Transform Placemats From IKEA Into The The Sweetest Candle Lanterns

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Flickering candlelight is magical for mood-making. Calming and serene, romantic, and intimate — or even slightly spooky, when called for — a live-flame or LED candle does wonders for steeping a space in the right feels. When it comes from within a lantern, another layer of charm seeps through. If you're in the mood for a chic and simple IKEA decor hack, all you need is a couple of IKEA's natural fiber GALLSOPP placemats, a tall glass jar, a spool of jute, and a candle. A wool needle or darning needle will also come in handy, but it isn't a must.

Let a pair of these placemats encircle a large, clear glass. Their braided, loopy pattern sculpts the candlelight for a warm, homey glow. A 2-gallon jar like this Anchor Hocking Heritage Hill Glass Jar would work well for this project. However, before shelling out the $30 for this pretty container, check your nearest thrift store. The glass aisle just might deliver you an oversized jar for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

One caveat: the GALLSOPP won't be available for much longer (being a part of IKEA's "Last Chance" deal). Luckily, other outlets sell similar mats. Amazon carries ones, like these DELAQIKO Boho Woven Rattan Tablemats, which are a little less than 1 inch smaller than the 14 ½-inch IKEA mats.

To make this creative IKEA hack, stand the two mats up on either side of your jar. Curve the mats around the jar, and tie them together with some jute string where they touch; this will make attaching them to each other much easier. You can overlap where the mats meet if your jar is on the smaller side. Slide the mats off the jar to make the process easier, and loop the jute through the edges with your fingers or with a wool needle.

The GALLSOPP mats are flexible enough to fold under the base of the container if it's shorter than the sides of the mats. Simply fold excess beneath the base before setting the jar on a flat surface. You can tie the edges of the mat together at the base if you want, but it's not necessary. Just be sure not to overlap the edges of the two mats on the base, since that could prevent the jar from sitting flat.

If you're using rattan mats that aren't as flexible as IKEA's GALLSOPP, soak them in hot water for up to 30 minutes before manipulating them. Let the material rest for five minutes before forming around the jar. Place a candle inside, light it, and let your lantern give any room, your patio, or your porch a glow up.