Gardens are one of the most versatile spaces in the home that can be used for many different activities, especially during the summer. Although they are usually thought of to be used during the day, the reality is that if you have appropriate garden lights you can also use them at night, without problems. The lighted gardens offer a special atmosphere and it is as simple as resorting to the use of candles, lamps, torches or light bulbs.
Cans turned into garden lights
If you are looking for a way to illuminate your garden in an original, simple and economical way, and you want to do it yourself, one way to do it is to resort to recycling cans. In this way, in addition to being able to get a personalized decoration and to your liking, you will be contributing to the conservation of the environment, something very important today.
With these metal containers you can create cans of different sizes and let your imagination do the rest to get the designs that interest you most.
Garden lights with cans: Step by step
If you want to have your own garden lights made from cans, follow these steps:
1. Collection and preparation of cans
To start, you should look for several cans of different sizes. In this sense, the most recommended containers are those for preserving. Once you have gotten as many as you need, you must condition them so that they can end up becoming lighting pieces.
To begin, you will have to remove the upper part of the can, for which you can use a can opener, knife or similar. Make sure there are no edges that could be dangerous for handling. Then remove all its labels and wash them very well.
Once washed, to continue recycling the cans you will have to freeze them . This step is key so that you can work on it and you can work on its design. The way to do it is very simple, since you only have to fill them with water and put them in the freezer. When the water is frozen, you can continue with the process
2. Create the layout
To continue with the creation of these decorative elements, you should take advantage of the frozen can to create the design that you like the most . To do this you just have to make small holes in the can. For this reason, the light that will create your illuminated gardens will come out.
In this way, you can make the design that you like the most through these holes, from a sun to stars, leaves or any other figure or shape that you like. When you are clear about what you want to do, you will only have to make the holes with nails and a hammer.
Before getting to work, it is advisable that you draw the desired design on paper and place it using a little adhesive tape on the can . In this way, as you drive the nails, you will be doing it based on that drawing and it will be much easier for your garden lights to look exactly as you want. In any case, when doing this step, start by placing a key on top to stabilize the paper and be careful not to tear it.
One last tip about this step is to make sure that between each of the holes in your new garden lights there is a similar distance, so that there is symmetry.
When you have finished creating your design and all the keys are in place, you will only have to remove them. Do it one by one carefully and finally put the can in the sun to fully thaw.
3. Paint the can
When the design is already embodied in the metal container, the next step in this recycling of cans is to paint them. In this way you can give them a more decorative touch, being enough to paint them in the color you prefer.
Although you can use different methods, the most recommended is that you use a spray paint. Apply it and wait the time indicated by the manufacturer . It is important that you do it after you have pierced the can, since, if you do it in the reverse order, the paint is likely to be damaged.
4. Place a candle
The final step in getting your garden lights is to place a candle inside the can. Try to fix it perfectly using some glue or similar that fixes it perfectly to its base. Depending on the size of the can, you will choose the size of the candle, which should be about two centimeters below the edge of the can .
In this way, you can have illuminated gardens whenever you need it, since it will be enough for you to place the cans in the places of the garden that interest you and light the candle to enjoy the light that you are bringing.
If you want to have enough lighting you will need more or less cans depending on the space on which they are going to be used. In addition, the design you make will also influence, since the more holes it has, it will allow more light to be projected outwards .
In any case, it is a craft that has great advantages both in terms of aesthetics and contribution to the environment, since you will be able to illuminate spaces outside your home (and even inside if you wish) without the need to use electricity and , in addition, giving a second life to those cans of preserves that you may have in your house.
