Reality Daydream

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Unique Patio Lights… strung between birch logs!

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We had such a great response to our Patio Makeover! THANK YOU! The video we shared included a little DIY project that we threw in, and I knew we would get lots of questions about the patio lights (and we did!), so I’m dropping in here today to give out a little more details on how to make these birch log lighting!

Adding pretty patio lighting using birch logs with cement bases and strings of outdoor lights {Reality Daydream}

I’m not even sure how the idea came to me, but I know for sure I haven’t seen it done anywhere else! Here’s our supply list.

Supply List for Patio Lighting on Birch Logs

  • Two birch logs (we got ours at our local garden center)
  • 2 bags of concrete mix
  • chain saw or reciprocating saw
  • two strings of lights
  • two 5-gal buckets

 

We started out by mixing our concrete using the ratio of water to concrete that’s on the bags instructions. We ended up using 1.5  80lb bags of concrete total.

Preparing to mix concrete for our birch patio lighting! {Reality Daydream}Mixing concrete to make birch log patio lighting! {Reality Daydream}

Then it’s time to scoop it into the 5-gal buckets! Make sure that they end up having an even amount of mixture in them, and tap the sides to try and get any bubbles out.

Pouring concrete for our birch log patio lighting {Reality Daydream}

Birch logs used to hold up patio lighting! {Reality Daydream}

Press the birch logs down into the mixture, giving it a little twist to help it make it’s way to the bottom. Make sure it’s in the center too!

Birch logs stuck on a concrete base to hold up patio lights! {Reality Daydream}

You want to find something to lean these up against while the concrete sets (at least 24 hours) that will allow it to be straight up. We leaned ours against out basketball hoop! Oh! And cover the tops in plastic…

Making concrete bases for the birch logs to hold up the patio lights! {Reality Daydream}

Technically it takes longer than 24 hours to ‘cure’, but it’s pretty darn set and rock hard at 24 hours. Time to pull these suckas out of the buckets! We used a board against the rim of the bucket and hit it with a hammer, turning it a few inches after each blow. It came right off!

Birch log patio lighting {Reality Daydream}

Birch logs with concrete base for patio lighting stand! {Reality Daydream}

We stood our birch logs up next to the patio set and decided just how tall we wanted them to be (to start with they almost hit the pergola!), then marked them and sliced off the top with a chain saw.

Cut a slice in the birch log to hold the outdoor string of lights! {Reality Daydream}

The slice at the top is for the string of lights to slide down into and hold in place.

Outdoor lighting DIY... bitch logs set in cement to hold up pretty strand of outdoor lights! {Reality Daydream}

We rolled these guys over to either side of the patio set, strung up the lights, and stood back to admire!

Patio makeover by Reality Daydream!

We’re lucky enough to have an outdoor outlet nearby, but we still had to use an extension cord to illuminate the lights. So it’s not always entirely convenient. But so SO pretty/

Dreamy patio makeover with DIY lighting... outdoor lights strung up on birch logs set in cement! {Reality Daydream}

Dreamy outdoor entertaining patio makeover by Reality Daydream

Pretty right?! As far as DIY projects go, I would file this one under EASY! Anyone can do this will zero DIY experience, okay? OKAY?! Slowly step away from the computer, and go ask your neighbor if you can borrow their chainsaw! <3

Bethany

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Thanks for pinning!String your outdoor lights between to birch logs set in cement for the cutest DIY outdoor lighting for your patio! {Reality Daydream}

Comments

  1. 2

    Great idea for portable party lighting. I personally don’t like the exposed concrete look so would clad the bases in smaller birch logs/sticks.

    Reply
    • 3

      I do agree about the exposed concrete to a certain degree. I thought about putting them in large-ish pretty baskets, but just never got around to it. 😉

      Reply

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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.