Today I’m sharing how to make an upscale DIY wooden lantern. I love the versatility of this lantern since it works beautifully indoors or outside. It’s also the perfect candle centerpiece for a pretty outdoor tablescape. Pop in a tall glass candle holder and candle or use an LED candle, either one fit’s nice with the wide top opening.
Follow this easy tutorial to create the perfect outdoor setting by adding a wooden lantern or set of wooden decorative lanterns for your summer backyard entertaining this year!
This post was sponsored by HomeRight. I use affiliate links to help you find the supplies I used. You can read my full disclosure policy here. Thanks so much for supporting the brands that keep H2OBungalow going!
I designed this awesome DIY wooden lantern for our outdoor table. Now that I’ve got most of my front yard in order I need to give our back yard some much-needed attention. I also made a set of hanging lanterns just like this that are great for solar lights and I painted them.
Our backyard is a wide open space. I have to work extra hard to create ambiance and make it feel cozy. I think setting a pretty table to eat a meal outside goes a long way in adding that extra touch.
Funny enough, I have several other projects I’ve made with my HomeRight paint sprayers that are the perfect compliment for my new DIY wooden lantern.
I can’t wait to pull out my set of DIY outdoor string lights on poles, fire up the BBQ now that I’ve just finished my grill makeover, and start entertaining our friends and family outside by the water.
You can find the full tutorial to make a wooden lantern like mine on HomeRight’s website. It’s a pretty easy project to complete in just a few hours and it was super budget-friendly at under $15 to make!
I used 1″ wood basket reed and a few scrap pieces of plywood to make my lantern. With the same basket reed, I made these DIY Tobacco Baskets. I love them.
If you haven’t already, go check out my summer DIY Outdoor Lantern tutorial to see how easy it is to make. Did you also know I’m a DIY expert on HomeRight’s website and have shared DIY projects over there for at least 3-4 years? Wow, time flies and it’s like a trip down memory lane for me to see this page! You can see the rest of the projects I’ve shared on HomeRight’s DIY Expert section here including today’s DIY wooden lantern.
I’m loving it with my new blue plates! Don’t you?
Don’t forget to pin this for later and share it with your friends on Facebook!
Even though this post was sponsored, you guys know how much I love my HomeRight products. As always, I will only share products I believe in and use myself.
Do you love evenings spent with friends and family hanging out around a big outdoor dinner table as much as I do? Share below your favorite outdoor table decor or your special secret to a beautifully set outdoor table.
Britt says
Love this!! Reminds me of a West elm pendant light I was obsessed with when I bought my house in 2015, I’m thinking about making these as my centerpieces for my wedding! Were having a winter barn wedding! Great tutorial!
Wendi says
Hi Britt and thank you!
I think it would make a great pendant lamp too. I was thinking that as I made this one last year. What a great idea to use them as centerpieces too. I think they’d be gorgeous in a winter barn setting. Please send me a picture or share on on my Facebook page if you make one, OK? Congrats on your upcoming wedding!
Paula says
Your lantern is so pretty! I love its design and you will be able to enjoy using it both indoors and outdoors.
Wendi says
Hi Paula and thank you! Yes, I think my lantern turned out beautifully too. Don’t you love when a project turns out as good as the vision in your head? It’s like your awesome tennis racquet table. I’ll always remember how fabulous that project was. .. So, I hope this one has as much staying power! Thanks so much for your visit and sweet note!
Marie says
I love this, Wendi! It looks way more complicated than it is. I think, following your awesome tutorial, I could actually make one of these. Really adds some pizazz to an outdoor table! Pinned 🙂
Wendi says
Hi Marie! You are so sweet and thank you for stopping by! Yes, this lantern really was an easy project to do. It just looked complicated. Those are the best, the ones that look great but really are super easy. This would look beautiful on your back patio by your fabulous outdoor water feature. Thanks so much for sharing my project and your very sweet note my friend!
Arrow Fastener says
Great project, Wendi! Thanks for using our PowerShot Pro to do it. #MadeWithArrow
Wendi says
Hi Arrow Fastener! What a hoot, that my project was made with one of your older model staple guns. It’s a small world in the tool circle! Glad you like my outdoor lantern project, it was fun to make and easy…that’s the best kind of project, right? Thanks so much for your visit and note!
MaryJean says
The lantern certainly is different. I like it. Always like things that are a little different. What I have used in the past for flowering plants on the outside table is an enamel pot. I especially like one that has a red rim or is red and then I add one of those little American flags for July 4th parties!
Wendi says
Hi MaryJean! Isn’t the lantern different? I love how it turned out and love that it was easy and inexpensive to make. What a great idea to use an enameled pot for a flowering centerpiece! Especially love the July 4th theme! I think it adds so much personality to a table and decor style to use a creative container. Smart thinking! Thanks so much for your visit and sharing your tip. I love when people share ideas. I know it helps to inspire others and one of the things I love about my community of readers.
ivory says
I love it. gorgeous!
Wendi says
Thank you Ivory! It turned out better than I expected. I just kind of winged the project and hoped it would work! Now that I see it done and in the pics, I’m thrilled with how it turned out! Thanks so much for your note!
patty says
I love, love your wood lantern, it is the perfect touch for the outdoor table and I can see it being used inside my house. I love that it can be all rustic or can be with beautiful china, speaking of dishes I absolutely love your blue plates, the lantern is so pretty with blue accessories. I’m going to pin this, I have a niece that weave’s the most beautiful baskets and I think this is something we could do together.
Wendi says
Hi Patty! How fun, doing a project together with your niece! I’d bet her baskets are lovely…I adore handmade baskets. I’m sure she’d be able to take this idea and and her own twist to it for a beautiful project outcome! Aren’t those blue plates amazing? I just found them in HomeGoods and bought service for 8. I had to have them! Thanks so much for pinning and sharing my project and take care!