The easiest, cheapest landscape lighting hack ever. Set a few of these glowing outdoor orbs in your backyard and they'll have more impact than installing an outdoor kitchen and an infinity pool. Not really. But still - they're really nice and quick to make.
Get ready for it ... this one's a doozy. Doozie? Doosey. It's a humdinger. THIS is one of the posts that put me on the map when I started my blog over 10 years ago. Between this post and How to Make a Personal Fire Pit I was the reigning Queen of Pinterest for the summer of 2010. Or maybe it was 2011. Either way I wore a sash and started picking out Corgi names.
All of this from old light shades and string lights.
It looks high end with a side of huge impact, It costs next to nothing, And even if being "handy" to you means replacing your regular lightbulbs with eco-friendly ones ... you'll be able to do this in 3 minutes flat.
That's right. Some old glass shades, some old (outdoor) Christmas lights and BAM. You're a backyard badass baroness. (There can only be one Queen)
In my attempt to make my backyard a teensy bit more contemporary than my 180 year old house I ran into a few problems. Contemporary outdoor lighting is EXPENSIVE. That's what led me to creating my own.
If I'm gonna shell out a whole whack of cash for something in my backyard it's gonna be on a tenderloin for the BBQ. Or a better BBQ. Or a talking parrot who refers to me as Princess Leia. It isn't gonna be for lighting if I can help it.
So while perusing the local second hand store I came across some truly unfortunate stains on the carpet AND the ubiquitous opaque glass shades. You've probably thrown a few out in your lifetime. Stop doing that. Stop it right now.
And here's the best part! You know those stupid, anger inducing mini lights you have shoved in your basement? The ones where only half of the string lights up? Yeah, um ... this is a perfect use for them. PERFECT!
Just stick the glass shades anywhere you want and stuff them full of mini lights. Attach an extension cord if you need to and hide it under your garden dirt or mulch. I have my lights on a timer so they come on every night at dusk.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
When I first made these 10 years or so ago solar lighting was pathetic. 3 legged dog in the rain pathetic. Now they're a lot better and they'd be a good way to light these up as well as long as you have a place you can place the solar panel that gets a lot of sun. In the case of my backyard that isn't a good option.
These are the solar powered lights I'd use if you have enough sun.
I pulled the HUGE orbs you see in the second photo near the top of this post out of someone's garbage.
They look beautifull. And it wasn't a fluke that I found these in a second hand store. Every time I've gone into a second hand store I've noticed these shades there. Goodwill, Salvation Army, random Bible Stores ... they're always in there.
Flea markets have them as well! They're usually around $1 - $3 each.
If you don't have a second hand store near you, you can order these shades on Amazon. But the price fluctuates wildly. Sometimes you can get them for $4.99 each for a 6" shade and sometimes they're over $20. And it would be stupid to spend $10 - $15 when you can spend $1 - $3. Right?
Plus reduce, reuse, recycle and all that stuff. If a second hand store doesn't have them now they will, just keep checking back.
Trust me. Queen Princess Leia wouldn't lie to you.
p.s. Look here to learn how to turn these same glass shades into a birdfeeder and Look here to learn how I used them in the winter!
Maggie
What about moisture/rain with electric cords and all??
Michaele
I just discovered your site...gotta love Pinterest! I love this idea of the globe lights and have been wondering what I'll do with the solar Christmas lights I've had on the deck...not wanting the Christmas look all year round. This is perfect for them. And for inside for those partially working strings of plugin lights. I think it would be charming to have them scattered throughout the house. Thanks so much for this idea! I've got you bookmarked now, too!
brandie
You can also paint them with gliw.in.the dark paint. It is about 4 a can at walmart. It is a spray paint.
Joan Klein
I didn't read all the comments to see if anyone suggested solar string lights but they work great and take care of the problem of not having an outlet. I have several different versions all over my yard and they make the yard look like a fairyland!
Anita
How about solar string lights? On at dusk, off at dawn (or when the battery drains-whichever comes first). I have several strings-they're pretty bright. Separate solar panel could be staked somewhere inobtrusive.
Karen
Hi Anita. Yup, other readers have had success with solar lights. It wouldn't work in my particular backyard because there isn't enough sun. ~ karen!
Tanya
Awesome, how about the little solar lights?
Karen
Hi Tanya! Some people have had success with solar lights, other people find they aren't brigt enough. I guess it probably depends on the brand/type but totally doable! ~ karen!
Renee
these would be gorgeous in my Oasis..getting ready to drag my christmas lights back out...love this. thank you for sharing this with us.
Karen
No problem Renee. That's what I'm here for! ~ karen
Angela
Hi was wounding if this would work
With solar lights
Karen
Hi Angela. I've never tried it, but other readers have and depending on the solar light, it works well! ~ karen
lyn
okay right.. see someone has mentioned that... sorry
Karen
Lol, no problem. ~ karen!
lyn
Looove this idea but a bit worried about what happens when it rains?
Linda Juneau
Great ideas! Love them!
Cindy Reynolds
Great idea....and gonna try it myself....BUT please never use lights that are NOT meant to go outside....it is a fire hazard....same with extension
cords....only use the kind that are meant to go outside!!!
Karen
HI Cindy - Yes, that's what it states in the post. :) ~ karen!
Irene
Hi Karen!
I stumbled across your blog a few days ago and have been gorging myself on your humour ever since. :-)
But, but, but.. OMG!
This morning I woke up with soooo much energy that I was wizzing around the house doing 10 things at once, and it suddenly struck me! "Use the fancy old 1930's (?) glass shade and the string of fairy lights you have left over together!", and I did, and it looks awesome.
But but but! This evening (now) I come back to peruse more of your posts, and lo and bebloodyhold! Gobsmacked. :-O
My lights are solar, with the separate panel, and they light up the shade beautifully.
Also, thank you for your very special brand of humour; you too add light to the world. :-)
Karen
Hi Irene! LOL. Very clever. And welcome to my site! ~ karen
Irene
Thank you. It is a great pleasure to be here. :-)
Bonnie Haas
Love them all, sooo classy!
Karen
LOL. Thanks Bonnie! I'm pretty partial to both of them as well. :) ~ karen!
Bonnie Haas
Don't know which I like best, orbs or bird feeders!! Both are so classy!!
MaryAnne
This is a Fab Idea...I used these globes and painted them too...One a snowman head and used felt for a scarf and hat....and a pumpkins for the fall...
Kathy
Hi, these are awesome, but I'm concerned about the extension cords under dirt to mulch.....what happens during rainy weather? Thanks!
Karen
Hi Kathy - There's no problem with the extension cords outside. They're outdoor cords so they're meant to be out in the rain and snow. Not to worry. ~ karen!
Tammy
I love that fountain, fid you make thay as well....if so please dish on how to diy
Smooches
Karen
Hi Tammy - Yup. I build/do most things around the house myself. Hence this blog. :) If you read my "How I Built My Backyard" post that's about all the information I have on the waterfall building. But basically all I did was stack leftover pieces of slate and let the top ones overhang. Then I ran my pump hose to the top of that piece of slate. (I hid the hose under another layer of slate on top) And just like that, you have a waterfall. ~ karen!
LV Tutu
In the 70"s we used to put xmas tinsel with varied colored lights.....different effect.
Beth W
Vinyl silhouettes on the outside-instant Halloween goodness. Thank you for such a terrific idea.
Karen
GASP! Thank YOU for yours Beth! ~ karen