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DIY Industrial Style Concrete Pillar Solar Light

Spring is finally in the air, so I’m ready to work on my outdoor decor, with projects like my DIY pillar solar lights. They’re made using those simple stake solar lights that are super cheap. The problem with those metal tubes is that they can blow over in the wind, and if you have rocky ground (like we do) you may have problems getting them in the ground in the first place. And, since we never know which area of our huge yard that we’ll want to hang out on any given day. So, I came up with a way to stabilize the solar lights, make them move-able, and to make them pretty with an industrial twist. If you can make pancakes, you can do this project – it’s really easy and I’ll show you how!
solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting
solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting

First you’ll need just a few things: You’ll need a solar light on a removable stake, you can pick these up at Lowe’s for around $5. You will also need an oatmeal container. I used a medium size one – because it’s almost the exact same height as the metal pole (we’ll get to that in a minute.)

solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting

You’re also going to need some quick setting concrete – I used Quikrete in the red bag, also from Lowe’s. This stuff sets up really quick – which is good and bad. It’s great because your posts will be ready in about 24 hours. The only bad part is that if you’re making multiple posts you’ll need to mix it in small batches. The only other thing you’ll need is some water (which we used straight out of the hose.) I only used a tiny portion of the bag, so I’m pretty sure you could probably make about 20 out of one.

solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting
First, let’s do a little light surgery. Take off the top bulb part and set it aside, you’ll need to pull out the tab that activates the battery. You’ll also notice on the end (not shown in photos) the pointy part of the tube that is inserted upside down in the other end. Make sure the piece is still inserted into the tube, point side in, so that the flat section is down. If you don’t leave this part in, the tube will fill with concrete and your light won’t go in later. (I learned this the hard way.)

Also, tap out the empty oatmeal box to get rid of any lingering particles, so that it’s ready to hold the concrete.

solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting

Next, mix together your concrete, adding a little water at a time until it’s about the consistency of thick pancake batter.

solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting
Now, pour it to *almost* the top of the oatmeal container. Why an oatmeal container? Because it has a waxy coating on the inside and the concrete won’t stick once it’s cured. And also – it’s a great way to recycle!
solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting
 Next, tap, tap, tap  on the sides to get out the air bubbles.
solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting
 Then insert the tube into the middle of the concrete filled oatmeal container.
solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting

Put something on top, so that it holds the tube in the concrete, if you don’t it will just float to the top. You want the tube buried, ya know?

After 12 hours, carefully peel off the oatmeal container. After 24 hours, it’s cured and ready to go.

solar lights, eco-friendly, outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting
Just put the light back in the tube as it goes, and you’re ready to soak up the solar rays and light up your evening events. I think a row of these would look amazing around a pool, too, don’t ya think?
Like this solar light project? You may also like my DIY upcycled solar light.
Thanks to Lowe’s for partnering with me on this post. You can find other great ideas at Lowes.com
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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Deneen@dreaming-n-color says

    April 2, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    Great idea!

    Reply
  2. Jenny Lynn says

    April 2, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    They would look great around a pool where you might do some night swimming.

    Reply
  3. Savannah Warren says

    April 2, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    A few of these would look great in my garden.

    Reply
  4. beth jillette says

    April 2, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  5. beth jillette says

    April 2, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    Love this. Must make some
    Thank you!

    Reply
  6. pbrenner says

    April 2, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    Great idea! I don’t have oatmeal cartons, but I think I could cut down a concrete tube form from HD or Lowes. I had some of these lights stuck in the ground, but my horses keep knocking them over (and breaking them, grr), I think the concrete would stop at least some of that, lol

    Thanks!

    Patty

    Reply
  7. 20 North Ora says

    April 2, 2013 at 7:17 pm

    What an ingenious idea!

    Judy

    Reply
  8. Sylvia says

    April 3, 2013 at 1:58 am

    Clever, clever idea. I’m trying to think of some other containers to use. We don’t eat oatmeal and even if we did, it would take a long time to get enough cartons to make several of these. Suggestions?

    Reply
  9. Tricia Hicks says

    April 3, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    Gina, this is genius! I am making some of these!

    Reply
  10. Shannon Fox says

    April 5, 2013 at 2:22 am

    These are really cool Gina! What a smart idea!!

    Reply
  11. Linda says

    September 1, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    Just what I need! Sticking them in the ground at my front steps isn’t working. Sometimes they get run over by the lawn mower and at night they are too low to the ground so instead of lighting the way they make a strange illusion and I can’t see the steps.I will most definitely do this. Thanks for the idea.

