strand down through the mouth of the jar. Leave the solar panel resting on top of the lid. The lights turn on automatically at dusk.
4. Attach lids. You can glue lids in place with hot glue to make them water resistant. Or, leave lids loose to allow changing batteries when they wear out.
5. Position around yard. Place finished solar mason jar lights along walkways, in flower beds or on stair railings. Position them where they’ll get full sunlight during the day for optimal charging.

Get creative with different sized or colored jars. Add a custom design using glass paint or use tinted blue or green jars for beautiful effects.

2. DIY Solar-Powered String Lights

• Ambient lighting powered by the sun – no electrical hookup needed
• Create a magical atmosphere in your outdoor living space
• Customize lengths to work for your patio, pergola or garden

Time Estimate: 3-4 hours

Materials:

• Solar panel designed for 12V DC system (10 watt) – 1
• 12V battery (8Ah or higher recommended) – 1
• 12V 5A PWM solar charge controller with display – 1
• 16AWG or thicker two-conductor wire (black & red)
• Outdoor commercial string lights (24-50 bulbs) – 1 set
• 12V light socket adapters – match quantity to number of bulbs
• Crimp connectors and heat shrink tubing
• 1/4″ stainless steel screw eye hooks
• UV resistant zip ties – 16

Tools:

• Wire strippers
• Crimping tool
• Drill with 1/4” drill bit
• Heat gun
• Pliers
• Ladder

Instructions

Take your patio or pergola to the next level by adding custom solar-powered string lights. With no electrical hookup required, you can easily add gorgeous lighting anywhere outdoors.

Follow these instructions to build your own solar string light system:

1. Set up solar panel. Choose a spot, like on top of a pergola post, where it will get full sun throughout the day. Use screw eye hooks on either side and tie panel in place horizontally using zip ties.
2. Mount battery box & charge controller. Keep box in shaded area close to lights, mounted up high enough to protect from rain and sprinklers.
3. Connect solar panel to charge controller. Run wires from back of solar panel to charge controller input terminals, red wire to positive (+), black wire to negative (-).
4. Connect lights to charge controller. Run wires from lights down to charge controller output terminals. Attach light socket adapters.
5. Program controller. Set to 12V lighting system. Adjust settings like light duration as needed.

With the sun powering your string lights, you can create beautiful ambiance day after day. Enjoy dinner parties, evening cocktails or late nights under the stars!

Tip: For more bulbs, use multiple solar panels, batteries and charge controllers in parallel.

3. Decorative DIY Solar Garden Lanterns

• Attractive accent lighting to illuminate garden pathways
• Create from scratch using simple materials
• Fun weekend DIY project with lots of customization options

Time Estimate:  5-6 hours

Materials Needed:

• 1×3 pine boards – two 8 ft lengths
• 1×2 pine boards – one 8 ft length
• Exterior wood screws – ~20
• Exterior wood glue
• Watertight LED solar light with on/off switch
• Hardware cloth – 18″ x 27″ piece
• Decorative stain and sealant (optional)
• 45-degree angle metal brackets – 8
• Gray outdoor paint (optional)

Tools

• Circular or miter saw
• Drill
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Sandpaper
• Paintbrush
• Safety gear – gloves, eye protection, etc.

Instructions

Add beautiful ambiance along your garden pathways or accent your plantings with these easy DIY solar lanterns. Constructing them is a fun weekend project. Plus, you can customize the size and style design.

Follow these step-by-step directions:

1. Cut wood pieces. From 1×3 boards, cut 4 legs to 24” length and 4 crosspiece supports to 16” length. Cut 1×2 board to a 40” length for top piece.
2. Assemble rectangular frame. Lay out cut 1×3 pieces. Attach together using wood glue and screws to form a rectangle. Use angle brackets to reinforce corners.
3. Add top piece. Position 1×2 board across top section of frame. Attach using glue and screws.
4. Cut hardware cloth. Measure frame dimensions to cut hardware cloth. Stretch taut across bottom section of frame. Use scissors to trim. Staple or use lath strips to attach.
5. Insert solar light. Place assembled lantern frame upside down. Position solar light unit with on/off switch facing down through hole in top piece. Attach using screws.
6. Apply stain and sealant. For added durability, use an outdoor stain and sealant formulated for wood projects. Apply using a brush in smooth strokes.
7. Position lanterns. Place finished lanterns along garden pathways or near steps and plantings. Ensure solar panels get sunlight to charge batteries.

For a more finished decorative look, paint the wood frame using an outdoor gray paint prior to construction in Step 1 or assemble lanterns using pre-stained pine boards.

Get creative with different leg heights and panel shapes – hexagons, diamonds, etc. The design possibilities are endless!

