Difficulty
Beginner
Duration
2-4 hours
Presented by Anika Gandhi of Anika’s DIY Life.
With just a few tools, you can create a DIY House Lantern, a unique piece of decor to fit any holiday or season.
Gather Tools & Materials
Materials:
- 1 x 10 board – 15 inches total
- 2 x 2 board – 16 feet total
- Wood glue
- 2-inch finish nails
- 1 1/4-inch wood screws
Tools:
- Miter saw
- Nail gun
- Power drill
Make Wood Cuts
Make these cuts to your wood boards:
- One 1 x 10 board - cut at 15 inches
- Nine 2 x 2 boards - cut at 12 inches
- Four 2 x 2 boards - cut at 9 inches
- Two 2 x 2 boards - one end cut at 45 degrees - long end to end at 6 1/2 inches
- Two 2 x 2 board - one end cut at 45 degrees - long end to end at 5 inches
Join Side Boards
Attach 12-inch boards to the ends of a 9-inch board using wood glue and finish nails.
Complete End Frames
- Attach a 9-inch piece on top to complete making a rectangular frame.
- Build two of the frames.
Attach Legs to Frame
Attach 12-inch 2 x 2 pieces to the frame from Step 2, using wood glue and finish nails.
Tip: It is easier to attach two diagonally opposite boards and then stand the entire structure up to attach the remaining boards.
Attach Frame to Top
Attach the other rectangular frame to the top using wood glue and finish nails.
Create Base
Attach the 1 x 10 board to the frame using wood glue and 1 1/4-inch wood screws to make the base for the lantern.
Build Angled Roof Line
- Build roof structure by attaching one long and one short angled board to each end of the short side of the structure.
- Use wood glue and finish nails to secure them in place.
Attach Center Beam
For the center beam, attach a 12-inch board aligned to the top of the roof triangles using wood glue and finish nails.
Enjoy Your Decor
Add seasonal elements and place your decor on a table or floor.
This versatile piece of DIY decor can come together easily with just a few tools. The beautiful finished product can be used as indoor or outdoor decoration. Light it up for the holidays or change it up to span the seasons.
Ready to start your project? The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them.