Skip Basic String Lights: Brighten Walkways And Garden Paths With DIY Plastic Pipe Lanterns

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Simple string lights look pretty when hung up along a walkway, but they're far from unique outdoor decor. We've relied on the boring ol' step by step guide for hanging outdoor string lights in our gardens for years; it's high time we all got a little more creative with our backyard lighting. Luckily, you don't have to break the bank on expensive weatherproof light fixtures or call in a designer to create a bespoke outdoor lightscape. Believe it or not, you can DIY some eye-catching lanterns with PVC pipes, spray paint, and cheap solar lights. The process is surprisingly simple. Drill a few holes into the PVC pipes to let the light shine through and spray paint them a metallic hue. Insert solar lights into the pipes and mount your new lanterns to the branches of a tree.

These DIY fixtures are perfect for illuminating walkways and garden paths on a budget. You can snag a six-pack of 12-inch-long Rtgwe PVC Pipes for around $10 to use for this project. Then buy a can of Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Metallic Spray Paint in your preferred hue to decorate the PVC pipes. They range from a bit over $6 to almost $11, depending on the shade you choose. To hang your homemade garden path lanterns, get a roll of Rophomor Natural Jute Rope for about $10. If you take care to achieve a polished finish, the resulting light fixtures could even resemble the Copper Tree Outdoor Pendant Lights from Temple & Webster, which cost $159 each. This outdoor walkway lighting idea adds ambiance, makes your yard safe, and barely puts a dent in your gardening budget.

Ready to get started on this innovative garden path upgrade that will make your yard more inviting? Lay the first PVC pipe on a flat surface — you need to be able to keep it stable while drilling. Use a hammer and nail to mark the spots you want to drill holes. This will ensure the holes are evenly spaced and prevent your drill bit from slipping on the pipe's curved surface. Drill these holes, then add two extra holes opposite one another at the top of the PVC pipe for a length of jute rope. Repeat this process on all the lengths of PVC pipe you bought. Spray paint the drilled pipes in whatever metallic hue you choose, either while hanging or laying flat on a large piece of cardboard. Rotate the pipes as needed for an even coat of paint.

After the pipes have dried, you can proceed with inserting your lights. Insert a Gigalumi Stainless Steel Waterproof Solar Light inside each PVC pipe, fixing it in place with Adiseal Hi-Grab or a similar exterior construction adhesive. This way, you can skip the hassle of hardwiring your pathway lighting. Of course, when shopping for pipes and lights, make sure the lights fit snugly inside the pipes. As a final step, tie a loop of jute rope to the holes at the top of each PVC pipe and hang your new lanterns along the garden path you want to illuminate. These lanterns look particularly whimsical hanging from tree branches. However, you could also hang them from hooks in a pergola or arbor spanning a walkway. You could even upgrade your outdoor parties with this creative lighting idea.