
How to Build DIY Scrap Wood Lanterns in 1 Day
DIY FRONT PORCH DECOR ON A BUDGET
These lanterns were FREE! I used scrap wood that I already had and leftover stain from previous projects. These DIY scrap wood lanterns are definitely a great fall decor idea. Rustic outdoor wood lanterns are super easy and will look great for your indoor or outdoor space!

If you would be interested in a DIY Build-Kit for these DIY Scrap Wood Lanterns, I can send you pre-cut pieces of wood. OR if you don’t want to DIY and you’d prefer a finished product, just let me know. I am happy to work something out for you and your space! morgan@palmettohighway.com
If you want to learn more about making incredible outdoor spaces for hanging out and entertaining, check out my post: The Ultimate Guide for Your Small Outdoor Space.
Note: Affiliate shopping links are provided for your convenience. By shopping through the links on my site, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks!
SUPPLIES
- Miter Saw
- Table Saw
- Orbital Sander
- Wood Glue
- Clamps
- Nail gun
- Scrap wood
- Stain
- Pillar Candles (I bought these from Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3bjLflW )
- Hurricane Vases (I bought these from Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/2Gf13ea )
SCRAP WOOD
You can edit your plans to fit what you have but I had miscellaneous 1x4s and 1×6’s. The 1×6 was cut for the 3 bases at 5″x 5″. I have 3 lanterns at 3 different heights, but the same base size. The connector pieces were all 3 1/2″.
If you want to make the lanterns proportional to each other, rather than all tall and skinny, the bases and the small pieces will need to scale up with the height. Adding an inch to the base and the short pieces for every 6″ added in height will help!
When a piece of wood is sold at “1×6″ that is just a nominal size, the actual size is less, more like 3/4″ x 5 1/2″. All the long pieces were cut to be exactly 3/4″ x 3/4″ X height. I went with 24″, 18″ and 12”. If you are buying wood, you can purser 3/4″ x 3/4″ pieces in the trim section. That way, you don’t need to have a table saw!
CUT
Once you’ve gathered all your scrap wood, cut it to size. Like I said above, you can really make it what you need!
If you truly want to do this all in one day, get your pieces sanded and cut as early as you can. There is lots of stain and glue drying times ahead.

I stuck with a 5″ x 5″ base to fit the hurricane vase but I made a huge mistake in calculating inaccuracies. I wanted the glass to fit inside the frame I was building. The vase was 3.3″ and the width of the frame on either side would be 0.75″.
Turns out the 3.3″ was the inside diameter of the vase, not the outside.
A 6″ square base would have given me more room on all sides in case things didn’t line up perfectly, which they never do!
If I were to go back, I would make the proportionally scaled lanterns, even if that meant I needed to buy a little bit more wood. This means the smallest base would have been 6″x6″, the medium would have been 7″x7″ and the tallest lantern would have been 8″x8″. The corresponding short pieces would have been 4.5″, 5.5″ and 6.6″ respectively.
SAND
I always try to get a quick sanding in before assembly (if even before cutting). Sometimes it’s hard to get into all the corners when everything is put together. This sanding step, in my opinion, just makes everything easier.
With that being said, maybe don’t use the orbital sander on the small 3 1/2″ pieces… they tend to go flying!
ASSEMBLE
To get things started, I used wood glue and clamps. I don’t have very many clamps so it was a little slow going, but I’ve got some tricks for you. You could use the nail gun during this process or use painters tape to help keep everything together. This will cut down on your wait time.

If you want to move quickly and get this project done in 1 day, definitely glue and use the nail gun as you go. I glued, waited to dry, then nailed and it took longer than I hoped.
Start with gluing the ends of the small pieces to the inside edges of the long pieces to create a rectangle. Once I have all my rectangles, Ill use the remaining small pieces to connect them till you’ve got a three-dimensional rectangular frame!
I used the nail gun to make sure everything is secure. The wood glue won’t last long term outdoors so I needed a more lasting way to keep it all together.
I plan to use these DIY scrap wood lanterns indoors most of the time but to place them outdoors when we have company or holiday decor. I’ll specifically place them under a covered area if I plan to leave them outdoor long term. This is mostly so that the vase and the candle don’t get rained on!
Once the frame is together, glue and nail the 5″ x 5″ base to one end and let them all dry.
SAND
Now that everything is dry and assembled, use this sanding step to smooth out any rough patches. If some pieces didn’t glue or nail quite into place, use the sander to smooth over the ridge.

If you have a little gap at the joints, mix some sanding sawdust with some wood glue to create a paste. Push the paste into the gap and let dry. Once it is dried, sand till smooth.
STAIN
Using a wood conditioner will help give you an even stain application, or so I’ve heard. I still haven’t had the opportunity to try it out for you because the wood conditioner is still out of stock at my hardware store.
The stain I already had on hand was, Varathane Weathered Oak mixed with Light Walnut. I can’t say I remember which projects they were used on but I used another scrap piece of wood to test it out and I liked this specific color combo for my needs.

SEAL
Once the stain has dried you can choose to apply polyurethane to seal it if you plan to have it outdoors. This will help protect it from moisture and ensure you have the lanterns for a long time.
DISPLAY SCAP WOOD LANTERNS
Now that its assembled, stained, and sealed, all you need now is to slide your vase and candle in place! You could even use an LED pillar candle to help ensure that you can use this time and time again.




16 Comments
Janet
These are amazing! Thank you for the tutorial!
Morgan Nelson
Thank you so much!
CINDY LONG
Your lanterns look awesome Morgan! I love that you built them yourself, that totally inspires me!
Morgan Nelson
Thank you so much!
Carol Karl
Yes, yes, yes! I love these. I’m going to make some. Thanks so much.
Emma
Love this! What a fun, easy DIY that looks way more expensive. I’ll definitely be giving it a go
Morgan Nelson
Yes! tag me in your photos! I want to see how they come out!
Naush Samama
These are fabulous Morgan. Love how they turned out. I’d love for you to share your post at our weekly link party.
Join us every week at Meraki Link Party from Monday thru till Thursday at https://doodlebuddies.net/2020/09/07/meraki-link-party-4/
See ya.
Naush
http://www.doodlebuddies.net
Morgan Nelson
Naush, I’m so glad you like it! Id love that! I’ll follow the link and check it out.
Jennifer
These are amazing. I love how you can get different heights. Definitely saving to attempt myself .
stacy
What a great idea! These are so cool!
Michelle | Thistle Key Lane
Morgan your lanterns look so cute on your outside table. I really love how they turned out and want to feature your post on the Tuesday Turn About Link Party. I hope you will come back and share more!
Morgan Nelson
I am so glad you like them! I would love that
Sonya Burgess
Love these and what a great way to use up your scrap wood pieces. Pinning for later.
Morgan Nelson
Thank you! I have so much scrap wood, felt like a waste not to use it!
Danielle
These are fantastic! I love the clean lines! I think even I might be able to make them!