Save Your Mason Jar Lids For A Custom DIY Coaster That Keeps Furniture Protected

If you've broken a few Mason jars or used a bunch of them for a craft project, there's a good chance you have a few jar-less lids lying around the house. However, while the jars tend to get all the glory, Mason jar lids are just as useful for DIY projects. Case in point: You can use them to create fun, rimmed coasters. 

Technically speaking, turning Mason jars into rimmed coasters can be as simple as turning them upside down and popping a beverage into them. That said, you can also do a ton to jazz them up. That's not to say it'll take a lot of effort, though — all you'll need to do to make basic lids look like professional coasters is pop some cork sheets into them, then decorate however you see fit. 

You could print up stickers with the help of a Cricut machine ($179 for the Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl bundle from the brand's website), add sweet designs with a stamp, or draw directly onto the cork sheet if you prefer. You could also add detail to the outside of the jar. This is one project you can really make your own.

First thing's first: Source your cork. If you have some leftover from prior crafts, now's your chance to use it. Alternatively, if you're going to need to buy new cork, you have a few options: 3-millimeter-thick cork sheets ($19.99 for a 60-inch roll on Amazon) work for any size lid. Alternatively, if you don't tend to use cork often and would prefer to minimize waste and clutter, you could also order a 10-pack of self-adhesive round cork coasters from Amazon for around $8. If you need to cut anything to size, a craft knife will do, as will most scissors. 

Once you've got your cork and it fits snugly within the underside of a jar's lid, you can glue it in. Naturally, with a self-adhesive option, that won't be necessary. However, if you're using regular cork sheets, a hot glue gun or even super glue will do the job. 

From there, you've reached the final step. If you're using a Cricut machine, like YouTuber Amanda Davis, create your own designs and print them onto heat transfer vinyl and use the iron you'd usually use to set them in. The design can be anything, from pictures, to sayings, to names. No Cricut? No problem. Order a customizable stamp from Amazon for around $10, instead. Even easier, use a Sharpie to draw your design or phrases straight onto the cork.

Depending on the look you're trying to achieve, you may also want to customize the lid itself. Once again, there's more than one way of doing this. The only thing you'll want to keep in mind is that this should be done before gluing in the cork portion. 

Amazon stocks Krylon spray paint in a variety of colors from around $7, so you could easily create a set in your favorite color. If, however, you have a bunch of leftover paint in your craft box, or are willing to spend a little more, you could also do each coaster in its own color — a perfect option if you were thinking of creating coasters for each member of your household. If you opt to do that in each person's favorite color, it's definitely a great way to remind them to use their coasters. Alternatively, if you're creating a bunch of coasters and simply prefer a more colorful look, you could also use another color to paint on polka dots or other patterns.  

Not a fan of the painted look? Not a problem. We think straight-up, unpainted lids can make for coasters with rustic charm. Whatever the case, they're a chic way to protect your furniture.