Approximately 480 pounds of glass go to waste annually by the average household. No matter how little you are keeping in your fridge, you still likely have a bunch of sauces, beverages, and condiments. The question is, what to do with these jars? It’s a good thing there are so many creative ways to reuse them.
When we have extra glass jars and bottles lying around, we often use them to store nuts and seeds, leftover baked beans, or leftover food from dinner. Yet, what if you didn’t need another jar in the first place? What if you don’t have enough cupboard space? That’s why we have brought a solution for you.
In this article, we have listed 4 ideas for reusing glass bottles and jars for decorating your home.
4 DIY ideas to reuse empty glass bottles and jars
1. Painted glass bottles
These decor items made from glass bottles look modern, are easy to make, and decorate.
Requirements-
- Clear tape
- A wine bottle or any other glass bottle
- Pearl acrylic colors
- Small sponge
- Wool/thread
Procedure-
- Once you have everything, you can choose a glass bottle. The bottle can either be a wine bottle or a mason jar, or some other type of glass bottle you like.
- Wrap your bottle with clear tape, ensuring that each strip is evenly spaced.
- Continue adding strips until there is a gap of two fingers between the last strip and the bottle’s neck (the area where the lip tapers). In the case of narrow-mouthed wine bottles, leave a gap of between three and four fingers.
- Now, pour a little amount of acrylic paint into a small dish.
- Dip the sponge gently in paint and do not press it. Use the sponge to dab the uncovered portion of the bottle’s surface.
- Dabbing safely is best done by rotating the bottle as you hold it from its mouth. It might get messy, so wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty. Be creative and paint the bottle however you like. You can mix the paint if you wish. Once the paint has dried, remove the strips.
- Taking the woolen thread, attach one end of it just above the last strip on the bottle body. Put a dab of hot glue on the free end of the bottle and wrap the remaining portion. Ta-da! Your home decor glass bottle is ready to put on a shelf, dining table, or any other place.
2. Glass jar lamp
This will give you utter satisfaction on completion as it is extremely easy to make and looks mesmerizing.
Requirements-
- A hot glue gun
- Transparent Pearls (flat on one side)
- A scented candle
- Mason jar
Procedure-
- Mason jars with a wide mouth are best for this project. Using tissue paper, clean your mason jar, making sure there is no dust on the surface.
- Glue a small dot of glue on the center of the pearls with your hot glue gun.
- Start from the bottom of the jar and adhere to the pearls. The jar should rest steadily on a flat surface with adequate room under the pearls.
- Paste pearls around the jar in a clockwise direction.
- Put a scented candle in the space and dine by candlelight with your loved one while enjoying the light beam being reflected by the pearls.
3. Glass artificial aquarium
It is worth all the effort and time to make this glass jar craft. Your home decor will look spectacular with the final result.
Requirements-
- Big mason jar
- A handful of sea sand
- Marbles
- Small sea rocks
- Seashells
- Hot glue gun
- 2 tiny plastic fish
- Thread
Procedure-
- Take a big mason glass jar. Make sure the glass is perfectly transparent by cleaning the mason jar thoroughly with water. An essential part of this glass bottle decoration idea is to see inside the glass bottle in full transparency.
- Now put sea sand followed by the marbles, sea rocks, and seashells.
- Make sure the sand is holding everything in place by tapping the jar.
- Now, carefully fill the jar with water up to just below the neck. Don’t forget to fill the water to the appropriate level since the fish will be dipped in it.
- To give it a little sparkle, you can add some glitter now. Avoid overcrowding your marbles, rocks, and seashells.
- Invert the jar lid now. Use hot-glue to attach two threads to the underside of the lid.
- Assemble the fishes now and gently close the jar after dipping them in the water. An aquarium is now ready. Sit back and enjoy it while you study.
4. Glass photo frame
Not a fan of wooden frames? Need a gift idea that stands out? Here’s a DIY glass photo frame. Despite its simplicity, it has a rustic charm.
Requirements-
- Tiny sea rocks
- Glass bottle
- Marbles
- A paper copy of a photo
- A cork
Procedure-
- You should begin by thoroughly cleaning the bottle from the inside as well as outside. It’s all about how the bottle looks through the glass, so choose it wisely.
- Add in your sea rocks and the marbles.
- Drop the photo carefully into the bottle, rolling it as you go, allowing it to unfold.
- Put the picture in place with the help of a fine paintbrush.
- Placing the cork and sealing your memory will finish the process.
- Cork can also be decorated with items such as door handles or brioches.
Conclusion
With glass spirit bottles and jars being a staple in the lives of most people, you can make stylish home decors from them, saving some money and adding a new dimension to your home. Remember that your creativity is the only limit to your glass bottle craft. With a few bottles, you can literally make anything you like. So, have fun and explore your imagination.