How To Make Mason Jar Patio Lights

Mason jar patio lights are a charming and eco-friendly way to illuminate your outdoor spaces. This DIY project combines the rustic appeal of mason jars with the convenience of solar power, creating a warm, inviting glow for your patio or garden. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating your own solar-powered mason jar lights, from gathering materials to troubleshooting common issues.

*Unless otherwise noted, costs in this article reflect an average of prices that our team found from hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot, and on Amazon.com.

Materials Needed for Mason Jar Lights

Before diving into the creation process, gather all the necessary materials. Having everything on hand will make the project run smoothly and efficiently.

Essential Supplies

To create your mason jar patio lights, you’ll need:

• Wide-mouth mason jars
• Solar-powered pathway lights
• Plexiglass sheet
• Frosted glass spray paint
• Glue (suitable for glass and plastic)
• Permanent marker
• Sandpaper
• Aviation snips

Lighting Choice Matters: When selecting solar-powered pathway lights for your mason jar project, consider LED versions. LED bulbs burn cool—an important factor when enclosed in glass—and reduce power consumption by as much as 75 percent compared to incandescent options. They also last significantly longer, around 25,000 hours, meaning you won’t need to disassemble your jars for bulb replacements anytime soon.

Optional Decorative Elements

To personalize your lights, consider adding:

• Colored glass paint
• Decorative wire for hanging
• Ribbons or twine
• Stencils for patterns

Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Mason Jar Patio Lights

Perfect for beginners, these lights are not only easy to make but also cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Step 1: Prepare Your Mason Jars

The first step in creating your solar-powered lights is to prepare the mason jars. This process involves cleaning the jars and applying a frosted finish for a soft, diffused glow.

Cleaning and Drying

Start by thoroughly washing your mason jars with soap and warm water. Rinse them well and dry completely to ensure the frosted spray adheres properly.

Applying Frosted Glass Spray

Once the jars are clean and dry, it’s time to apply the frosted finish:

1. Find a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.
2. Place the jars upside down on a protected surface.
3. Apply a light, even coating of frosted glass spray to the interior of each jar.
4. Allow the jars to dry completely, which typically takes about an hour.

If you want a more permanent frosted effect than spray alone, consider using etching cream, which chemically frosts the glass surface. As TOH Magazine explains, acid-etched glass was developed in the mid-1800s and became popular for its ability to diffuse natural light—the same quality that makes it ideal for patio luminaries. Apply the cream in a thick coat using a soft-bristle artist’s brush, and wear dishwashing or latex gloves since the active ingredient, ammonium bifluoride, can irritate skin. Rinse with a warm, damp sponge working from top to bottom.

This frosted finish will give your lights a hazy, aged-patina look, adding to their rustic charm.

Step 2: Make the Solar-Powered Lids

The key to making these lights solar-powered lies in modifying the lids to accommodate solar cells. This step requires some precision but is still manageable for DIY beginners. Properly crafting the lids ensures that the solar cells operate effectively.

Selecting the Right Solar Lights

Choose mini pathway lights from your local home center. Look for lights with a solar cell assembly that can be easily removed from the stake.

Modifying the Lids for Solar Cells

To prepare the lids:

1. Remove the metal inserts from the mason jar lids.
2. Trace the shape of each insert onto the plexiglass sheet using a permanent marker.
3. Cut out the plexiglass circles using aviation snips. For easier cutting, start by cutting a square around each circle, then trim the corners carefully.
4. Sand the edges of the plexiglass circles until they fit snugly inside the lid rings.

This will allow the solar cells to sit properly within the lids, ensuring optimal light capture and efficiency.

Solar Bulb Alternative: If you’d rather skip the plexiglass step, look for solar lightbulbs with built-in solar cells. As outlined in a This Old House DIY solar lantern project, you can insert a bulb with a built-in solar cell directly into a hole in the lid and secure it with weather-resistant hot glue for a watertight seal.

Step 3: Assemble Your Mason Jar Lights

With your jars prepared and lids modified, it’s time to bring all the elements together to create your solar-powered lights. This assembly stage is where your creativity and attention to detail will pay off.

