Gardener Turns Two Dollar Tree Bowls Into Modern Outdoor Lights

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Looking for a way to add some outdoor lighting without breaking the bank? Take inspiration from the dazzling Dollar Tree hack that lights up outdoor spaces, but with an idea that's a little less festive and better for year-round lighting. Instagram creator vintageandgraceliving shared a genius DIY that transforms a pair of punch bowls and solar globe lights into modern light spheres for a garden or yard.

This brilliant idea is made entirely from Dollar Tree and Amazon items, making it incredibly low-cost for individuals on a budget. There's no need to invest in expensive lighting when you can strategically drop these light-up spheres around a yard for a modern-inspired appearance. Another perk of these lights is that they charge up during the day and light up on their own at night. Therefore, there's no need to connect any power cords or remember to switch them on and off to save energy.

Making this modern design requires two Dollar Tree Plastic Crystal Cut Punch Bowls, $5 each, and one DetarZinLED Flat Solar Deck Step Light per light sphere. These solar lights come in warm white, white, and blue light, depending on what color best befits your landscape. A pack of four sells for about $30 on Amazon. The materials are cost-effective, giving you the freedom to make as many as your budget allows. You can place them anywhere in a garden or yard, and relocate them as needed. Essentially, they're just as versatile as they are affordable.

Begin by drilling a small hole in the bottom of one of the bowls. This hole should be placed in the bowl that forms the top half of the sphere, allowing sunlight through to charge the solar light inside. The original DIYer gave the punch bowls a classier appearance by spraying over them with a semi-transparent, frosted glass paint, like the 11-ounce Rust-Oleum Frosted Glass Paint Spray on Amazon for $10. If you follow this lead, also add a water-resistant finish, such as the 12-oz Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover Spray Clear Paint for $8 on Amazon, since the frosted glass paint isn't designed to withstand consistent water exposure.

Tuck the solar light in one of the punch bowls and place four dots of E6000 Craft Adhesive (you can get a little under 4 ounces for $10 on Amazon) around the top rim. Stick the bowl with a drilled hole on top, and let it sit for 72 hours to ensure it's fully cured and waterproof. Then place the stylish light outside in a garden. The original DIYer scattered the completed pieces around a mulched area, adding variety and a modern touch to a space filled with sporadic plants.

This is a great addition to outdoor spaces with other contemporary DIY features, like the cheaper, modern alternative to concrete planters for gardens. The globes are great for lighting up spaces that are naturally darker, much like other Dollar Tree finds you can turn into glowing walkway lights. Illuminating darkened areas makes your property look bigger and adds security, as light discourages potential criminals. It also serves a functional purpose and makes your garden safer to navigate during darker hours. This keeps your household and visitors from tripping over smaller plants and roots that may be protruding from the ground when visibility is low.