• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Woodshop Diaries
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • DIY Projects
    • DIY Furniture Plans
      • DIY Bed Plans
      • DIY Dresser Plans
      • DIY Nightstand Plans
      • DIY Desk Plans
      • DIY TV Stand Plans
      • Coffee and Side Table Plans
      • Tables
      • Shelves and Bookcase Plans
      • DIY Storage Trunk Plans
      • DIY Bench Plans
      • DIY Storage Cabinet Plans
      • DIY Bathroom Vanity Plans
      • Kids Projects and Furniture
    • DIY Scrap Wood Projects
    • DIY Workshop Projects
    • DIY Home Decor Projects
  • DIY Basics–Tips & Tools
    • Cabinet Building
    • Woodworking Basics
    • Furniture Finishing Tips
    • Tool Guides & Reviews
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Woodworking Basics
  • Browse Projects by Category
  • Easy DIY Projects
  • DIY Furniture Plans
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Woodworking » DIY Scrap Wood Projects » DIY Outdoor Scrap Wood Lantern

    DIY Outdoor Scrap Wood Lantern

    May 6, 2021 by Shara, Woodshop Diaries

    In this post, I’ll show you how to make and customize your own DIY outdoor scrap wood lantern!

    .

    How cute are these?? You can make just one or several in different sizes.

    DIY outdoor scrap wood lanterns in three sizes on front porch

    My mom recently asked me to make her some simple wooden outdoor lanterns that she could hang on her pergola in the back yard and put some solar lights inside.

    .

    She wanted different sizes, so I made these three and they’re super easy to customize so you can mix and match and make any size you need.

    .

    I dug around my shop and found some scrap cedar for this project. Cedar is great for outdoor projects since it’s naturally rot resistant, but you can use any wood for this and use a good outdoor paint or sealant to protect it.

    Scrap cedar laid out on workbench

    Now, let’s get building 🙂

    Tools and Materials:

    This post contains affiliate links. See policies.

    Materials:

    • Scrap wood (amount depends on size and how many you make)
    • Wood Glue
    • Brad nails

    Tools:

    • Table saw (optional)
    • Miter saw (or any saw that can cut a straight line)
    • Nail Gun

    Step 1: Determine Lantern Base Size

    My mom had purchased some little solar lights (I don’t know where she got them, but here are some similar) that she wanted to set inside the lanterns. So first, I needed to measure these and make sure to build these large enough for the lights to sit down into.

    Measuring tape measuring the diameter of solar light

    These were about 5″ in diameter, so I made my base about 7 ¼″ square. A typical 1×8 board is actually 7 ¼″ wide, so I just cut three pieces of 1×8 to 7 ¼″ long to give me three squares.

    Step 2: Build Outdoor Scrap Wood Lantern Base

    The bases of these lanterns are a simple box with these 7 ¼″ square pieces nailed to the top. So I cut four pieces that when put together, will make a 7 ¼″ square box.

    Pieces cut and on workbench ready to assemble base

    Now, I made these boxes different heights for each lantern.

    .

    For the tall lantern, I used 1x3s (which are 2 ½″), for the middle, I used 1x4s (which are 3 ½″) and for the short one, I trimmed the pieces to 4 ½″ wide so each box was 1″ taller than the other.

    .

    I glued and nailed these boxes together.

    Nail gun and wood glue on workbench used to assemble small square box for lantern base

    Then, I glued and nailed the 7 ¼″ square pieces on top of each box.

    Top plate attached to square lantern base box

    Step 3: Build Scrap Wood Lantern Frames

    For the top sections of the lanterns, I used ¾″ square dowels. You can purchase these precut dowels from the big box store, but if you have a table saw, you can simply rip any 1x board into ¾″ wide strips and make your own.

    .

    Each lantern frame will have 4 corner pieces and 8 pieces about 5 ½″ long.

    Pieces cut and laid out on workbench to assemble scrap wood lantern frame

    To change the height of the lantern, simply adjust the length of the four corner pieces. I cut my tall ones 14″ long, the middle 11″ long and the small one 8″ long.

