DIY Solar Light Using A Vintage Hanging Flower Basket

I’m joining a group of very talented ladies in The Handcrafted Society. Each month they share a project that is their own version of repurposing a particular item.

This month we were all challenged to use something from the garden and repurpose it. I actually used two items from my garden. A vintage hanging flower basket and a white wood post flower hanger that “Handy” made for me and I hadn’t used it years.

Don’t forget to check out the creations from the rest of the ladies. You’ll find their links at the end of this post.

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Flower Basket Solar Light

I stumbled across some charming vintage hanging flower baskets at a barn sale. I have been using them for the last few years for their intended purpose as hanging flower baskets on my front porch.

However they are on the small side and don’t give the impact that I like on the porch. So what do you do with a pretty wire floral basket? I brought one of the baskets into the house and stared at it from every angle for several days. I finally decided that it would make a great light for outside.

Today, I’m going to walk you through how I transformed an old hanging basket into a gorgeous solar hanging basket light that has completely changed the mood of my outdoor space.

Finding the Perfect Basket

I was so lucky to find my wire basket at a barn sale but some other places you might stumble upon one is an estate sale, garage sale, and you can even find inexpensive ones at your home improvement store or the Dollar Store. 

I’ve seen other fun things to use as “lamp shades” for garden accents or whimsical light shade ideas. I have deconstructed lamp shade frames above my outdoor dining table. The light in my greenhouse is the top of a lantern with a cylinder wire frame. If your space is protected, you could use an actual basket for your lamp shade. 

The Inspiration

When you live in a small house, your outdoor area becomes great deal more important. Being an avid gardener, my outdoor space gets as much attention in the warm months as my indoor space. 

We have a chicken coup and a greenhouse that are both getting a facelift this spring/summer. Once I got the idea for creating a solar light out of my wire basket, I also remembered that I had a wooden post that we weren’t using that has been laying behind my greenhouse. I decided to marry the solar light project with my post that was basically being rescued from the burn pile. 

This new light would be a great addition to the chicken coop which will now be lit up from dusk to dawn with the solar light kit that I found that would fit perfectly inside of my basket. 

Gathering Supplies

For this project, I kept things super simple. Here’s what I used:

• My vintage hanging flower basket
• A solar light kit (I found one for $29 at Amazon)
• Some zip ties, twist ties, or wire to secure the light to the basket.
• Screw driver or cordless screw driver to secure the solar panel and the post
• Exterior Paint

Optional Items:

• Spray Paint
• Glass Prisms or Crystals

I was considering using spray paint to freshen up the flower basket but then decided that the rusty look added to it’s vintage charm so I just left it as is. I also have some crystals from an old chandelier that doesn’t work and I may just add those crystal glass prisms to the rim of the basket at some point. 

The beauty of this project is its flexibility. You might find an entirely different style of hanging basket, or maybe you’ll want to use different decorative elements. The core idea remains the same – combining something old with something new to create a unique light fixture for your outdoor space.

The Transformation Process

Step 1: Prep The Post

The first thing that I had to do was have “Handy” take off one arm of the post as I was only going to use the highest arm of what used to hang plant baskets (how appropriate). He also had to replace the top moulding as the old piece was rotted off. Then the whole thing needed a fresh coat of paint. 

Step 2: Prep The Basket

I was considering using spray paint to freshen up the flower basket but then decided that the rusty look added to it’s vintage charm so I just left it as is. It also saved me a step. 

I have some crystals from an old chandelier that doesn’t work and I may just add those crystal glass prisms to the rim of the basket at some point. 

Step 3: Figure Out Your Light Placement

The solar light kit I purchased included a small solar panel (about 5″ square) and I knew that the best place to put the panel was on the fence between the chicken coop and the vegetable garden as it can be placed due south. 

Now we needed to decided where to put the post and the light. My initial thought was to put it inside the coop but “Handy” showed me what it would look like mounted right outside between both the coop and the fenced in vegetable garden. It was the perfect place! It would give visual interest and add a source of light to either spot. 

Step 4: Attach the Solar Panel

The solar panel was easily mounted with some screws to the fence wall and the wires could be tacked down with some heavy duty staples along the top leading to the post. 