    Reply
  12. Jamie says

    January 22, 2014 at 7:03 am

    I’ve always been apprehensive about mixing & using concrete in crafts or small projects because I’m afraid I’ll not get the consistency correct & the whole project will have to be scrapped. These instructions are pretty straight forward, except I was wondering if I someone can give me an approximate amount of water to add to the dry concrete, so I have a starting point, at least. I love solar lights & can’t wait to try this in the spring! Thanx!

    Reply
  13. Rachel says

    February 18, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    This is so cool! Finally a light that the dog won’t knock over! =) I would love to link to this in my next Outdoor Roundup if you didn’t mind.

    Reply
  14. Pamela says

    March 22, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    I love working with concrete. Thanks for the great idea.

    Reply
  15. Kaitlyn @ FreshlyMessyLife says

    May 4, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    I just wanted to let you know; I plan to do this! This is one of the COOLEST DIY crafts I’ve run across (originally found on Pinterest). I haven’t made it yet, but I will be 😉 I think I’ll do it in November for my mom’s birthday, since this upcoming week will be so crazy with everything before this years’ mother’s day. My mom LOVES her garden/pond, and 3-4 of these to go out at her pond would be absolutely amazingly fantastic! I know she would have to love them! I’m so excited about it! I just created my new blog and my first real post was 24-Mothers Day Gifts that don’t Break the Bank! I shared this, and wanted to let you know in case you need any additional kind of credit/linking.

    http://freshlymessylife.wordpress.com/2014/05/04/24-mothers-day-crafts/#more-25

    But your blog is amazing, and I thank you for sharing this!

    Reply
  16. cathy says

    July 21, 2014 at 10:54 am

    Just make sure to use a solar light that has a replaceable, solar battery. 🙂

    Reply
  17. diane says

    March 18, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    I don’t get it … why not just insert the stake at the bottom of the light into the ground? … it would look better …

    Reply
  18. Vee says

    March 19, 2015 at 2:16 pm

    Great idea. Is it safe to assume that you cut the bottom of the oatmeal container out in order to get the cement mold out? and did you say 1 bag of cement makes 20? If so, what is the weight of the bag i.e. 60lb or 80 pounds to get 20?

    Reply
  19. Vee says

    March 19, 2015 at 2:19 pm

    Wonderful idea. Is it safe to assume that you cut the bottom of the oatmeal container out prior to putting the cement in it? Also, if you were able to make 20 out of 1 bag of cement, what size bag of cement did you purchase? I await your response would love to try this.

    Reply
  20. Brooke says

    April 19, 2015 at 5:32 am

    I like this idea I’m going to see howeasy it might be to stain the concrete perhaps a terra cotta road or a bluestone colL

    Reply
  21. Tom O says

    May 22, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Very clever idea, thanks for sharing. I have two stone pillars at the end of my driveway with no electricity to them, this will work perfect! I think I’ll add some dye to the concrete for a little different look… 🙂

    Reply
  22. Angel says

    June 7, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    Awesome!

    Reply
  23. Alice says

    June 22, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    I was just curious to know if anyone had done this and if any problems with the cement cracking during the winter with any moisture that may have gotten in the pipe and froze.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      July 13, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      I haven’t had any issues, and it’s been over two years now.

      Reply
  24. Hannah says

    May 21, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    This is bloody brilliant. I love my solar lights, but my dog thinks they are snacks. Snacks that leave glass and plastic all over my lawn. Maybe now I can have some lights below the 6ft mark!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      May 21, 2018 at 12:55 pm

      Ha ha Hannah, yes, these might just do the trick for you 🙂

      Reply
  25. Jitka West says

    September 25, 2019 at 11:31 am

    It’s September 2019 and I’m just seeing this post. Aaargh!
    I tried this out and it looks really good. I used containers from a different brand of oatmeal and those had a vertical seam. So I didn’t get the super-industrial swirls on the outside. Still, I have sturdy light bases the cats won’t push over when they rub against them!
    I had a little trouble with the first one because I couldn’t get the aggregate (rocks) out from under the post when I pushed it into the concrete. One the remaining two, I put the post in and poured in a little concrete, slid the post back to center, filled a little more, re-positioned the post, … That was troublesome, especially working against the clock with fast-drying concrete mix. Next time, I think I’ll try using mortar mix because it doesn’t have rocks in it and taping the pipe to the container to hold it in place. Also, I’ll mix in some concrete pigment.
    This idea is so pretty and USEFUL. I know my friends will want some of their own. How wonderful. Thanks so much for this idea!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 26, 2019 at 10:23 am

      Thanks so much!! So glad you liked it Jitka!

      Reply

Trackbacks

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