Inside: Jazz up your patio with this DIY outdoor chandelier that gives off beautiful candle light. Such a great upcycle!
The hubs is no longer thinking I’m crazy for holding on to an ugly chandelier that we ripped out of our dining room a while ago. Oh no… now (even though I haven’t actually heard it,) he is singing my praises cause I took that old chandelier and upcycled it into this fun outdoor chandelier that doesn’t even require electricity! I guess the proper term would be Outdoor Candle Chandelier!
How much did it cost me?
Zero. Nada. Nothin’. I reinvented it with supplies I hoarded already had on hand, and I’ll show you how you can do the same!
What? You don’t have one of these beauties on hand? Well, I see them at garage sales quite a bit, or you might have some luck on Craigslist or a thrift store. The point is, this should be a very low cost project.
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(If you don’t want to go through all of that trouble, I found one very similar on Amazon for about 50 bucks.)
You can see this old sad chandelier from the before post of my dining room revamp. We took it down during the remodel, and it made a really great home for the spiders living in our garage. Until now, when it was time to dust it off and give it new life.
I’ve been working on creating a fun and relaxing outdoor living area and decided that a bit of DIY outdoor lighting over the dining table would be one of those finishing touches to really make the space feel like a room. So I dug it out of the garage and got to work.
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I knew I didn’t want to deal with electricity at all, so the first thing I did was take the wires out by unscrewing the bulbs and disassembling the chandelier. I cut the wires and took off the metal parts that held the light bulb. That let the little dish parts come off (for painting later.)
Once it was all apart, I gave it a coat of paint using the leftover Rust-Oleum Key Lime spray paint that I had from the outdoor curtains I made. I let it dry between coats and turned it to get it sprayed from every angle.
I needed the nut portion of the metal part that held up the bulb to reassemble later, so instead of trying to buy nuts to fit, the (smart) hubs just bent the long part (shown above) until it broke off and we were left with the nut.
Once it was dry, I put it back together and we hung it from our patio cover using the original chain.
Then, I used super glue to attach some small glass votives that I had in my cupboard. You can get these at the dollar store if you don’t already have some.Once it was all dry, it was ready for candles! I used real ones and the light it gave off at night was so pretty. I do live in a high fire area though. so if it is at all windy, I’ll switch these out for some fake LED tea light candles.
It’s so weird that I didn’t like this chandelier before, because now that it’s green, I love it!
So let’s do a little recap of this space so far. Comfortable outdoor furniture, check! Budget friendly outdoor curtains and the curtain rod, check! Outdoor chandelier, check!
I have one more project to show you next week, and then it will be time to tour the entire space! And summer is only beginning… go me!
Don’t forget to PIN before you go by hovering over any image!
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Berenice Wolpin says
You did a great job on this. Question about the chandelier – how do you light the candles? Given how high it’s hung, it seems like that could be problematic. Thanks!
Corey Willis says
Thanks Berenice! I just stand on one of the dining chairs to light them. It’s never been a problem.:) 🙂
Katie says
So lovely and thrifty! Must do since i don’t have much spare time. I built a simple structure with extra landscape timbers and salvaged aluminum panels to shelter our hot tub. It’s certainly functional as it held up and prevented a huge tree limb from a typical Kansas storm. I’ve been using an ugly tarp and rope lights (Halloween). Your ideas and tutorials are just perfect!!! I can’t wait to do these!
Laura says
How did you get the votives around the screw piece on each light base?
Corey Willis says
Hey Laura, I’m not sure I totally understand the question, but I used a glue that foams up just a little so they sit right on top of the screws. Hope this helps!
celesa roach says
I am having the same problem as well, so I am spray painting mason jar lids (I have tons) will glue those the base and then the votives to the lids. Crossing my fingers.
Esther says
I love what you have done with this outdoor space but….. I can only catch a glimpse of your backyard.😔 I have a new home with a bare backyard and would appreciate some ideas. Please post pictures of your yard.
Thanks
Michelle Bentley says
I found the perfect chandelier on offer up, I cannot wait to add this to my gazebo! Thank you!
Corey says
Hey Michelle! That is awesome! Be sure to send me a photo when you are done!
Sara says
I’m off to the Restore to look for a chandalier for my patio!! Paint store across the street for drop cloths!! I’m so inspired!! Thanks!!!
JoAnn says
What are the dimensions of this chandelier Please I have been looking for one for a long time thank you JoAnn
Corey says
Hi JoAnn. The chandelier is about 18 inches wide and probably about 14 inches high. That is definitely a guess but a good place to look would be your local habitat for humanity restore. They have a ton of builder grade chandeliers.
Pat says
I’m not a chandelier gal, but I am seriously swooning over this one (and let’s be honest…your entire outdoor living room)! Thanks so much for sharing this project! Blessings!
julia dance says
Well what a great idea of outdoor curtains! I have enjoyed your posting, the recycling idea of the chandelier is amazing. I am going to get sewing and spraying. Thank you.
