Turn Lampshades Into The Cutest DIY Solar Lights For Your Patio

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When it comes to elevating the atmosphere of your outdoor spaces, nothing gives the area a welcoming warmth and coziness quite like exterior lighting. The soft glow of decorative light fixtures not only adds function by illuminating the space, but also an enveloping ambiance that encourages you to relax and stay a while. Some of the most impactful outdoor lighting options for entertaining and creating that living-area-feel are hanging fixtures reminiscent of their indoor counterparts, though many of us do not have the option to hardwire fixtures outdoors. Thankfully, the internet is full of genius ways to use the outdoor elements to your advantage, creating exterior light fixtures for the ultimate cozy vibe with solar power instead of electrical.

TikTok user Joanna (project_34_selfbuild) shared how she created gorgeous outdoor pendants using only small lamp shades and solar bulbs. By using the lightbulbs to hold the lampshades in place and hanging the combo from the beams of a pergola, she was able to create self-charging outdoor light fixtures over her patio dining table. This hack will work to add ambiance to any outdoor space with good daytime direct sun exposure to properly charge the solar battery, and some sort of overhead hanging location, such as a pergola, beam, or even tree limb to suspend the fixture.

To create your own outdoor sun-powered pendant lights, you'll need lightweight, weather-resistant lamp shades, solar lights, and wire, twine, or rope for hanging the fixtures. Let's break down all the details about how to select your supplies, as well as tips for the best placement to maximize efficiency and sparkle only your patio, deck, or lawn.

As for selecting a lamp shade, a smaller shade will likely work best since the weight rests on the bulb. Shades with an open weave will be less affected by wind than solid shades, as it can blow through the openings in the material. Choose a shade that is meant for the outdoors, or plan to seal it with a weatherproof sealer for longevity.

Because the shade will be supported by the bulb, find a shade with an Uno metal lamp fitting, which has a larger hole that fits the base of the bulb through the opening. The structure of the shade fitting is crucial, since the solar bulb fixture must fit through the hole, and the entire light hangs from the fixture. A small hole for a screw and washer shade attachment or a tension spider fittings will not work in this application.

When it comes to the solar bulb itself, there are a couple styles on the market. First, there is an all-in-one smaller bulb shape unit with a solar panel at the base of the unit like the one used on TikTok. An example is the pearstar Solar Garden Light Bulbs, which are $24.99 for a six-pack. These lightweight units are perfect for petite lamp shades to add a little twinkle all around the yard. Alternatively, they make solar tops for larger standard lightbulbs to screw into that boast a bigger solar panel, can support a slightly larger shade, and provide more wattage. You can find them on Amazon, like the JKIMK Store Replacement Solar Light Tops for $16.90 for a two-pack.

To assemble your outdoor solar pendant, turn the bulb upside down so the base -– which may or may not have a solar panel on it, depending on the style you bought -– is facing upwards. From the bottom of the shade, insert the base up though the hole in the Uno fitting as far as it will go. The shade fitting will rest on the bulb. If you bought solar tops instead of the all-in-one solar bulbs, thread the solar top onto the bulb.

With your shade and bulb assembled like on TikTok, you are now ready to hang it up. Most solar bulbs options come with some kind of hook or loop for hanging them upside down. Attach string, twine, rope, or chain to the bulb and tie it onto an overhead pergola, beam, or tree limb so that it is suspended but has plenty of sun exposure for charging during the day.

While the TikToker opted to hang a pair of outdoor solar pendants over her dining table for the ultimate entertaining boost, you could also use these outdoor light fixtures throughout your exterior space. Try hanging them from a tree branch over a hammock for the perfect evening reading spot. Or suspend one over a coffee table for cozy living-area-vibes in your outdoor seating area. You could also suspend a light over a side table and chairs to create a conversation or reading spot in an otherwise unused corner. How you make the most of your cozy illumination is up to you, but regardless, this solar bulb and shade hack will help keep your outdoor space glowing every night for the ultimate ambiance.