DIY Mason Jar Lanterns for Cozy Porch Evenings
Turn a few wide-mouth jars into warm, glowing mason jar lanterns with a sturdy wire handle and a frosted finish that softens the light.
By the HotsBuzz team ·
- Skill levelEasy
- Time1 hour plus drying
- Budget$12-$20 for four
- Steps7
Few projects give you as much glow for as little effort as mason jar lanterns. A wire handle, a frosted or tinted finish and a little light inside turn an everyday pantry jar into something you’ll want to hang from a porch hook, line along a path or cluster on a dinner table.
This tutorial walks you through a sturdy twisted-wire handle that won’t slip off the jar neck, plus two easy finishes: a frosted look using frosted glass spray and a soft tint using thinned craft paint. We’ll also cover which lights to use indoors versus outside, because a real flame inside glass needs a bit of care.
Plan on about an hour of hands-on time for a set of four, plus drying time for any paint or spray. Everything here is beginner friendly, and the jars can be cleaned and reused whenever you want a new look.
Materials & tools
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You’ll need
Tools
Step-by-step instructions
Clean and prep the jars
Peel off any labels and soak away sticky residue with warm, soapy water. Once dry, wipe the outside of each jar with rubbing alcohol so paint and spray grip evenly. Handle jars by the rim from here on to keep fingerprints off the glass.
Mask a design (optional)
If you want a clear window or stripe, press painter’s tape onto the glass in your chosen shape, burnishing the edges with a fingernail. Simple bands, a heart or a star shape cut from tape all work well. Leave the threaded neck uncovered by paint so the handle sits snugly.
Frost or tint the glass
For frosting, work outdoors or in a very well-ventilated area, wear gloves and spray two or three light coats from about 10 inches away, waiting 10 minutes between coats. For a tint, mix 1 tablespoon of school glue, 1 teaspoon of water and a few drops of acrylic paint, swirl it inside the jar, pour out the excess and dry upside down on a rack. Let either finish dry for at least a few hours, then peel off the tape.
Make the neck band
Cut a 24-inch piece of wire and wrap it twice around the jar just under the threads. Twist the ends together tightly with pliers, leaving a small gap so you can form a loop on each side. Wrap the wire around a marker on opposite sides of the jar to make two small eyelets.
Add the handle
Cut a 14-inch piece of wire, thread one end through an eyelet and bend it back on itself, wrapping the tail around the handle three or four times. Arch the wire over the jar and repeat on the other side. Squeeze any sharp ends flat with pliers so they can’t scratch hands.
Decorate the rim
Wrap twine or ribbon over the wire band to hide it, securing the end with a dot of glue or a tight knot. A bit of lace or a small tag adds a farmhouse touch. Keep anything flammable well away from the inside of the jar.
Add the light
Pour in an inch of sand or pebbles for weight, then nestle an LED tea light or coil a fairy-light string inside. If you use real tea lights, set them on the sand, never touch the glass while lit and keep the jars out of reach of kids and pets.
Tips for success
- Flameless LED lights are the safest choice for hanging lanterns, outdoor use near plants and any home with children or pets.
- Aluminum wire is softer and easier for small hands; galvanized steel wire holds its shape better for heavier, sand-filled jars.
- Test the handle by lifting the jar a few inches over a soft surface before hanging it anywhere.
- Frosted glass spray scuffs if handled too soon, so give it a full day before wrapping twine around the rim.
Make it your own
Tissue paper glow
Brush thinned decoupage medium onto the glass and layer torn tissue paper in sunset colors for a stained-glass effect.
Punched-lid lanterns
Keep the metal lid, place it on a scrap board and tap holes through it with a nail and hammer in a star pattern for scattered light.
Garden path lights
Skip the handles, fill jars with pebbles and solar-powered string lights, and line them along a walkway.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use real candles in mason jar lanterns?
Yes, with care. Use small tea lights on a layer of sand, keep them away from curtains and plants, never leave them unattended and avoid carrying a jar while the candle is lit. The glass can get hot, so LED lights are better for hanging.
Will the frosted finish survive outdoors?
It holds up under a covered porch for a season or more. In open weather it can wear over time, so add a clear sealer coat or bring the jars inside during storms.
What size jars work best?
Wide-mouth pint jars are a good all-around size. Half-pints make sweet table accents, and quart jars give a bigger glow for porches but need thicker wire.
