15 Genius Ways to Reuse Old Mason Jars Instead of Tossing Them
It's time to think beyond canning jams.
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Chances are, you have some old mason jars collecting dust in the back of a cabinet. Rather than letting them take up much-needed space in your home, there are tons of fun ways to reuse old mason jars.
While mason jars are no-brainers for creating chic wedding centerpieces or canning jams, they have so much more potential. With a little creativity, you can transform them into unique decor—think everything from colorful vases to hanging lights for your outdoor space. Want to get more organized? Use them to corral pencils and bathroom essentials like cotton balls, bath bombs, and bath salts. If you're looking for some unexpected uses, try your hand at a sewing pincushion or a gift-worthy block printing kit for the creative in life. They're even great for baking pies or packing salad ingredients. The upcycling ideas are endless!
Keep scrolling for our favorite mason jar crafts for DIY lovers. And while you're at it, check out smart ways to repurpose worn pillowcases and old furniture.
Hanging Lights
Lighting never fails to transform an outdoor space. You can easily recreate this DIY with some basic wire or any wire hangers you have lying around from your last dry cleaners run.
Herb Garden
It's always a good idea to have fresh herbs on hand, as they're useful for adding flavor to everything from marinades to salads. Keep your favorite herbs within reach by growing them in old mason jars. Dinah from DIY Inspired even added adorable chalkboard labels.
See more at DIY Inspired»
RELATED: Your Complete Guide to Herbs
Pencil Holder
Here's a fun way to give all of your pencils (or any other small school supplies) a dedicated spot. All it takes are scraps of paper and pretty ribbon to pull off this playful look.
Terrarium
If you're far from a green thumb, succulents are the way to go. Display an assortment in an old mason jar to spruce up a shelf or gift to a loved one.
Bathroom Organizers
There's no reason not to store things like bath bombs, essential oils, and cotton balls in a stylish way. Blogger Crystal placed all of her go-to products in mason jars and took the look up a notch with faux gemstone lids.
See more at A Pumpkin and a Princess»
RELATED: 15 Small Bathroom Storage Ideas That Actually Create More Space
Block Printing Kit
Perfect for the artist in your life, this kit is filled with everything they'll need for block printing. Fill the mason jar with a brayer, carving tools, ink, you name it.
RELATED: 20 Best Gifts for Crafters Who Take Their Hobbies Seriously
Air Freshener
Whether your car or closet could use a fragrance boost, this gel air freshener can get the job done. For this DIY, you'll need to add an essential or fragrance oil to water-storing crystals. The best part is you can control the intensity of the fragrance.
See more at Dream a Little Bigger»
Sewing Pincushion
Bev of Flamingo Toes turned an old mason jar into a sewing pincushion to keep her essentials—thread, measuring tape, and small scissors—in one place. To stay on theme, she even finished the look with an embroidered sleeve.
Gingham Lanterns
Illuminate your space with these pretty lanterns, which call for glueing strips of gingham tissue paper around your jars. If gingham is not your style, though, feel free to use any other graphic pattern.
Holiday Vases
Go the DIY route this holiday season. After decking mason jars out in chalk paint, fill them with any festive winter foliage of your choice. For more visual appeal, blogger Haeley added a few small branches to the front of the jars, too.
Blueberry Pies
If you love to bake pies, ditch the same 'ol dish and go for small mason jars instead. These mini pies are guaranteed to be a hit, especially if you love entertaining.
Aquarium With Toy Fish
Delight any kid with these mason jar aquariums filled with toy fish, plants, and rocks. Don't forget to add the blue food coloring to the water for a realistic look!
See more at Hello Wonderful»
Denim Painted Vases
Some simple denim paint can give your old mason jars an entirely new look. To amp up this eye-catching design, blogger Kimberly even placed a few in a window display box. It's the perfect piece of decor to add a little pizzazz to a coffee table.
Bathroom Vanity Lights
If you're ready to give up the builder-grade light fixtures in your bathroom, take a cue from Lauren of Bless'er House. For a vintage-inspired flair, she covered her fixtures with oil rubbed bronze spray paint and used Edison bulbs to make a statement.
Simple Salad
Whether you're always on the move or simply want to eat more healthy lunches, you can't go wrong packing salad ingredients into mason jars.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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