3 DIY LED Light Projects For Summer

LED lights make a great addition to your patio or yard this summer. The LED light projects shown here will transform your space into an outdoor oasis. Everything featured is a quick project that will add safety and a touch of whimsy to your summer nights.

LED lights are 80% more efficient than incandescent light bulbs. Light-emitting diode or LEDs, don’t lack in style either. They come in almost every form from holiday lights, rope lights, light bulbs to outdoor lights.

LED lights are great for a variety of projects including outdoor illumination. Here are a few cool things to do with different types of LEDs to transform your outdoor space.

1. DIY Can Lanterns

Tin cans have a surprising amount of uses. One, in particular, will make a beautiful addition to any outdoor space. Using LED flameless tea lights you can quickly transform an old can of soup into a gorgeous lantern.

What You Will Need:

• Empty tin cans
• Nail
• Hammer
• Wire or string (if you’ll be hanging them or for a handle)
• Flameless LED candle
• Outdoor paint that won’t rust

To begin, start saving any of your old cans. Give them a good wash and remove any labels or stickers. Once they are fully cleaned and dried, paint the cans the color or colors of your choosing.

After the paint has dried, fill the cans with water and place them in the freezer. Freezing the cans ensures that when you poke holes in it later, the can won’t dent in. After your can is fully frozen, take a nail and make a decorative pattern of your choice by poking holes with the hammer.

Some pattern ideas include stars, circles, initials, names, or just at random. Initials and names could be a sweet touch for a wedding ceremony or reception. They would also make a nice homemade housewarming gift.

After the can is frozen, take a nail and make a decorative pattern of your choice by poking holes with the hammer. For the handle, you can use any unique rope or wire you can find to achieve your desired look.

Finally, let the can defrost and dry by removing all of the water. Once your new lantern is fully dried, pop in the flameless LED candle. Your new lanterns will look great on a front porch, in a yard hanging from a tree, on a table, or as decoration for your event.

2. LED Light Projects Using Landscape Rope Lights 

To add a touch of drama to your outdoor space, rope lights make a great addition. Not only is it a beautiful way to illuminate your pathways or landscaping, but it’s also a nice safety feature.

By adding some rope lighting to your pathways, you’ll gain some major curb appeal. Adding them to your garden beds will beautifully accent your landscaping. You can also set them up on a timer so they will turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn.

What You Will Need:

• Outdoor LED rope lights
• Clips
• End caps
• Garden stakes or staples
• Scissors or knife
• Extension cord approved for outdoor use

The first step of this project is to measure the pathway you’d like to illuminate. Once you have your measurements, make sure to purchase rope lights made for outdoor use that can connect to others, and cut.

Next, cut the rope or add more whenever needed. Place the included end caps at the ends of your rope. Next, run your rope along your pathway or landscaping. To secure them to the ground, use the ground stakes or staples. Make sure they are elevated so you can see them when lawn mowing and hedging.

If you’re securing your rope lights to wood, you can use the included rope clips and secure the lights right to the deck or pathway.

Once your pathway is secure, connect them to your power source, using an outdoor extension cord when needed. Here’s where you can add a timer if you’d like to connect them all to a base with a setting of a specific time or dawn and dusk.

3. Whimsical Light Curtain

Illuminate your patio, deck or pergola with a lighted curtain. Not only will it allow for some privacy, but it will also add a romantic touch of whimsy to your space. You can use the LED curtains to hang from an upper deck, a pergola, gazebo, tent, or a canopy.

LED curtain walls are easy to hang and install. You can keep them up all season long for a nightly glow or install them for a special occasion. Curtain walls can also drape over shrubs, walls or hedges.

What You Will Need:

• LED curtain wall
• Extension cord approved for outdoor use
• Scissors
• Fasteners

To get started, measure the space where the curtains will hang. Once you have your measurements, you’ll need to address what type of fastener you’ll need. 

You can use staples or clips depending on what you’re hanging the curtain from.  Twist ties can also be used if you’re hanging the lights from a tent or canopy with poles.

Next, begin hanging the curtain and attach it to your wall. Run the extension cord down one of the sides to keep it out of the way. You can twist tie, or fasten this down as well to avoid a tripping hazard. 

If you don’t keep your curtain up all season long, it will also make a great addition to a party or event. Picture your event space filled with white tents and lights dripping from the tent walls. You can also blanket them over hedges for a special touch.

Sit Back And Enjoy

Once your hard work is completed, you can sit back and enjoy the warm glow of your new additions. With any of these LED light projects, you’ll have added a nice touch of ambiance to enjoy all season.

Check out more of the LED lighting available for inspiration on your next project.