4. Hanging Solar Chandelier

• Gorgeous, one-of-a-kind lighting feature
• Solar-powered so no electrical hookup required
• Perfect for pergolas, gazebos or porches

Time Estimate: 4-5 hours

Materials:

• Decorative pendant light or chandelier with dome top – 1
• 5-watt solar panel kit with battery box – 1
• 16AWG two-conductor wire (red and black)
• 1″x 1″ lumber – one 8 ft length
• Exterior wood screws – 1 box
• Outdoor semi-gloss paint/sealant (optional)

Tools:

• Drill
• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers
• Stud finder
• Pencil
• Ladder
• Paint brush (optional)

Instructions:

Installing a solar-powered chandelier is a unique way to add gorgeous lighting to your outdoor space without needing access to electrical outlets. Follow these steps:

1. Install ceiling mount. Using lumber, construct frame to securely attach chandelier fixture to structure ceiling. Paint to seal and decorate.
2. Mount solar panel. Ensure panel gets 5+ hours of direct sun daily. Use screws to mount to vertical surface like wall or post, facing skyward. Keep wires out of elements.
3. Run wiring. Run wires from solar panel down to ceiling box housing battery/light adapter wiring. Keep wires neatly organized.
4. Connect wires. Attach the positive and negative wires from the solar panel wiring to the battery box wires within ceiling light fixture mount using crimp connectors.
5. Install chandelier. Hang the chandelier pendant light onto the installed ceiling attachment mount. Ensure dome top piece is oriented upright for solar panel receiver.
6. Turn on lights. The chandelier should illuminate on its own at dusk each evening!

Position your new solar chandelier under a pergola or patio cover to really make the space stand out after dark. The solar component keeps energy costs down while letting you have gorgeous custom lighting effects.

Use decoratively painted lumber that coordinates with the color scheme of your outdoor space for the ceiling mount. And look for iron chandeliers with ornate decorative design elements to take the style factor to the next level.

5. Upcycled Hanging Solar Jar Lights

• Rustic, earthy style solar lighting
• Made from upcycled mason jars
• Perfect for porches, patios, pergolas

Time Estimate: 1 hour

Materials:

• Glass mason jars – 4
• Solar string lights with removable batteries – 2 sets
• Twine, rope or raffia
• Decorative outdoor adhesive vinyl (optional)

Tools:

• Clean rags
• Scissors or box cutter
• Tape measure

Instructions:

Recycling glass mason jars into solar-powered hanging lights is an easy way to add charming lighting to your outdoor space. The removable solar light strands charge up from the sun by day, and then emit a soft ambient glow when the sun goes down.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Clean mason jars. Remove any labels, wash thoroughly and allow to fully dry.
2. Decorate jars (optional). Apply decorative vinyl or use glass paint pens to personalize the jars with patterns, names, floral motifs, etc. Get creative!
3. Insert solar lights. Carefully insert the battery end of a solar light strand down into each mason jar, allowing the solar panel to rest on top of the lid.
4. Seal lids. To waterproof, run a small bead of clear silicone or hot glue around the jar threads before tightly screwing on lids.
5. Add hangers. Cut 4 equal lengths of rope, twine or raffia. Tie securely around lid lip to create a hanging loop.
6. Hang lights. Hang your upcycled solar mason jars from tree branches, fences, porch or pergola beams. Aim panels towards areas of full sun.
7. Enjoy the glow! Turn the switch on and let your homemade solar lights add perfect ambiance at sunset each evening.

Get creative with different colored jars, fillers like flowers or decorative beads, or by tying clusters of multiple jars together. This eco-friendly lighting DIY project is endlessly customizable!

Read More: DIY Landscaping Guide for Beginners: Creating Your Dream Garden

More Tips for an Eye-catching Outdoor Solar Lighting Design

Beyond the 5 project ideas outlined above, there are endless possibilities when working with solar illumination! Here are some additional tips:

• Combine solar lighting types: For example, place decorative solar lanterns along a garden path lit by stakeholders. Using different solar lighting for different functions creates an attractive, cohesive design.
• Use colors strategically: Incorporate complementary or contrasting colors with your solar lights and landscape elements to make certain features pop. For example, blue or purple glass solar jars can beautifully coordinate with hydrangeas.
• Highlight key areas: Use brighter path lights to direct people to entrances or seating spaces. Spotlights on trees or architectural features draw attention to prized parts of your landscape.
• Design a theme: Choose a style like modern or coastal, and let it inform all your solar lighting choices. For example, beach-themed could mean blue solar jars with shells and rope accents.
• Remember motion sensor options: For security purposes, solar spotlights and floodlights can detect movements and automatically increase illumination when activated. Position them strategically near gates or vulnerable areas.
• Use lighting zones: Group sets of solar lighting to create designated mood lighting. For instance, install string lighting over a patio set-up for intimate dining. Use path lighting elsewhere to simply navigate.

Get Started with DIY Solar Projects

We hope this guide has sparked some inspiration for easy-to-build solar-powered lighting projects! Use it to help choose which of the 5 designs – or a combination of designs – would work best to enhance your patio, porch steps, garden or other outdoor living spaces.

The necessary materials for most of these eco-friendly lighting ideas can be found affordably at your local hardware or home improvement store. Or you can shop online for specialized solar products and lights.

As you install your custom solar lights, make sure to place the solar panels in optimum sun-facing positions so they can sufficiently charge. And refer back to the instructions if you need guidance on wiring components or placing lights for maximum effect.

Soon you’ll be enjoying sustainable outdoor background lighting, accent lighting or security lighting – all powered by free solar energy. No electrician or special skills are needed!