Attaching Solar Cells to Lids

To attach the solar cells:

1. Remove the top portion of each stake light, which contains the solar cell and lightbulb.
2. Apply glue around the perimeter of a solar cell.
3. Press the solar cell onto the center of a plexiglass circle.
4. Repeat for all your lights, ensuring the cells are securely attached.

Securing Lids to Jars

Once the glue is dry, insert the plexiglass circle with the attached solar cell into the lid ring. Then, screw the lid ring onto the jar.

Your mason jar patio lights are now ready to capture sunlight and illuminate your outdoor space. Place them in a spot that receives plenty of sunlight for the best results.

Creative Design Ideas for Mason Jar Lights

While the basic mason jar light is charming on its own, there are numerous ways to customize your creation to match your personal style or outdoor decor.

Pro Tip: TOH homeowner Matthew Cecil of Sharon, Massachusetts, found an even simpler route: “We turned a pair of mason jars into pendant lights with inexpensive conversion kits from the home center.” These kits include a socket and cord assembly that threads right through the jar lid, eliminating the need for custom wiring.

Color Variations and Patterns

Consider these creative options:

• Use colored glass paint to tint the jars in various hues.
• Apply stencils before spraying to create patterns on the glass, making each jar unique.
• Mix and match different sizes of mason jars for visual interest.

Reader Spotlight: TOH reader Cassandra Stambaugh of Lakeland, Florida, took the mason jar light concept to the next level by building a full chandelier with her husband using a 1-inch-thick wood panel, jute rope, two types of chain, and mason jars from a closeout store. Their advice: sourcing jars from discount or closeout retailers can dramatically cut costs on larger multi-jar projects.

Hanging vs. Tabletop Arrangements

Decide how you want to display your lights:

• For hanging lights: Wrap the decorative wire around the jar’s neck and create a handle. This enables easy suspension from hooks or tree branches.
• For tabletop arrangements: Place the jars on flat surfaces or nestle them in planters. You can use them as centerpieces or accent lights.

Chandelier Option: For an ambitious take on mason jar patio lights, try the TOH method: wire together two stainless-steel canning racks, attach lengths of chain with four evenly spaced link connectors, and secure an eye hook into a support beam overhead. Place remote-control LED votives inside upside-down jar lids, twist on the glass jars, and position them on the racks for ambience at the touch of a button. Just be sure to use a hook rated for up to 12 pounds — these assemblies get heavy.

Placement and Care Tips for Your Mason Jar Patio Lights

Proper placement and maintenance of your mason jar lights will ensure they function optimally and last for many seasons.

Optimal Locations for Solar Charging

To maximize solar charging:

• Place your lights in areas that receive direct sunlight during the day. The more sun they get, the longer they’ll shine at night.
• Avoid shaded spots or areas under dense foliage, as these will hinder charging.
• Rotate the jars occasionally to ensure even sun exposure if they’re in partially shaded areas. This ensures balanced charging.

Spacing and Positioning: When arranging your mason jar patio lights, resist the urge to brighten every inch of your outdoor space. As TOH Magazine advises, aim to create “pools of light that gently point the way” by spacing lights 10 to 15 feet apart. Also, keep in mind that eye level shifts when people sit down — if you’re placing jars near a seating area, position them so they don’t throw light directly in anyone’s faces.

Maintenance and Cleaning

To keep your lights in top condition:

• Wipe the solar panels ‌regularly with a soft, damp cloth. Dust and dirt blocks sunlight and reduces efficiency.
• Check the seal between the lid and jar periodically to prevent moisture infiltration. A good seal keeps the internal parts dry and functional.
• Store the lights indoors during harsh weather conditions or winter months. This protects them from damage and extends their life span.

Our Conclusion

Creating mason jar patio lights is a rewarding DIY project that combines creativity, sustainability, and practicality. These charming lights add a warm, inviting glow to your outdoor spaces and serve as a conversation starter and a testament to your crafting skills.

When positioning your mason jar lights, keep in mind a key principle from TOH lighting projects: the bulb needs to be set back far enough to avoid creating a “hot spot.” As architect Marsha Topham explains, “Distance also allows the light to fill the space and evenly illuminate what amounts to an art object.” The frosted or tinted glass of a mason jar naturally helps diffuse the light, but spacing your jars thoughtfully ensures a comfortable, even glow across your patio.

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