    .

    I glued and nailed two frames together.

    Two rectangle frames assembled on workbench to make lantern top from

    Then, I glued and nailed the other pieces between them at the corners to complete the whole lantern frame.

    Lantern top frame assembled with wood glue and nails

    Step 4: Attach Lantern Frame to Base

    Once I had my bases and my frames complete, I put them all together.

    .

    I glued and nailed the tops to the bottoms like shown here.

    Top outdoor scrap wood lantern frame attached to bottom base box

    Step 5: Add Handle

    You can leave as is, but since my Mom planned to hang these from her pergola, I added a little wooden piece at the top to hang them from.

    .

    I just used some of my scrap pieces and glued and nailed a little handle across the top section of each lantern.

    Close up of scrap wood handle glued and nailed to top of lantern frame

    You may think that these won’t be strong enough to hang from, but you’d be surprised how strong wood glue is. It’s pretty impressive.

    .

    I think this alone should hold them fine, but you could always add some screws or a beefier handle if you wanted 🙂 Feel free to get creative!

    .

    You can apply a clear coat or a finish of your choosing (if you plan to use these outdoor, be sure to use an EXTERIOR finish). But I left these natural cedar.

    Three sizes of simple outdoor scrap wood lantern sitting on rug in front of front door

    Add your own solar lights, plants, decor, etc. And bring them inside or leave them outside…lanterns are such a fun and versatile project, you can move them around and use them tons of different ways.

    .

    So I hope you enjoyed this DIY outdoor scrap wood lantern project and I hope it’s inspired you to dig around your scrap wood pile and see what you can make! If you want more scrap wood project ideas, here’s a few of my favorites!

    • Scrap Wood Lantern
    • Floating wall shelves from scrap wood with industrial details
      Scrap Wood Wall Shelves
    • DIY Guitar Bookends--And Easy and Quick Scrap Wood Project
      Scrap Wood Bookends
    • X Cutting Board
    • How to make a super easy DIY scrap wood fall sign
      Scrap Wood Leaf Sign

    If you’d like to save this for later, don’t forget to pin it or share to your favorite social channel.

    Pinterest collage of scrap wood at top and lanterns at bottom with text "easy scrap wood outdoor lanterns"

    And if you’d like to follow along and see all the latest projects, posts, and videos, I’d love if you’d join our newsletter to stay in the loop!

    Until next time, happy building 🙂

    « Simple DIY Cutting Board–Made From an Old Door!
    DIY Wardrobe Armoire Cabinet–{Using 2x4s and Plywood!} »

    Related Posts

    Shara sitting in DIY porch swing bed small
    DIY Porch Swing Bed
    How to Build a DIY Rolling Scrap Wood Cart
    How to Build a Plywood and Scrap Wood Shop Cart
    DIY Wooden Christmas Village Display perfect for a simple Scandinavian Christmas Mantle
    DIY Wooden Christmas Village

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Shara, the designer, maker, and videographer behind Woodshop Diaries. Let's get building, friends :)

    Learn more →

    Woodworking Tips & Guides

    • DIY Simple Shaker Cabinet Doors
    • 5 Tools To Get Started Woodworking
    • DIY Kitchen Cabinets–From Only Plywood
    • Woodworking Tips: How to Square Board Edges and Make Your Own 2x2s

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Tips to Take Your Projects to the Next Level

    --5 Secrets to Professional Looking DIY Furniture

    --How to Properly Finish Raw Wood Furniture {Without a Sprayer!}

    --How to EASILY Cover Plywood Edges

    --4 Ways to Fill a Pocket Hole

    --10 Must Have Tools for Furniture and Cabinet Building

    Printable Building Plans

    Check out our shop to browse printable PDF building plans!

    Website Policies

    This website is for entertainment purposes. Using any information provided is to be at your own risk.

    This site uses cookies to provide you with a better experience.

    All images and text on this site are property of Woodshop Diaries, LLC. Please be respectful and don't steal this content.

    See policies page on this site for more information.

    Copyright © 2022