It almost feels wrong to chuck a beautiful old wine bottle into the recycling bin. We’re here to tell you: You don’t have to.
From using them in the garden to diving into a fun DIY project to transforming them into beautiful home decor pieces, these glass vessels have much life left in them. Let our list of surprisingly chic ways to upcycle spent wine bottles inspire you.
Bud vase
Whether you go for fresh greenery or dried florals, wine bottles make for the prettiest bud vases. Add a few stems to the bottle, playing with different heights and textures to create a pretty arrangement. A velvet bow around the neck lends a pretty touch, and you can also group bottles of varying shapes and colours.
Make your own candle
If there's a label you particularly love and can't bear to throw in the bin, use at is another form of decor by turning into your very own personalised candle.
Our very own Head of Audience Lydia Eleftheriou here at GH headquarters made her own. To do so she wrapped a piece of string soaked in alcohol around the bottle and lit it to heat the glass along the line where I wanted to cut it. 'Don't worry it's less dangerous than it sounds!', says Lydia. Once it's hot enough (you'll be able to tell because the string will start burning completely) dip the bottle into ice cold water filled with ice cubes. The sudden temperature change should cause the glass to crack and separate. Then Lydia sanded it with sand paper to smooth out the edges, she does warn this took a while but should eventually give way. Then finally she used a DIY candle kits from Amazon, melted the wax and poured it into the bottle, and hey presto! You're very own one of a kind candle. Just be sure to wear protective eyewear and gloves throughout the process and do the high-risk burning and cooling process outdoors.
Slow-release waterer
Slow-release plant waterers work by gradually delivering water into the soil, and you can absolutely repurpose an empty wine bottle to create one versus buying something pre-made.
Make sure the bottle’s rinsed well, fill it with water, and then add a terracotta watering spike over the opening. Flip it upside down and press the neck about six inches into the soil near the base of the plant. It’ll release water slowly over the next three to seven days.
Candlesticks
Wine bottle mouths happen to be the perfect size for a tapered candle. Simply place the candle into the opening, making sure it fits snugly and stands upright. For an extra charming touch, let the wax drip down the sides of the bottle for a romantic, vintage-inspired look.
Mosaic projects
Colourful wine bottle glass can be repurposed into mosaic projects, including trivets, picture frames, wall art, and garden stepping stones or pots. Place the glass inside a sturdy bag, wear safety goggles, and then smash gently with a hammer. Use gloves to remove the shards.
Arrange the pieces on your chosen surface, securing with a mosaic adhesive. After it’s dried, spread grout between the pieces and wipe away excess with a damp sponge. File down any sharp edges while wearing gloves and eye protection.
Fairy light lantern
Add fairy lights to a wine bottle to create a lantern that offers a soft, cozy glow. Make sure the on/off switch is accessible, and group multiple bottles together for extra light. They can make a statement on a coffee table, in a windowsill, or even a bathroom shelf.
