Line the path to your solar-lit gazebo with two rows of solar landscape lights. Via Indulgy.

Solar power is everywhere–solar-powered clothing and backpacks that charge your gadgets on the go, solar-powered camping tents, Tesla’s solar roof shingles, and even keyless solar bike locks that alert you if someone tries to nab your wheels.  Solar has gone mainstream.

Renewable energy sources for the home powered by the sun can be stylish as well as sustainable. And if you are even a little crafty, you might entertain some of these creative DIY ideas for solar landscape lighting in your backyard garden, patio, or balcony.

Photo: Jeanne King, Pinterest.

Harness Sun Power for DIY Upcycled Designs
Recycled household objects don’t need to end up in landfill. Consider upcycling an old chandelier, lampshade form, disused kitchen items such as mason jars and other “found” objects you can turn into decorative and practical solar light fixtures.

Photo: Phomz.

Got leftover mason jars from making all that jam from your homegrown organic strawberries? As an even more eco-friendly option, make some solar pathway lights using these upside-down jars.

You may need to purchase some new items for your projects, but most are readily available and inexpensive–and again, you can decide to reuse them later.

Via The Solar House.

Got some extra small stones on your property or leftovers from a completed garden project? Think about filling some glass vessels and topping them off with small solar lights,

Photo: April Converse, Pinterest.

Go For the Green Glow
Yep, that old chandelier you were going to toss or the one you found at that tag sale would look pretty great with a coat of your favorite color paint and decorated with beads (or found crystal pieces.) Replace the usual light bulbs with small solar lights, hang them in your favorite sunny outdoor spot, and you will have an illuminated focal point for your garden when the sun sets.

Photo: Virginia Riviera, Pinterest.

A tree stump finds new life as an outdoor solar light fixture perfect for illuminating a pathway or as a stand-alone piece. Place a solar landscape light on top of it and you’re set to glow.

Crystal bird feeder with solar light from gardenknicknacks on Etsy. Via Shantyinsanity.

I’m smitten by this solar bird bath, above, created from repurposed glass lamps and bowls. Scout the flea markets for old glass stuff and stack them up to create your own unique design. It brings a bit of birdie bling to a table and could shine as a design feature anywhere outdoors.

Via The Solar House.

Replacing the small light bulbs or candles with solar lights on a traditional hanging pendant lamp like this only leaves you with one decision: what color to paint and where to hang it.

Height of Junktique: Solar Outdoor Chandelier
I once had a dining room chandelier dripping with crystals similar to the one I snagged at a Manhattan thrift shop for $150.  At the time I thought it an extraordinary amount to pay for a “junktique” light fixture, but it drew loads of compliments, and everyone who saw it wanted to know where “my designer” found it.

For many years, until I moved, the chandelier was the focal point of that room whose walls were painted in Benjamin Moore 978, a deep taupe-gray color my kids called “goose poop.”  I painted the crown molding metallic gold which paired beautifully with that luminous chandelier. If the types of solar lights were available then as they are now–I would have used them for a chandelier in my outdoor dining area too. Next time.

Please share your own sunny ideas by commenting below…