Step 5: Attaching the Post

​My recycled post was easily mounted to the corner post of the chicken coop with some long screws. It looks like it’s always been there! 

Step 6: Add Decorative Elements

I haven’t done this yet but as I said, I have some crystals from an old chandelier that I may repurpose as some decorative elements to the basket. I’m hoping they will do a few things: 

1. Keep the squirrels and birds aways from the flower pot that I’ve set right under the light.
2. Give the solar light some dancing light interest at night

Hanging It Up

The moment of truth came at dusk that evening. I hung my creation from that  old wooden post that had previously been used to hang flower baskets. There was something poetic about that – this post and this basket continuing their lives in our yard but in a new form.

As the day’s light faded, the solar lights gradually brightened. The effect was better than I’d imagined! The LED lights created a cozy glow, and lite up not only the pot that we put under it but also the surrounding area. I can’t wait for that pot to be teaming with flowers in a few months and be lit up by this new light. 

Other Ideas for Hanging the Light

• A Shepards hook works anywhere in your yard
• A long wall hook from the side of a structure or a tree
• Use a screw hook and or wire to hang it under a porch, in a gazebo, under a tree or from a trellis
  

The Impact on My Outdoor Space

It’s amazing how one thoughtful light fixture can transform an outdoor area. Before, this are of our yard was very dark . Now it has a focal point that creates ambiance. I’m actually also wondering if it might serve as a deterent to the deer who don’t like to be seen at night. 

I have a few more of these baskets and I thing that their might be a few more solar light projects in my future. I think they would be adorable hanging from under a few of the trees. 

On warm evenings, we spend a lot of time outdoors. Between this new light with it’s gentle glow it just may make us want to stay outdoor longer, maybe pour another glass of wine, or just sit in comfortable silence watching fireflies compete with your handiwork.

The Beauty of Solar

One thing I love about this project is its sustainability. It harnesses the sun’s energy, requires no electrical wiring, and repurposes something old rather than buying something new. The lights automatically come on at dusk and turn off when the battery runs down. 

There’s also something magical about an object that quietly gathers energy all day, only to release it as light when the world goes dark. It’s a small daily transformation that never fails to make me smile. We have been using solar pole lights in our garden beds for several years. They just make everything more magical. 

Variations on the Theme

Since making my solar basket light, I’ve been thinking about different styles and variations:

• You could use 1/2 round planter baskets as lighted wall sconces
• create wire chains of from broken terra cotta pots and hang several from a wire basket to make a diy wind chime
• Wrapping portions of the basket with copper wire for added sparkle
• Fill the inside of a basket with fairy lights for a more whimsical look 
• Clustering several baskets of different sizes together for a chandelier effect

The possibilities really are endless, limited only by your imagination and the treasures you find at garage sales and thrift stores.

Maintenance and Care

One of the best things about this project is how little maintenance it requires. Occasionally, I’ll wipe dust off the solar panel to ensure it’s capturing maximum sunlight. The directions suggest every 3 months. Every couple of years, the rechargeable battery in the solar unit might need replacement, but that’s a simple and inexpensive fix.

During winter months in harsher climates, you might want to bring your creation indoors to protect it from snow and extreme cold, which can damage both the wicker and the solar components. In my zone 5b climate in Northern Illinois, with our extreme weather changes, I will probably be taking mine down during the coldest winter months. 

Final Thoughts

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking an object that had one life and giving it another. That hanging basket served its original owner well, holding flowers and greenery for years. Now, it continues to bring beauty to an outdoor space in a different way.

This project reminds me that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, the most charming additions to our homes come from seeing the potential in forgotten objects and giving them new purpose.

If you’ve got an old hanging basket gathering dust, or if you spot one at your next flea market adventure, consider giving this project a try. Your outdoor area will thank you with enchanting evenings under the gentle glow of your very own vintage solar light.

And the next time someone compliments your unique lighting, you’ll have a story to tell – about an old basket, an old wooden post, and how sometimes the most worthwhile new things come from giving the old ones a second chance.

What forgotten treasures do you have hiding in your garage or attic that might be transformed into something new? I’d love to hear your ideas for similar projects that blend vintage charm with modern technology to enhance our outdoor living spaces!

Peace and Love,