This DIY project offers a creative and affordable way to enhance your porch with glowing lanterns using everyday materials like ice cube trays and LED garden stakes. It transforms ordinary items into a striking lighting feature that adds ambiance and charm to any outdoor space, perfect for evening gatherings or simply enjoying a quiet night on the porch.
For a cohesive look, place the glowing porch lanterns along the edge of your porch or garden pathway. Pair them with potted plants and outdoor furniture in neutral tones to allow the lanterns' warm glow to become the focal point. Consider using similar warm white lighting elements elsewhere in your outdoor space to create a unified, inviting atmosphere.
Ice Cube Tray Glowing Porch Lanterns

Materials
20 clear plastic ice cube trays
4 tall warm white LED garden stakes
80 medium-sized zip ties
Scissors
Directions
1. Take five clear plastic ice cube trays and arrange them vertically in a circular pattern, ensuring the open sides face outward.
2. Secure each adjacent tray to its neighbor using two zip ties, one near the top and one near the bottom, creating a tight, cylindrical structure.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to create a total of four cylindrical ice cube tray structures.
4. Insert a tall warm white LED garden stake into the center of each cylinder, ensuring it stands upright and is securely held by the trays.
5. Trim any excess length from the zip ties for a clean finish.
6. Place the completed lanterns on your porch or garden area, evenly spaced for a balanced look.

Variations & Tips
To personalize your lanterns, consider painting the outer side of the ice cube trays with glass paint in a color that complements your outdoor decor. You could also use colored LED garden stakes for a different lighting effect. For a more permanent installation, secure the bases of the stakes into weighted pots or planters.