Have you ever wanted the cozy glow of a gas-style wall lantern on your front porch but without the cost or wiring? I did, so I created an easy, budget-friendly DIY porch lantern that gives a warm, flickering candle effect without electricity or real gas. It’s perfect for fall and winter, and you can decorate it for each season.
If you follow my posts, you may remember the wall lantern we used at our previous house — we brought it with us and still love decorating it. Recently I started using a new battery-operated flickering candle and realized it makes a convincing, safe dupe for those classic gas lanterns. Placed in a tall lantern and surrounded by seasonal greenery, the bulb-style flicker creates the same inviting mood without open flame.
In the past I’ve used standard battery-operated candles in the lantern, but these new-style bulbs with a flickering effect are my favorite. They look more like a real outdoor sconce candle and they inspired this whole idea: decorate a lantern for the season and place the bulb inside for safe, realistic candlelight any evening.
This method gives you the look of a flickering gas lantern with none of the risks of an open flame. You can style the lantern for holidays or seasons and still enjoy a convincing glow without worry.
Of course, if you prefer a simpler approach, just place the candle inside the lantern and leave it undecorated. It still looks lovely.
Instructions
- Choose and hang a tall wall lantern. Any lantern that fits under a covered porch will work. My lantern is designed to mount on a wall, but a freestanding lantern hung from a lantern hook or set on a bench or table will do just fine. Make sure the lantern is tall enough to accommodate the bulb and any decorations you plan to add.
- Decorate the inside of the lantern around the candle. Use preserved moss, evergreen clippings, eucalyptus, small seasonal ornaments, or leave it simple. For winter or Christmas displays, evergreen boughs and a few decorative accents look beautiful. Keep decorations non-flammable since the candle is battery operated and looks realistic but doesn’t produce real heat.
- Set the candle to an automatic dusk setting before placing it inside. I recommend using a bulb-style flickering candle with a dusk-to-dawn feature so it turns on each evening. Position the candle centrally so the light disperses through the lantern panes and highlights your seasonal styling.
Ta da! Instant curb appeal and a cozy porch glow.
More styling ideas
See how I styled this lantern for other seasons: A seasonal display lantern can be changed easily and loved year-round. Use natural elements, ribbons, or simple metallic accents depending on the occasion.
Another easy lighting trick: You can also light up a dark corner with a wall sconce without wiring by using a similar battery-operated bulb or candle—an excellent solution where wiring isn’t practical.