Jan Steward says
Am so going to make this. Just love it. Now the only thing stopping me is finding the actual light. Tip sale room here I come.
Corey W. says
This is still one of my favorite projects! It is just outside my kitchen window too so I look at it all the time, since I feel like I’m doing dishes all the time. 🙂 I’ve seen these builder grade chandeliers at thrift stores before and you can also find them pretty cheap at builder supply stores, which may be easier. Happy hunting!
Jasmine says
All of your ideas are AWESOME!!! Love them! Thanks for the tips!!!
Corey W. says
Thanks so much Jasmine!
JaneEllen says
Your outdoor room is fantastic gal. love all I’ve seen. The curtains are really pretty with stripe colors you painted on them. I might just have to make some of those for north side of our deck., south side has awesome view over valley and mountains.
I want one of those candeliers, the apple green color sets it off with your furniture, curtains and drink station. Changing tables are great for things after baby. I had a really nice in my site at our Habitat but they wanted $60 for it. It was sort of like the Jenny lind style but not for that much. Was going to use it in our bathroom for towels, etc. under window.
What area of San Diego do you live in? Still have 2 kids that live there, they had moved away and moved back again few years ago. We used to live out in Santee but left in 1992 to move onto 20 acres and big lake south of Helena, MT. Then we moved to KY, now we live in western CO, just few miles west of Grand Junction. To be honest if we could have what we did I’d move back to MT in heart beat, loved it there.
Enjoy your wonderful patio, looks awesome.
Suzan says
I’ve been on the lookout for one of these – OMG – it’s just gorgeous done in green against your blues – love love love !!!
xox
Britni says
What a wonderful idea, Corey! Love this. 🙂
Alexis @ Persia Lou says
It turned out great, Corey! Can’t wait to see the final tour!
Afton says
That Key Lime paint really did the trick. The outdoor fixture looks wonderful!
Corey W. says
Thank you so much. It is my go to bright green!
Katja | Shift Ctrl Art says
What a beautiful make-over. I love the green you chose. So pretty!!
[email protected] of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Love Love LOVE, Corey!! So glad to see to see it at our party! Can’t wait to share today on my page today 🙂
Corey W. says
Thanks so much Christy! I don’t know how I missed meeting you at Haven! Would have loved to chat with you 🙂
[email protected] Interior Frugalista says
Corey I love your outdoor chandelier – the color is fabulous too! I’m visiting from the Link It Or Lump It Party and am definitely pinning this and heading to the thrift stores to find me a chandy 😉
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
I love this Corey!!! Love the colour you chose too! Would love for you to share it at our link party (or any other DIY) on my blog please 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
Kristi says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Such a creative idea Corey! Featuring this tomorrow in a round up of my favorite Summer projects! Wishing you a fabulous long weekend!
Amy @ Homey Oh My! says
Oh my goodness it’s beautiful! I love that green color!! And super genius with the votives.
Candace says
I love your color scheme! What a transformation with that pop of color. I am partial to those colors, also. I may have to try your tutorial for the curtains, too!
Candace says
I love the transformation of that lamp and I am partial to your color scheme as well! I may have to try to follow your tutorial on the curtains for my screen porch, too!
tinysidekick says
Adding curtains was the best thing I’ve done so I highly recommend it. It gives the space such a cozy feeling especially at night!
Kim says
Super cute. I love the green color and the simple lines of the fixture. We have a covered porch and the hubby wants to add hi hat lighting to the ceiling (on a dimmer of course!), but I may have to add one of these as well!
tinysidekick says
Men love their dimmers don’t they but a chandelier adds so much character. Someday we are going to make the cover over ours solid so that it is more of a covered porch. Making this space usable has been like adding another room to our home. Thanks for stopping by!
Amy W says
This turned out excellent! I’m ready to come over and enjoy that outdoor space with you!
tinysidekick says
Wouldn’t a weekend with a group of us (and a few cocktails) sitting around talking blog stuff be so much fun? Ahhhhh! Maybe we should do our own mini retreat!
Selene Galindo says
What a great way to save a light fixture!! I love how it turned out…and you’re right, that chandelier rocks in green!!!
tinysidekick says
I can’t believe I almost got rid of it. Just another example of the power of spray paint right?
Melanie says
When can I come over and enjoy?
Nicole B. says
I love this idea! We’ve got a few brass chandeliers chillin with the spiders in our basement. Maybe its time for them to come hang out on the patio! I’m lovin all of your outdoor projects!!
tinysidekick says
Brass chandeliers would be perfect for this! Thanks for coming by Nicole 🙂
Leigh Anne says
Love it! your outdoor space is looking LOVELY!
tinysidekick says
Thank you so much Leigh! We are certainly loving it and we are using the space more than ever!