For the Deck Dwellers: Outdoor decorating on a Budget

Happy June, friends!
The summer months are officially upon us and for my family, and maybe many of your own, that means some good ol’ outdoor living. Front porch sitting. Camping. Backyard cookouts. Deck dwelling. Whatever you want to call it, or however you choose to do it, outdoor living time is now. Summer goes by so quickly and we are planning on using up every single minute we can outdoors!

Today I’m sharing a quick, inexpensive and cute idea to spruce up whatever outdoor space you love to use. Tin can lanterns. I thought I was creating something new until I looked online and noticed how many people were making them. {Sigh} Great minds think alike, I suppose!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Tin soup cans, any size
Spray paint
Nails in the hole size you choose
Hammer
Metal Wire/String/Jute cord, etc.
Candles/LED light/Solar light, etc.

First thing, start a recycling pile for your cans. Re-purposing, yay! I give mine a good soak in a sink full of dish soap to make sure all of the remaining food is washed out and the paper peels off. Let them air dry.

Once the cans are dry you can start tapping in your nail holes. If you are working with children you might want to do this step yourself. You can use from the smallest tack-size nail to one of the big honkin’ ones you see at Home Depot. I’m using what I found around the house – on the smaller size, but it’s free! Tap the nail with the hammer until the nail pierces through the can. You could easily create a pattern or just go random with the holes – your choice! If you use Pinterest, I have seen print outs of designs you can use. Fancy! Here’s one that caught my attention. (It says its for a pumpkin…but, I’m pretty sure it can easily work for this) Last step here is to pierce two last holes at the top of the can, left and right, for your cord/string/wire, to hang the lanterns. If you aren’t planning to hang them, skip this step.

Now that your holes are finished (you can always add more) its time to give that can a makeover. Unless you prefer the tin look, which I think looks pretty awesome, myself. I’m using regular spray paint though there are paints specifically made for metal. This is what I have on hand and it works with my deck color scheme this summer. Spray the cans exterior and let them dry. Depending on the weather it could be a few hours to a day.

After the cans dry thread through your string/wire/cord, or if you chose not to hang them – assemble how you wish. I, personally, love a good real flame so I’m going to use tea lights, votive sized and real candles in mine. You can be as creative or as frugal with this as you wish. The Dollar Tree has great LED tea lights, small solar lights, and all sorts of light ideas. One of my lanterns is bigger so I’m planning to pop a chunky pillar candle in it for the summer – or even a citronella to pull some double duty out back.

Voila! Insta-cute lighting on the deck! Don’t you love a cute, cheap project?

You can find us here on our deck most days {and nights}. It’s my favorite place in my home right now. I love sneaking out here in the morning before the children wake up to read and have my first cup of hot coffee with the birds. My husband and I like to try and end most days out here, too, with the citronella lit and sun setting, catching up and chatting about the day. Outdoor living, for us, is something we look forward to all year and it really does bring us together. Meals are shared on the deck table, kickball games in the yard, and all sorts of things growing in the flower beds. Ahhhh, summer, welcome back!