The Low-Effort Dollar Tree DIY That Lights Up Your Yard On A Budget

If you want to elevate the ambiance of your backyard, solar lighting can help set the mood. Placing these types of lights along pathways, around pools, or scattering them in your garden creates a gorgeous effect after the sun goes down. But the truth is, yard decor isn't in everyone's budget. That's where Dollar Tree comes in — as they carry several items that can be transformed into solar-powered globes. With plastic bowls and lights, you can create decor pieces that shine beautifully at night after soaking up the sunshine. Plus, all of the materials cost less than most types of decorative lights available online.

It's important to pick the right outdoor solar lights for your needs. If you're looking for an easy and inexpensive solution for brightening up your yard, start by grabbing some eight inch Clear Plastic Serving Bowls from Dollar Tree. You'll need two bowls per globe, so the number you buy depends on how many globes you'd like to create. If you'd like to make larger ones with more intricate designs, you can use their 11.25 inch Crystal Cut Plastic Punch Bowls for the project. Both types of bowls are just $2. You'll need to grab one solar light per globe as well. The Solar Stair Lights work perfectly for this project and are only $1.25 each.

Start by removing the stickers from the bowls. You can either keep them clear or, for a frosted look, mist the inside of the bowls with a frosted glass spray paint. Place a solar light inside one of the bowls, making sure it's switched on. Using a strong adhesive like E6000, glue around the edge of the bowl, then flip the second one over and set it on top, matching the ridges together. That's it, now you have a magical solar globe for your yard! Repeat the steps to make additional ones and be sure to let them dry completely before adding them to your space.

You can pepper the globes all around your yard, and they will brighten it up at night. It's a great way to give Dollar Tree lights an upgrade, since the bowls make them look more like upscale outdoor decor. They can be set on tabletops, in between bushes, or lined around a patio.

If you prefer colored lights in your globes, you can use their Solar Post Cap Lights instead. Keep in mind, though, that once you glue the bowls together, you won't be able to open them to change the light color. This is also true for switching out the batteries in solar lights, which is a common concern. However, it's such an easy and affordable project that you can redo each year if needed. There are also certain tricks available to make Dollar Tree lights last longer. Most importantly, though, make sure to place the globes in spots that get plenty of sunshine.