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28 Bright Ideas For Outdoor Lighting

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outdoorlighting

Do you love spending time outside during these warm Summer evenings?  Don’t let the lack of proper lighting keep you from staying out after the sun sets.  These 28 ideas are not only brilliant, but can be made with things you most likely already have laying around your house.  Use your extra time this upcoming weekend to make one of these lighting projects, and I can promise it will be time well spent.  You’ll use it for the rest of the Summer, plus many more Summer evenings to come.

Read the post here: 28 Outdoor Lighting Ideas to Brighten Up Your Summer

This guide is not just packed with eye-catching ideas but also offers clear, actionable steps that make each project feel doable and fun.

The article starts with some brilliant, budget-friendly lighting ideas that instantly caught my eye. For instance, the tutorial on creating DIY fairy light jars is both charming and straightforward. They provide a step-by-step guide on how to transform ordinary mason jars into magical light sources, which I thought was a fantastic way to add a touch of whimsy to any garden or patio. And the best part? The materials are simple and inexpensive, making it a perfect weekend project.

Another highlight from the guide is the section on solar-powered lighting. The article shows how to repurpose old lanterns and garden ornaments into solar-powered light fixtures, which is both eco-friendly and cost-effective. The instructions on how to install solar lights into these repurposed items are clear and practical, ensuring that even if you’re new to DIY projects, you can follow along without a hitch.

I also loved the tips on how to use string lights creatively. The article suggests several ways to drape and arrange string lights to create different atmospheres, whether you’re going for a cozy, intimate setting or a lively, festive vibe. The visual examples they provide are really inspiring and give you a great idea of how to bring your own outdoor spaces to life.

Overall, this BuzzFeed article is a treasure trove of inspiration for anyone looking to enhance their outdoor areas with some beautiful, handcrafted lighting solutions. Whether you want to create a romantic evening setting or just make your backyard more inviting, the DIY projects featured are easy to follow and packed with creative ideas. So, if you’re ready to add some glow to your summer nights, check out BuzzFeed’s outdoor lighting DIYs and let your creativity shine!

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DIY Giant Eyeball Lanterns – Creepy Halloween Decoration

When it comes to Halloween, bigger is always better—and these giant eyeball lanterns prove it! With nothing more than plain white paper lanterns, a little paint, and some imagination, you can create huge, spooky eyes that look like they’ve popped right out of a monster movie.

They’re perfect for hanging from ceilings, displaying on porches, or grouping together in a corner for an eerie effect. Best of all, paper lanterns are super inexpensive (you can grab them on eBay, Amazon, or even your local dollar store), which makes this a great budget-friendly craft for big impact Halloween décor.

Supplies You’ll Need

  • Large round white paper lanterns (various sizes look best) 
  • Acrylic paints or craft paints in black, brown, green, red, orange, or blue (for irises) 
  • Wide paintbrush for background color 
  • Small paintbrush for details 
  • Black construction paper or cardstock (optional for spiky “lashes” or accents) 
  • Hot glue gun or strong craft glue 
  • String or fishing line (if you want to hang them) 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Lanterns

  1. Assemble your white paper lanterns according to the package directions. 
  2. Make sure they’re fully open and the wire insert is in place so the surface is taut for painting. 

Step 2: Paint the Iris

  1. Using a wide brush, paint a large circle in the center of the lantern to create the iris. 
  2. Choose spooky colors—green, red, orange, or blue work wonderfully. 
  3. Don’t worry about making it perfectly smooth; streaks and uneven textures add to the eerie, organic look. 

Step 3: Add the Pupil

  1. Once the iris paint is dry, use black paint to fill in the pupil at the very center. 
  2. Make it large enough to stand out against the iris. 

Step 4: Detail the Eye

  • Use a smaller brush to add darker or lighter streaks in the iris for a more realistic effect. 
  • You can even add thin vein lines in red around the iris to give it that bloodshot look. 

Step 5: Optional Spiky Lashes

  1. Cut long triangles from black construction paper or cardstock. 
  2. Glue them around one side of the lantern so they stick out like sharp monster eyelashes. 
  3. This makes the eyeballs look even more monstrous and stylized. 

Step 6: Display Your Giant Eyeballs

  • Hanging: Use string or fishing line to suspend them from ceilings, trees, or porch rafters so they look like floating eyeballs. 
  • Stacked: Place them in corners, along stairs, or even grouped on your lawn for a spooky display. 
  • Tabletop: Use them as oversized Halloween party props. 

Tips & Variations

  • Glowing Eyes: Insert battery-powered LED lights into the lanterns so they glow from the inside. 
  • Rainbow Eyes: Mix up the colors and make a whole rainbow of creepy eyes. 
  • Monster Cluster: Group multiple eyeballs together in different sizes for a scarier effect. 

This DIY Giant Eyeball Lantern craft is quick, cheap, and gives you maximum Halloween spook factor with minimal effort. Whether you make one or a whole creepy collection, your haunted house setup will definitely be eye-catching!