DIY Glam Tall Lantern | High-End Photo Frame Upcycle
Transform basic wooden photo frames and a garden planter into a stunning, lightweight designer lantern with a sophisticated gold and silver glow.
This article is adapted from a video originally published on YouTube on Apr. 5, 2026.
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After recently creating a lantern from wooden blocks and dowels, I wanted to take the concept even further by using tall photo frames to achieve a more substantial, high-end look. It is incredible how some budget-friendly items—like metal grill trays and a plastic planter—can be layered with metallic paint and shimmering trim to create a statement piece that looks like it came from a luxury boutique. Today, I’m showing you how I upcycled these household staples into a beautiful, tall lantern that features custom “window” details and a sparkling crystal finial.
📺WATCH See how a few photo frames can turn into a beautiful tall lantern here.
Materials
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4 Tall black wooden photo frames (Dollar Tree)
2 Packs of metal grill trays (silver finish)
Metallic gold acrylic paint
Gold glitter
Silver rhinestone trim (self-adhesive and non-adhesive)
Empty tin cookie container (for the base)
Silver diamond wrap
Plastic garden planter (for the dome)
Gold candle holder and glass crystal ball (for the finial)
Silver beaded necklace and silver metallic paint marker
Tools
Pliers (for removing metal tabs)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Gorilla wood glue
Strong craft scissors
Level
Paintbrushes
💡 Sandy’s Favorite Crafting Tips & Hacks
The Lightweight Decor Strategy: To ensure your large decor remains easy to move and handle, remove the heavy glass panels from photo frames. Instead, use lightweight materials like metal grill trays to create beautiful “windows” without the added weight.
The Glitter Concoction: For a much quicker and less messy application, mix your glitter and metallic paint together in a cup before painting. This provides instant coverage and texture without the “glitter explosion” of traditional sprinkling.
The Leveling Anchor: When building upright box structures, always use a level to ensure your frames are perfectly vertical. Apply small dots of hot glue to the interior seams to “expedite the curing process,” holding the pieces in place while your permanent wood glue dries.
Muting the Gold: If your gold paint turns out too bright or yellow, apply silver rhinestone trim over the seams and edges. Mixing these metals provides a beautiful color contrast that “mutes” the golden tones for a more sophisticated, high-end look.
Safe Hardware Disposal: When pulling sharp metal tabs out of wooden frames, always wrap them in a scrap of paper or tape before throwing them away to prevent accidents during garbage disposal.
Instructions
Prep the Lantern Windows: Disassemble the photo frames, removing all backings and glass panels. Use pliers to pull out the sharp metal tabs. Measure and cut the metal grill trays to fit inside the frame openings using strong craft scissors, then secure them to the back of the frames with a thick layer of hot glue.
Paint and Texture the Structure: Apply a base coat of gold metallic paint to the frames. For added character, apply a “concoction” of gold glitter mixed with paint to create a subtle, chunky texture. Once dry, apply a final coat of paint to tone down the brightness of the glitter for a high-end finish.
Assemble the Lantern Box: Use Gorilla wood glue to join the four frames into a box shape, applying the glue away from the edges to prevent oozing. Use a level to ensure each side is perfectly upright and anchor the seams with small dabs of hot glue for an instant hold while the wood glue cures overnight.
Construct the Base and Lid: Flip an empty tin container upside down and wrap the sides in silver diamond wrap. For the dome lid, paint a plastic planter with the same gold glitter-paint mix. Embellish the edges of the base and the planter rim with silver trim to hide seams and ensure a cohesive look.
Assemble the Crystal Finial: Bling out a gold candle holder with silver rhinestone trim. Use hot glue (or Fix-all for a permanent bond) to secure a glass crystal ball to the top of the candle holder, then mount the entire finial to the center of your planter dome.
Related Content & Resources
▶️ Watch Next: DIY Lanterns Playlist for More Designs
▶️ Browse the Collection: See all my High-End Lighting DIYs
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Disclaimer: I’m not a professional. All my DIY’s are for entertainment purposes.