I can’t believe it’s already week 5 of the One Room Challenge. If you haven’t been following along, you can check out my plan to makeover our apartment balcony here. In this post, I am going to walkthrough how to create your own DIY outdoor lantern using a basket.
Like the rest of my projects, the main challenge with creating a light fixture for our balcony is that it cannot be permanent because we live in an apartment. So instead of getting involved with wiring a lamp, this project uses a wireless remote-controlled puck light.
Supplies needed to make this DIY outdoor lantern
Here are all of the supplies needed to make this DIY light fixture…
- Basket
- Wireless puck light
- Outdoor command hook
- Outdoor macrame cord
- Macrame ring
- Command strips or other adhesive
- Scissors
Steps to make a DIY outdoor lantern using a basket
Now that you have your supplies, let’s get into the steps to make your own DIY outdoor light fixture.
1. Measure the length your light should hang from
The first step for this DIY outdoor lighting project is to take some measurements. I recommend getting someone to help you and having them hold the basket at different heights so you can step back and see where it looks best. Then, using a measuring tape to identify how long the cord of your lantern should be in order to hang it in the ideal spot.
2. Remove the handles from the basket
The next step to make this DIY outdoor lantern is to remove the handles from the basket. This will vary depending on the basket you have. In my case, I had to use scissors to cut the reed wrapped around the handles and then using a hammer to pry the handles off.
If needed, sand the area where the handles were.
3. Create the macramé cord to hang the light
Next you will use macramé to create the cord for the light to hang from. When selecting a macramé cord to use for this project, be sure to select one that is intended for outdoor use to ensure it can withstand moisture and weather.
For this type of technique, you will want to start by cutting a piece of cord that is about 8x your desired end length.
If you are new to macramé, this video tutorial is really helpful to discover different types of basic macramé knot techniques. For this project, you will be using the lark’s head knot and the alternating half hitch knot.
First, take your macramé ring and attach the cord to the ring using a lark’s head knot.
Then, you will bring the left cord over the right and pull through the loop. Tighten the knot then repeat on the opposite side. Continue with this pattern until your cord is at your desired length, allow some extra at the bottom to secure it to the basket.
Tie each cord at the bottom to the lantern using a couple of tight knots. Be sure to make them equidistantly apart so the lantern will hang evenly. Trim any excess string as needed.
4. Attach your puck light to the basket
Now that the cord is attached, you will adhere the puck light to the basket. You can use command strips to do this or any other adhesive of your preference. Be sure to install any batteries needed before this step.
Then, test the remote to make sure the light works and now your lantern is ready to go.
5. Hang the command hook and lantern
The last step for this DIY outdoor light fixture is to hang the command hook. After giving it a few minutes to set, hang the lantern by putting the ring on the command hook. Make any adjustments as needed.
Now you have a great DIY outdoor lantern…
Whether you don’t want to get involved in wiring or you have an apartment where you cannot make any permanent changes to your space, this wireless lantern is a great alternative.
Stay tuned for next week – week 6 of the One Room Challenge!
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