These DIY Light-Up Logs Will Add Some Rustic Whimsy To Your Outdoor Space

Leftover logs may seem like a burden, but with a bit of creativity, you can find ways to use them in almost any way in your garden, such as transforming a log into the most gorgeous planter. Logs can also be used to draw attention to certain parts of your garden and light up your path at night by turning a few into standing lamps. To make a split log outdoor lamp, you'll only need a few tools. 

Specifically, you will want to make sure you have a drill, a circle saw, a chainsaw, a sander, a chisel and a mallet. If you don't have these, you can likely rent or borrow them from a local home improvement store or your library if it has a tool loan option. In addition to these tools, you will need logs, battery-powered lights that can handle outdoor weather, and a sealant for the wood, such as polyurethane.

Once you have all your tools and equipment, you're ready to start. Mark a line around the top of the log, leaving about an inch of space between it and the edge. Then you'll hollow out the log, using the drill, chisel, and mallet. You don't have to carve all the way through the log, as you don't necessarily want the light to shine through what will end up at the top of your lamp. Finally, it's time to cut slits into the wood. This is the scary part, as you need cuts big and deep enough to reach the gap you made, but you don't want to split the wood. That way, the light will shine through them, as if bursting out from the log. 

For the splits, knowing where to start with letting the light shine through can be a bit daunting. A good place to begin is to see if there are areas where the log already splits or is starting to open naturally. If so, you can start by cutting these areas a little wider and possibly deeper, so the light shines through. If you want to add more splits, you can then see where there are blank places, or where a cut might look better if it was a little wider. You can easily go up to ¾ of an inch wide on some of the cuts without too much of a problem.

You can use any small, battery-operated lights. Additionally, you can pick any kind of lighting you want, as long as you don't have to plug it into an outlet. When the full moon calls for a yellow bulb on your porch, you can enjoy a warm, inviting light. You may also consider changing it up with something bright and vibrant, or a completely fun color such as red or green. Fairy lights, the ones connected by wire, may also be a fun option, and some allow you to change colors as desired, meaning you can adjust your logs for every holiday or outdoor party theme. Pair it with a shower curtain to unexpectedly spruce up your garden, and it will feel like an entirely different yard.