How to Refinish an Old Lantern: Quick & Easy Upcycle Idea
Have an old lantern gathering dust in the shed, garage, or back of a cupboard? Before you throw it away, why not give it a fresh new look?
Learning how to refinish an old lantern is a quick, affordable way to turn something tired and forgotten into a beautiful decorative piece for your home.
Whether you’ve found a rusty metal lantern at a second-hand shop or have an outdated one that no longer matches your décor, this easy lantern upcycle project is perfect for beginners. With a little cleaning, some paint, and a few simple finishing touches, you can completely transform it without spending a fortune.
In this post, we’ll share the basic steps to restore an old lantern, along with painting tips, creative variations, and ideas for displaying your finished project.
Why You’ll Love This Thrift Store Lantern Makeover
- Budget-friendly makeover: Refinishing an old lantern is an inexpensive DIY home décor project. You may already have most of the supplies, including sandpaper, leftover paint, and a paintbrush.
- Easy for beginners: You don’t need specialist tools or advanced DIY skills. This simple lantern makeover is a great introduction to upcycling furniture and home accessories.
- Give old items a second life: Instead of throwing away a rusty or outdated lantern, you can reuse it and reduce waste. It’s a lovely example of sustainable home decorating.
- Customisable to your style: Choose farmhouse white, matte black, vintage bronze, or a cheerful colour to complement your existing décor.
- Perfect for gifts or seasonal decorating: A refinished lantern makes a thoughtful handmade gift or a charming addition to Christmas, autumn, or everyday home displays.
Join our crafting community to find more DIYs and upcycled craft ideas. It feels good to repurpose and upcycle!
Materials Needed
- Thrifted metal lantern, any size,
- Rustoleum Spray Paint in Black
- Cloth, water and cleaner
How to Refinish an Old Lantern
Preparing the Thrifted Metal Lantern
Scrub off grease, dust using warm soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Our $2 thrifted lantern was incredibly dirty, it was no wonder someone else hadn’t picked it up at that price!
If necessary, lightly sand rusty spots with medium-grit sandpaper (or steel wool) to smooth them out.
Carefully remove the glass inserts from the lantern and put aside. And if the glass panels aren’t removable, tape them off using blue painter’s tape and cut-to-size paper.
Painting the Lantern
Following the instructions on the paint can, apply a coat of paint to the surface of the lantern. Repeat until desired coverage is achieved. Leave the lantern to dry fully before inserting the clean glass panels.
Leave empty or style with seasonal decor such as pumpkins, pinecones, etc.
Refinishing an old metal lantern is fairly straightforward, but a little preparation makes all the difference. These tips will help you achieve a smooth, attractive finish that lasts.
Choosing the Best Paint for an Old Metal Lantern
- High-Adhesion All-in-One Spray Paints: If your thrifted lantern has detailed wirework, slats, or vents, spray paint gives you even coverage without brush strokes.
- Chalk Paint: Chalk paint sticks to raw metal or existing finishes with minimal sanding. It dries to a matte finish that is easily distressed using sandpaper around edges.
Refinishing the Lantern to Match your Home
One of the easiest ways to transform an outdated lantern is by changing its colour. Here are a few popular finishes to consider:
- Matte black: Perfect for modern, industrial, and minimalist interiors.
- Chalky white: Creates a soft farmhouse-style lantern that looks lovely on a mantelpiece or wooden shelf.
- Antique bronze: Gives an old lantern a traditional, vintage-inspired appearance.
- Sage green: A beautiful choice for rustic cottages, country kitchens, and garden-inspired décor.
- Metallic gold or copper: Adds a touch of elegance to festive displays and special occasions.
How to Display Your DIY UPCYCLED LANTERN
A freshly painted lantern is surprisingly versatile. Whether you prefer rustic farmhouse interiors or modern home accessories, there are plenty of ways to show off your finished upcycling project.
Create a Cosy Farmhouse Table Centrepiece
Place your refinished lantern in the middle of a dining table or on a wooden tray alongside small potted plants, greenery, and decorative accessories.
A white or sage green lantern works particularly well with natural materials such as wood, linen, and wicker.
Style a Fireplace or Hallway Display
An upcycled lantern can become a beautiful focal point on a fireplace hearth, console table, or hallway shelf.
For a balanced arrangement, pair a larger lantern with a smaller one, then add a vase of flowers, a stack of books, or a decorative basket.
Make a Seasonal Lantern
One of the loveliest things about refinishing an old lantern is how easily it can be adapted for different seasons.
For autumn, fill a decorative lantern with miniature artificial pumpkins, pinecones, or colourful faux leaves.
At Christmas, add battery-operated fairy lights, artificial greenery, and a few small baubles.
During spring and summer, swap these for faux flowers, pastel decorations, or small decorative stones.
Give Your Old Lantern a New Lease of Life
Learning how to refinish an old lantern is a simple way to refresh your home décor without buying something new. With a little preparation, a fresh coat of paint, and a few creative finishing touches, even a tired, rusty lantern can become a lovely decorative accessory.
Whether you’re creating a distressed farmhouse lantern, a modern black centrepiece, or a seasonal display, this quick and easy upcycle idea proves that beautiful home décor doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
So before you throw away that old lantern, give it a makeover. You might be surprised by how lovely it looks with a little care and creativity!
More Budget-Friendly Thrift Store Makeovers
If you love turning hidden thrift store finds into beautiful home decor, don’t stop here! Be sure to explore our other DIY thrift store makeover tutorials for more easy paint transformations, upcycled accent pieces, and budget-friendly decorating ideas.
- Refreshing Outdoor Decor with Spray Paint
- Refresh an Old Door Mat
- Stenciled Thrift Store Step Stool Makeover
- Nautical Table Lamp Makeover
- Picture Frame Makeover
- Brass Lamp Makeover with a Burlap Lampshade
Want to receive a ton of inspiration and money saving ideas for decorating, gift-giving and crafting? Join HERE!
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How to Refinish an Old Lantern: Quick & Easy Upcycle Idea
Materials
- Thrifted metal lantern any size
- Rustoleum Spray Paint in Black
- Cloth water and cleaner
Instructions
- Carefully remove the glass inserts from the lantern and put aside.
- Using a damp cloth and soap, clean the surfaces of the lantern to remove any dirt and debris. Separately, clean the glass panels carefully.
- Following the instructions on the paint can, apply a coat of paint to the surface of the lantern. Repeat until desired coverage is achieved. Leave the lantern to dry fully before inserting the clean glass panels.
