String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack!
Create your own relaxing backyard fireside retreat by learning how to string outdoor solar lights with this cheap hack!
If you are new to these parts, then first of all welcome I am so glad you’re here. Secondly, I need to fill you in on two things that I really love…
Fire And solar energy.
Random? Just keep reading.
I am always looking for an excuse to burn something whether it be one of the 3,597 candles in our tiny little 1400 sq ft French Country cottage fixer-upper or a campfire to roast sausages, saute veggies and sing Kum-Ba-Yah together.
I also love solar energy.
Solar energy just makes sense to me. So much so that we have installed a solar system on 2 of our 3 fixer uppers now.
In fact, you should read all about how you could potentially qualify for a FREE solar system like we did and actually make money doing it (lots of incentive bonuses being offered right now)!
When we bought this French Country Cottage fixer upper the backyard looked something like this.
I had visions of raised garden beds and a fire pit with solar lights like you see in so many of these gorgeously stunning Pinterest photos.
I mean look how pretty. This is the fireside retreat at Rachel’s home from Crate and Cottage! I love when old barrels are used as planters, but do you know how expensive they are?!
Or finding ANY planter for that matter tall enough to function as a base for a 4x4x8 ft post for less than $100 each?
So I improvised. I found a budget solution for creating your own backyard fireside retreat with solar lights.
Tah-dah! Trash cans! $20 each.
Without further ado let’s chat about how to string outdoor solar lights with this garbage can hack.
I promise it is EASY.
Looking for more outdoor DIYS? Check out:
- How to Build a Backyard Swing Set for Cheap
- String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack!
- 6 DIY Backyard Ideas [Easy Projects!]
- 5 Backyard Fire Pit Ideas To Make Entertaining Easy
- Save Money And Install Solar Panels for FREE!
- Backyard Garden Shed Makeover
You will Need:
- 4 30 gallon steel trash cans
- 4 pressure treated 4x4x8 posts
- 4 5 gallon plastic buckets
- 4 50 lb bags fast-setting Quikrete
- 3 50 qt bags potting soil
- solar lights
- spray paint (optional)
- level
- drill
String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack
#1. Spray the Trash cans (OPtional: If you want a different color)
String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack
#2. Place 5 gallon bucket in trash can and level.
**Be sure to drill holes in the bottom or the sides of the trashcan first to allow for water run off as this will become a planter! (we forgot to do this!)** 
String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack
#3. Place the post in the 5 gallon bucket and level.
String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack
#4. Fill the 5 gallon bucket with Quikrete and water.
Someone has to hold the post and level while the other pours the Quikrete.
Fill with water according to Quikrete instructions on bag.
It starts to set very quickly and you can let go in approx 10 minutes.
String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack
#5. Fill the trash can with potting soil.
String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack!
#6. Attach the solar lights to the top of the posts!
Ready to see what it looks like?!
Grab some hot chocolate and come join me by the fire.
After
Have leftover brick or pavers laying around? Check out my post on how to make a fire pit with leftover brick!
Looking for more outdoor DIYS? Check out:
- How to Build a Backyard Swing Set for Cheap
- String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack!
- 6 DIY Backyard Ideas [Easy Projects!]
- 5 Backyard Fire Pit Ideas To Make Entertaining Easy
- Save Money And Install Solar Panels for FREE!
- Backyard Garden Shed Makeover
Pin any of the images below for later!
String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack
Equipment
- cordless drill
- level
Materials
- 4 30 gallon steel trash cans
- 4 pressure treated 4x4x8 posts
- 4 5 gallon plastic buckets
- 4 50 lb bags fast-setting Quikrete
- 3 50 qt bags potting soil
- 1 set solar lights
- 3 cans spray paint optional
Instructions
- SPRAY THE TRASH CANS (OPTIONAL: IF YOU WANT A DIFFERENT COLOR)
- PLACE 5 GALLON BUCKET IN TRASH CAN AND LEVEL. **Be sure to drain holes in the sides or bottom of trash can to allow for water drainage.**
- PLACE THE POST IN THE 5 GALLON BUCKET AND LEVEL.
- FILL THE 5 GALLON BUCKET WITH QUIKRETE AND WATER.
- FILL THE TRASH CAN WITH POTTING SOIL.
- ATTACH THE SOLAR LIGHTS TO THE TOP OF THE POSTS!
It works great and I am so happy with it but it’s hardly cheap. Those $20 trash cans are $30 now and everything else was more too. We made 1 and it cost $90. It’s a long term project so the investment is worth it. We used hooks and carabiners as recommended by someone else since we often have high winds.
Aww I hear that! It’s sad how everything seems so inflated now. I’m so glad it works well for you at least
Sorry, it’s very nice, but I’m on a fixed income and can’t afford those $20.00 trash cans
This turned out excellent! How fun for fall bonfires.
Aww thank you so much. Oh my goodness yes!! I LOVE fall fires!
What a great idea! It looks like a nice place to sit and enjoy relaxing wiht family or a book.
Aww thank-you! We LOVE it out thwre!!