Want to build your own lantern for your home decor? There are a ton of possibilities! Here are a ton of DIY lantern ideas!
I love a good lantern for home decor. Lanterns can add a rustic, or coastal feel to your space.
They also can add literal light, and if used the right way, can be a really dramatic piece of home decor.
However, finding the perfect lantern that matches your personal style and fits your actual budget can be challenging.
That’s where DIY lanterns come into play!
DIY lanterns not only provide a cost-effective option, but they also give you the freedom to customize and create a lantern that is unique to your style – on your budget!
Here are some of my favorite DIY lantern ideas!
How to make a lantern
You can make lanterns from wood, jars, or upcycled items. It’s easy to make homemade lanterns using:
- Mason Jars
- Scrap wood
- Picture frames
- Metal parts
- Paper or cardstock
- Tin can
What to put inside lanterns
You can leave lanterns empty, or fill them with items such as:
- Sand
- Sea Shells
- Pinecones
- Fairy lights (battery operated)
- Battery powered pillar candle
- Small vase or jar
DIY lantern ideas
Here are some of my favorite homemade lantern ideas!
DIY lantern ideas
Here are a ton of DIY lantern ideas that you can make this weekend!
We built these HUGE wooden lanterns to go on either side of the TV. We have free woodworking plans so you can build them, too!
This is a simpler wooden lantern that we built using wood slats and nails!
I love the creativity in this tutorial on how to make a lantern from frames.
This is a great tutorial showing how to turn glass jars or vases into beachy lanterns.
This wooden lantern is easy to build from scrap wood!
I can't get over the creativity of this metal lantern - made from GRILL PARTS!
Use mason jars and scrap pieces of wood to make these wall hanging lanterns.
This tutorial includes a free printable to make paper lanterns to go around glass jars.
These chunky wooden lanterns are easy to build and perfect for indoors or out.
This is a super simple way to upcycle jars into lanterns!
How cool is this lantern - made from an enamel mug!
This lantern is designed to cover a ceiling light fixture, and yes, she made it from scratch!
Shop lanterns
Prefer to shop for lanterns? Here are some of my favorites!
What are your favorite lantern ideas?!
Looking for something?
We’ve been doing this since 2012 so we have a LOT of blog posts!
Search stuff like: Ceiling Projects | DIY Plant Stands | Thrift Flips
Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!