Turn Thrift Store Lamps Into Tall Outdoor Lanterns With This Impressive DIY

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Outdoor lighting isn't just practical. It changes the entire aesthetic of a space. Whether you want an opulent oasis or a cozy, rustic vibe, your lighting impacts how these looks are achieved. But it can be costly. Various landscape lighting ideas range in price, and the more you tend to customize them, the costlier they are. To save some cash, watch for thrift store steals on fixtures and revamp them yourself. But it's not lamp posts and solar stakes you should be searching the aisles for. It's lamps. YouTuber Designed to the Nines did exactly this with two column lamps. They then added lantern-style toppers for outdoor charm instead of the shades typically used indoors. The result is a cute mini lamp post that adds character to a porch or patio.

The method behind this genius thrift store lamp upcycle is to find models that mirror the look of light posts you'd find outside. Paint them to match your aesthetic, and wire the top to fit a finial or lantern cap. The project might involve a little more elbow grease than a visit to the lighting section at home centers, but the personalization factor makes it worthwhile. If you've been looking for outdoor lighting fixtures that will bring character to your yard but don't have the budget for a custom order, this is a great option to try.

Supplies to gather for this DIY include wire cutters, a screwdriver, sandpaper in a coarse grit to start with a finer one to finish the surface, wire caps like Romeda's 180 Piece Wire Connectors, and paint. Designed to the Nines used flat black spray paint, but you can go with any color of enamel formulated for the outdoors. For a classic lamp post that adds height, you'll also need a topper, like WISBEAM's Outdoor Post Light Pole Lantern. 

Sand the unplugged lamp base, and cover it in a coat of paint. Remove the neck where the bulb goes on, clip it off the internal cord, then splice it and strip the plastic coating to expose the wires. Connect the wires from your lantern topper to the ones inside the lamp neck with the plastic wire connectors. Depending on the components, you may be able to attach the new topper by simply screwing it onto the base. If not, you'll want to secure it with an outdoor adhesive.

If you don't like having to unplug or switch your new lamp on and off every day, look into how to wire a lamp post with a light sensor so it turns on automatically at night. Products like EPLZON's Dawn Sensor for Outdoor Lighting include a waterproof cover for safe outdoor use. Whatever you choose, you'll have a custom DIY lantern without paying overpriced ticket prices.