If you’re like us, then you appreciate the beauty of glass bottles and jars and you don’t like to see them get tossed in the trash after one use. What to do with those glass bottles and jars that are taking up valuable cabinet space? Reuse them! There are plenty of ways to make use of these items once they’ve been emptied of their liquid contents, like these 10 inventive examples to get you started.
1) Jar Candles
Most regular jars can be used for candle-making, but for a classic look, choose clear glass. You’ll need wax chips or paraffin pellets, which are available at craft stores; a wick; and jar candles scented with essential oils. Place 1 cup of melted wax into a microwave-safe bowl, then stir in 3 tablespoons of fragrance oil. If you’re using wax chips or pellets, skip that step—just melt your container’s content instead of starting from scratch. The heat will release its scent. Pour it into your jar and let it cool completely before adding a wick. Trim it so it’s just longer than an inch above the top of your jar, then light away!
2) Light Shade
Bottle lighting is a growing trend in home decor. You can reuse old bottles or buy ones specifically designed for light shades. The bottle will look like a regular lamp shade, but it will provide ambient lighting instead of direct light. This works especially well with tall, skinny bottles that are hard to fit into standard lamps. The best part about using glass as your lamp shade is that you can use any color of paint you want! Go crazy with bright colors, patterns, or designs—the possibilities are endless!
3) Sun Catcher
This can be made from colored glass bottles and used to beautify any part of your home. Attach a string through a hole in one of the caps, then hang by your garden or from a tree branch. If you’re feeling really creative, make several of these as gifts for family members or friends, who will appreciate their uniqueness.
4) Mini Terrariums
One of our favorite ways to reuse glass jars is by turning them into mini terrariums. There are plenty of creative terrarium tutorials online, but all you really need are a few simple items: a clear jar, soil, rocks, and moss. A little bit of hot glue can help you secure items inside your bottle if needed! Once you’re done creating your tiny garden, plant a small succulent or cactus in it and voila! You have yourself an adorable mini succulent garden that’s perfect for any room.
5) Use them as Jewelry Displays
Not only are glass bottles great for storing your prettiest pieces, but they can double as a pretty jewelry display. Consider showcasing an assortment of items on a mirrored tray that’s propped up by no more than three or four of your favorite necklaces hanging from bottomless bottles. It’s a chic way to keep things organized without adding too much clutter to your dresser top.
6) Party Favors
Use large glass bottles or jars as party favors for your next birthday, graduation, or other special occasion. Fill with mini toys, candy bars, sized bottles of booze, or small stuffed animals. Attach a decorative piece of cardstock cut in either an oval or rectangular shape with a hole in it on top of the lid. Punch two holes and thread with a coordinating ribbon. Voilà! A beautiful decoration that’s also useful—and you can reuse afterward!
7) Cleaner Bags
The next time you’re trying to lug groceries home, grab a glass bottle or jar, rinse it out, let it dry completely (and then store it somewhere handy), and you’ll have an easy way to keep things fresh. If you’re picking up takeout food on your way home from work or school, throw in a few mint leaves; by lunchtime they’ll be crushed into a refreshing spearmint slush that will give your stomach something extra to enjoy. And if there isn’t anything in particular that needs storing? That’s fine—there are plenty of more creative ways for recycling jars (or bottles).
8) Glitter Potpourri Jar
Glitter is cool on its own, but it becomes even cooler when you create your own DIY glitter potpourri jar. Use one of those jars you bought for canning (like a big wide-mouth mason jar) and fill it with some sand or uncooked rice. Next, just add in a bunch of different shades of glitter – from copper glitter to green glitter – until you have your desired look. Finally, seal up your jar and shake it every once in a while so that all of your colors mix together. The result? If you want to take things up a notch, try adding dried rose petals or lavender along with the rice and glitter.
9) Flower Pot
If you have a green thumb but little space for flower-growing, try growing a few plants in glass bottles. The clear bottles let you watch your garden grow from all angles, so even if you’re short on light, water or sun, these mini greenhouses should be able to give your plants a fighting chance. Best of all? You can hang them from string lights or store them in window sills so that they’re easily accessible when you need something fresh for home decor or dinner. What better way is there to reuse glass bottles?
10) Hand Soap Dispenser
Since you have lots of bottles in your home, why not recycle one into a cute, soap dispenser for your kitchen sink? Fill it with all-natural liquid hand soap. You could also use spray bottles as dispensers if you want a larger amount at once. Be sure to label what’s inside so that guests know how to use them properly. A fun way to reuse those empty glass containers!