Don't Toss Your Old Colander: Easily Turn It Into A Stylish DIY Solar Lamp

Solar lights are an excellent way to illuminate a walkway, patio, or other outdoor space without the expense of hard-wiring new fixtures or increased utility bills. More than just a way to brighten up your home, incorporating solar fixtures into your outdoor lighting plans can also help deter unwanted pests or intruders. Unfortunately, whether you opt for staked or string versions, most solar lights aren't much to look at. Crafter Olivia Parazine figured out a way to change that by creating a stylish DIY solar lamp using a few inexpensive finds from Dollar Tree. To make it, she spray painted a plastic colander that was cut to make room for a small solar light, before attaching her new lamp to a plant hanging chain to display it.

Along with being incredibly simple even for beginners, the best part of this craft is how affordable it is to complete. Instead of spending $100 on a similar outdoor chandelier, you'll only need to spend around $10 on supplies to make your own. It will cost even less if you don't toss your old colanders, since they're surprisingly easy to repurpose as lampshades. However, even if you need to purchase one specifically for this project you can find plastic versions at Dollar Tree for just $1.25 each. While you're there, pick up a Garden Collection Planter Pot Chain and a basic solar light. Unless you love the color of your colander already, you'll also need a can of spray paint in the color of your choice.

To light up your porch or patio with this easy DIY, start by removing the rim of your old colander. Plastic ones can be easily cut with sharp kitchen scissors, but you may need to use a Dremel or rotary cutting tool if your old colander is made of metal. Next, cut a hole in the bottom just large enough to snugly fit your solar light into place. Once you're done trimming and cutting, spray paint your colander. Consider using a metallic finish on the inside so its reflective quality will increase the overall illumination from your solar light.

@oliviasromantichome

🌿Diy Dollar Tree solar hanging lamp!🌿 @Dollar Tree #dollartree #dollartreediy #VocêNasceuParaMudar

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Once your old colander has dried, push your solar light into the opening. If you plan to hang your new solar lamp in an area with high winds or other extreme weather, you may want to consider using a little E6000 adhesive to permanently secure it. However, to make it easier on yourself to swap out the light when it reaches the end of its life, use as little adhesive as possible.

The final step is optional, because you could simply set your stylish new lamp on a patio table or porch step as long as it will receive enough sunlight exposure to charge your solar light. However, to create the dramatic chandelier effect, clip each end of a planter pot chain to the colander, making sure to space them equally to keep your new solar lamp from looking lopsided.

Whether it has small slits or large holes, an old colander naturally lends itself to being repurposed as a lampshade because it offers an attractive bell shape that provides diffused illumination. That said, like many DIY outdoor lighting ideas this one is ripe for customization. Spray paint can only do so much, which is why other crafters on social media have combined colanders into a ball by tying them together with zip ties, added faux flowers secured with a little hot glue, and even incorporated other discarded kitchen items like graters into their solar lamp designs.

There are other practical modifications that may be worth considering, too. If you love the look of this stylish solar lamp but are concerned it won't receive enough sun, try swapping the solar light for a battery-powered LED option. If you want to increase the illumination even further, consider winding a thin strand of fairy lights through the holes in your colander in addition to either a solar- or battery-powered bulb.

No matter how you decide to customize your DIY colander lamp, choose your materials and final location carefully. Exposure to harsh weather can deteriorate crafts over time, so make sure your spray paints and solar lights are rated for outdoor use. If you decide to add faux flowers, use plastic ones instead of silk. And even if you've chosen a protected spot for hanging it outdoors, it may be wisest to store your solar lamp indoors during the harshest winter months.