Whether you're decking our your new digs or looking to update an older space, changing out the lighting can make a big difference! Rather than hitting up IKEA for a big box lighting solution, why not get your DIY on and replace your old lights with something snazzy and upcycled? Here are a few DIY lighting projects to get that creative energy going!

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by septuagesima

1. Solar Soda Bottle Lights

This is a good solution for a shed or garage, where there's no attic between the ceiling and the roof. The video above shows you how to install discarded two liter soda bottles through the roof, using sunlight to turn bottles full of water into lights that give as much light as a 50 watt incandescent. The only thing I'd do to green this project up a bit more is make sure to use non-chlorine bleach.

h/t: Hack a Day

2. Colander Lantern

Thrift stores and yard sale are great places to hunt for second hand, metal colanders for your fancy hanging light fixture. To create the lantern, just hit your local home improvement store for a light kit, drill a hole in the bottom of the colander to fit the fixture through, and wire things up! You don't want to do this project with a plastic colander, because the heat from the light can melt the plastic. Metal only! I love how the pattern of holes on the colander gives the light a bit of interest!

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by sondyaustin

3. Plastic Bottle Lights

Grab some LED Christmas lights and start collecting those plastic empties! I love the festive colored bottles in this light strand, but you could also go for uniform colors, if you prefer. Just use a drill bit to make a hole that's just wide enough to fit the bottle over the light. It's better to start too small and size up gradually. Once you find the right sized bit, drill holes in the tops of your cleaned out bottles, fit them on, and you're ready to hang!

Have you guys crafted up any creative lighting solutions? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by septuagesima