How to Build a Wood Lantern-7 Easy Steps

Hi! I’m Nicole from Repurpose Life and I’m so excited to be the guest writer for Hazel + Gold Designs today. With the holidays right around the corner, I thought it would be fun and so very applicable to share this evergreen project with you. Hold it! Didn’t I just say, “evergreen?” but in the same sentence I mentioned the holidays? That’s the beauty of this DIY design. It’s timeless…great for holidays AND everyday. This modern farmhouse wood lantern is such a fun and easy build. So let’s get to it!!

HOW TO BUILD A MODERN FARMHOUSE  WOOD LANTERN

(Instructions are for a 21″ lantern–measurement includes the topper)

Materials Needed:

• 2x2x8 Furring Strip Boards
• 1x4x8 Furring Strip Board
• 2x4x8 Pine Board
• 1x3x8 Pine Board
• 2″ Kreg Jig Screws

Tools Needed:

• Miter Saw
• Drill
• Kreg Jig
• Measuring Tape

Step 1: Cut 4– 1×4 furring strip boards to 7″ each.

Step 2: Clamp 2 boards together (from step 1) using wood glue. Do the same with the remaining 2 boards (This is the top and bottom bases of your lantern).

Step 3: Cut 4–2×2’s to 16″ each.

Step 4: Drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes into the ends of each 2×2 —

Set these aside, we’ll use them in Step 6.

Step 5: Measure and Cut 2×2’s to fit around the 2 boards glued together from Step 1. Then drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes into the ends of each 2×2 (as shown below). (Do this for both top and bottom bases of lantern). Drill 2×2’s together, using 2″ pocket hole screws…

(I used a 1″ pocket hole screw to secure the base to the 2×2 border (as seen above)…however, you could use wood glue around the edges of your base to secure them to your 2×2 border).

Step 6: Using 2″ pocket hole screws, drill the 4 boards (from Step 3) into the base of your lantern…

Step 7: Flip the lantern over and attach the other base to your 4×4’s…using 2″ pocket hole screws.

You now have something that looks like a lantern. 🙂

Let’s add the topper to give our wood lantern more of a finished look.

I found it easiest to assemble my topper separately and then add it to the lantern.

For the wood lantern topper….

1. Cut 1- 2×4 to 3 1/2″
2. Cut 1- 1×3 to 2 1/2″
3. Using wood glue attach both boards together…

Use wood glue and clamps to attach these two boards to the top of your lantern….

And that’s it! Just add paint and your wood lantern is ready for display! I found it easiest to spray paint mine. I love this chalk paint from Rust-Oleum. The colors they offer are beautiful!

These wood lanterns were so easy to put together, I decided to build them in 3 different sizes…

I love these coastal blue spray painted ones on my outdoor kitchen countertop…

I might add, they have held up very well outside amongst all of the elements….

And just for fun, here’s a look at them with my fall decor…

Of course wood lanterns look great inside too…

And don’t forget about your friends and family! They will love them too…Great for gifts!!

As always, please don’t hesitate to email me or comment below with any questions you may have. I always love to see what you’ve done, so be sure to send me pictures after you’ve completed your modern farmhouse wood lantern. Please share this image on Pinterest as well!

Until next time,

Happy Building!!

AND I would love for you to go check out my most popular, easy-to-follow tutorial: How to Make Your Own Sliding Barn Door