DIY Dollar Tree Solar Chandelier (Under $5!)
In my 30+ years of DIYing, I’ve learned that the best projects save you a ton of money while making your outdoor space look completely magical. After a harsh summer storm, my original expensive garden light completely shattered. Oops! Instead of throwing money away at the big box store, it gave me the perfect excuse to raid my local dollar store. I figured out how to turn a basic wire flower basket into a stunning DIY solar chandelier for under $5. You don’t need to hire an electrician or deal with messy wires.For more ways to survive the summer heat in your yard, check out my Creative Solar Light Ideas for Summer Nights tutorial! You might enjoy my post DIY Solar Windchime from Vintage Utensils
Quick Answer: How do you make a DIY solar chandelier?
Turning a dollar store flower basket into a glowing solar chandelier is a 15-minute, budget-friendly project requiring zero electrical skills. By flipping the wire basket upside down and upcycling a thrifted glass holder, you create a beautiful outdoor light fixture.
- Remove the chains and reattach them so the basket hangs upside down like a dome.
- Place a standard solar light inside a flared glass hanging candle holder.
- Feed the glass holder through the center hole of the basket.
- Hang in a sunny spot and attach decorative crystals for daytime sparkle.
Materials You Will Need
I am all about budget crafting. By grabbing a few things at the dollar store and upcycling a thrifted find, this entire project costs less than a fancy cup of coffee!
- Wire Flower Basket: I found mine at Dollar Tree for $1.25. Look specifically for the ones with a removable three-point chain.
- Hanging Candle Holder: Check your local thrift store; I scored a flared glass one for just a dollar. This is the secret to keeping your light secure!
- Standard Solar Light: You can easily grab these garden stake lights at Dollar Tree or Walmart.
- Decorative Crystals: I used Hobby Lobby clearance crystals to add a touch of high-end elegance.
- Needle-Nose Pliers or Wire Cutters: To help pry off stubborn basket clips without ruining your manicure.
DIY Dollar Tree Solar Chandelier
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Prepping the Basket
Step 1: Remove the Basket Chains
To start, we need to remove the chains from your wire flower basket. These Dollar Tree baskets usually use a standard “S” hook or pinch clip. Grab your needle-nose pliers and gently squeeze the base of the clip to pop it off the top rim. Make sure you save the chains and the hooks because we are going to reuse them!
Step 2: Reposition for the Chandelier Dome
We’re flipping the basket to get that classic chandelier dome shape. Take those chains you just removed and attach the hooks to the bottom circular rings of the basket. Make sure they are evenly spaced on the three sides so your chandelier hangs perfectly level.
Adding the Bling and the Light
Step 3: Attach the Decorative Crystals
This is where the magic happens. Take your glass crystals and hook them onto the chains or the rim of the wire basket. Why add crystals? Even when the solar light isn’t glowing, the glass catches the sunlight during the day, making it look like a gorgeous, expensive piece of garden art.
Step 4: The Solar Light Hack
Here is the “Oops” moment I promised! Standard Dollar Tree solar lights are too narrow and will slip right through the center hole of the wire basket. To fix this, pop the solar top off its plastic garden stake. Take that thrifted flared glass candle holder and drop the solar light housing directly inside. The flared glass acts as the perfect wedge!
Step 5: Final Assembly
Thread the chain of your thrifted glass holder up through the center hole of the upside-down basket. Gather it with the three chains from the basket, and hook them all to your main hanging point. Boom—a sturdy, glowing fixture!
Enjoying Your New Outdoor Decor
Your solar chandelier is ready to hang! I currently have two of these, and I keep mine in my garden area. You can hang them from garden stakes or a shepherd’s hook. The soft light actually helps keep some night critters away, and I just love the elegant glow it casts across the yard.These would also be perfect hanging from the ceiling or overhang of a deck, adding a touch of romance to a porch or gazebo.
Frequently Asked Questions
It strictly depends on how much sun it receives during the day. If it gets 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight exposure, it can last several hours into the night. If it’s placed under a covered porch, it might only run for an hour or two.
You can, but remember that solar lights are designed to harness energy from sunlight. Hanging them in the dense shade of a leafy tree will significantly reduce their ability to charge efficiently. Aim for a branch that gets decent afternoon sun.
Yes, untreated wire will eventually rust if left in the rain. If you want to prevent this, or if you just want a different color, give the wire basket a quick coat of Rust-Oleum outdoor spray paint before assembling!
Easy Flower Basket to Solar Chandelier Video
Expert Tips for Customizing Your Chandelier
You don’t have to stick strictly to wire flower baskets for this project! I’ve found incredible woven and wire baskets at Target, IKEA, and HomeGoods that work beautifully with this same method.
Want to bring this look indoors?
You can easily adapt this project for your living room or bedroom. Simply snip a hole in the bottom of a basket and thread a standard pendant light kit through it. If you don’t want to mess with electrical cords, just drop a battery-operated puck light inside. (If you love indoor lighting hacks, check out how I made a Flower Pot Hanging Star Lamp
Flipping Old Chandeliers
If you want something a bit more formal than a dollar store basket, check Facebook Marketplace. I constantly find outdated dining room fixtures for just a few dollars. You can rip out the wiring, spray paint the brass, and drop solar lights where the bulbs used to be to create a stunning upcycled outdoor solar chandelier. If you liked this light you might enjoy all of the other solar chandeliers I created:
- How To Make An Awesome and Easy Outdoor Solar Chandelier
- Upcycle an Outdated Chandelier to a Solar Chandelier
More Budget Lighting Ideas
I am a huge fan of creating outdoor ambiance without spending a fortune. If you have leftover solar lights from this project, you can easily turn them into budget-friendly dollar store candle holders for your patio table, or toss some solar string lights inside a jar to make a quick mason jar lantern. See this easy DIY solar lantern: Super Easy Dollar Tree Candle Holders
Dollar Tree Solar Chandelier
Materials
- 1 Wire Flower Basket with chains
- 1 Flared Hanging Glass Candle Holder
- 1 Solar Garden Stake Light
- Decorative Glass Crystals Optional
Instructions
- Use pliers to remove the chains from the top rim of the wire flower basket.
- Flip the basket upside down to create a dome shape.
- Reattach the chains to the rings on the bottom of the basket, spacing them evenly so it hangs level.
- Hook decorative glass crystals onto the chains for daytime sparkle.
- Remove the solar light top from its plastic garden stake.
- Drop the solar light into the flared glass hanging candle holder (this prevents the light from falling through the wire basket).
- Feed the chain of the glass candle holder through the center hole of the upside-down basket.
- Hang your new chandelier in a spot that gets 6-8 hours of direct sunlight!
Notes
Thanks Chas, I love this idea. I have been looking for a fun an unique way to put more solar lights in my yard.
Thank you so much Cindy, I’m thrilled you like it.
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. We appreciate your shares. They have been Tweeted Pinned. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
Thank you so much Marilyn 🙂
Great idea for a garden light. I am definitely making some for our garden too.
Happy spring,
Kippi
Thank you so much Kippi and I’m thrilled you want to make some too.
Its so great hopping with you Chas! Those dollar store baskets are so versatile, I love how yours turned out!
Thank you so much Tarah