Hanging Moss Basket Solar Light Made with Items from the Dollar Store
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Are you looking for a simple, budget-friendly way to add charm to your outdoor space? This Dollar Store Basket Solar Light project is the perfect DIY solution! You can transform an ordinary wire basket into a stylish hanging solar lantern with just a few inexpensive supplies. Whether illuminating a garden path, brightening a patio, or creating a cozy backyard ambiance, this easy upcycle is functional and beautiful. Let’s dive into the steps to make your own!
I’m Gail Wilson, and I’m so glad you’re here!
Outdoor Light Feature Using Items from the Dollar Store
You will love my dollar store solar light hack! Yep, I made a moss basket solar light out of a $1 moss basket and some clearance prisms from the craft store! It would be best to make this for your deck or outdoor area.
Here are the items I used to start my hanging outdoor lighting fixture. The prisms are marked $5, but I got a much better deal than that on sale or clearance last year.
Materials Needed to Make a Wire Basket Solar Light
- Wire Moss Basket
- Glass Prisms (similar ones available on Amazon)
- Solar Light
- Spray Paint
- Glue Gun
Remove the Chain From the Basket
I removed the hook and chain from the basket—this was so easy because the tiny clips held the chain on.
Reattach the chain clips onto the sides of the wire basket.
Hang Glass Prisms Onto a Wire Basket Light
I began by tying three glass prisms evenly spaced around the wire basket. You can find lots of hanging glass prisms on Amazon.
More Solar Light Projects here.
I continue adding more prisms one at a time until I feel like there is a good balance of shimmer! My dollar store solar light hack is moving right along!
Visit the My Repurposed Life Amazon Store to shop my favorite items.
Trim Extra Lines From Prisms
The prisms hang from something similar to fishing line material. After tying several knots, I snipped off the excess line with scissors.
Hot Glue Assures Knots Stay in Place
I got this excellent cordless glue gun at a conference from Arrow. It was perfect for this basket solar light project since I was working on it outside as it hung from a tree. I secured a bead of hot glue on all the knots.
This little dab of hot glue will keep the prisms from sliding around on the wire basket solar light. The prisms are pretty at night and glisten in the daytime too!
Paint Solar Light
Using blue painter’s tape to protect the photocell, I spray-painted a solar light I already had. I wanted a black finish to match the hanging wire basket.
I prefer to spray a couple of light coats for the best coverage.
Hot Glue Prism to Solar Light
I used one more glass prism for the bottom of the solar light. There was a hole in the base of the light. I threaded the line through it and added a dab of hot glue on the inside and the outside for good measure.
In the old days, solar stuff needed plenty of light to get a good charge. Have you noticed that the small solar panel grabs a charge even in partial shade?
Dollar Store Solar Light Hack for Patio
Don’t you love the way the glass prisms of the moss basket solar light catch the colors from the yard? I can’t wait to hang this in my backyard camper retreat. Will you be making one for your outdoor space?
Be sure to check the fantastic project below from my friend Debbie!
Dollar Tree Rae Dunn Inspired Scroll DIY
What is your must-have purchase at the Dollar Store?
See more Solar Light Ideas Here.
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Gail Wilson | My Repurposed Life
Cute , but…
There are so many advertisements in the way I gave up. I guess I’ll figure it out.
I don’t understand how the solar light goes on when no sunlight can get to it by the shade of the tree?
Linda,
Newer solar lights have come a long way. They charge in partial shade. Amazing, I know!
gail
So cute.
When I used hot glue on fixing line it melted it.
Guessing you used low melt?
Adorable.
I have yet to make it to dollar store/tree to get Supplies for anything!
Blessings
Barb
Barbara,
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time so say hello!!
I don’t think I even have a low melt gun. I guess the line on the prisms was stronger than fishing line?
This was a fun and easy project.
gail
Looks like a fantastic idea. I’ll have to wait for warmer weather to try it.
It was fun, and I still love how it looks in the backyard.
gail
I will be making this! Have the prisms aka Chistmas ornaments already bought.and have Solar lights I take apart !
Linda, That’s awesome!
have fun!
gail
I did mine but I got all my bling off of amazon because the dollar tree did not have a good choice. I have it hanging outside my kitchen window and love looking out there and seeing it lite up at night and think it is so pretty….I wish I could post a picture of it but do not see that option for it.
Liz,
Sounds like you took charge and made it happen!! I bet yours basket solar light is very pretty.
gail
Hanging from a tree? Does the solar get enough sun to work?
Yes!
The newer solar lights don’t need near as much sunshine as they used to.
gail
Gail, that is so clever and elegant! I was imagining spray-ainting the basket white as well as the solar light, hanging the crystals and using it in the large, east-acing bay window as a night light. Where did you get the hanging basket? You said at the dollar store, but was it DollarTree?
Naomi,
Thanks for your sweet comment! Yes, the Dollar Tree is where I got the moss hanging basket. I would love to see your project when it’s done!
gail
Where did you find the prisms at
Love it Gail! I really need to make some for my outdoor area. Pinning for later!
Hi Gail, this is so cute. I have to get a cordless glue gun. The fishing line, here in the heat, will become brittle in about 2 weeks. I would use thin wire. Nothing fancy either because it will need regular repairs. Have you tried covering the solar square with clear nail polish? I don’t remember where I read that. Probably from you. It has made my lights last from a season to a year. Otherwise they get really cloudy and don’t charge..