14 Ways To Upcycle Glass Jars For A Stylish And Functional Bathroom

Did you know that glass can be reprocessed an infinite number of times? Since this helps the processing companies save on raw materials and energy, glass recycling is highly encouraged. However, it might cost the planet dearly if the recyclables don't see the inside of a processing plant. So, instead of dumping them out, repurpose jars for clever storage in every room of your house, including the bathroom.

The jar's original contents don't matter as long as they're in good condition. Peanut butter and pasta sauce jars are as welcome as candle holders and toiletry containers. But, before you transform them into stylish storage solutions, ensure they're thoroughly cleaned. You also want to get rid of the pesky labels. So, use alcohol or nail polish remover to take the stickers of the glass items. Once the jars look good as new, wipe them dry with a microfiber cloth and they're ready to be repurposed in your bathroom. Need a little nudge in the right direction? Here are 14 ways to upcycle glass jars for a stylish and functional space.

Don't chuck out your glass candle holders once there's no wax left. Remove leftover candle wax from jars with a simple vinegar trick and repurpose the jars in your bathroom instead. An optional step is to scrub off the label in case you'd like to mask the jar's origins or the label isn't pretty. Once the glass containers are dry, use them to organize your makeup brushes, Q-tips, cotton balls, and the like. Store the jars as is or tighten the lids back wherever possible to keep the items inside dust-free.

If you're not a fan of the basic glass jars and want something unique to grace your bathroom counters, give them a glow-up. All you need to do is remove the pesky labels and spray paint the lids. Take it a step further and add pretty knobs on top to make the containers look elegant. You're free to buy fresh knobs, but you don't necessarily have to since they don't need to match. In fact, mismatched knobs will add visual interest. So, break out the old ones nestled at the back of your garage drawers and let them shine.

Why spend money on high-end bath jars when your old candle containers are perfect for the job? Simply assemble a wooden base by combining a knob and a flat surface with heavy-duty glue. You'll also need paint to make your DIY apothecary jars tell a story. For instance, regular paint will do for a modern appearance or you could use crackle paint to achieve a distressed look. However, if this seems like too much work, simply glue the bases to inexpensive candleholders, like the $1.25 taper option from Dollar Tree, to create an enviable bath jar.

Another easy way to transform your plain candle or candy glass jars is to use multi-surface paint. To illustrate, the DIY-er in the video dips Q-tips in varied paint colors to draw tiny polka dots all over the jar's surface. While an easy and quick DIY, you don't have to stick to this particular design. For instance, you could pick a taller (or shorter) canister based on your needs and draw elaborate designs on the jar using a water-based permanent marker or acrylic paint pen prior to coloring them in. Besides offering your glass jars a distinct look, this DIY gives you a chance to seamlessly match your bathroom's design theme.

Are you looking for a trendy way to bring a summery, coastal look into your home? You just need a fancy glass jar (think a pickle jar preferably sans the ridges at the top) and coastal objects, like seashells or crystals, to ensure your bathroom looks the part. Use clear glue dots or epoxy glue to attach the item to the middle of the lid. You could even create your own coastal scenery using decorative accessories, such as a couple of shells, tiny boats, and miniature lighthouses. 

You're not alone if you're tempted to use candles in your bathroom to make it feel like your personal slice of heaven. So, bring out your old glass jars and take cues from the Instagrammer. You'll need polymer clay to bring the designs to life before baking the jar(s) once you're done. Then, enjoy a stunning tea light holder that you can supervise while you take a refreshing shower or laze in the tub. If you avoid burning candles in the bathroom for safety reasons, you can use battery-operated tea lights instead.

In case you're daunted by the idea of using polymer clay or don't want to draw out its curing process, use decorative paper napkins or tissue paper that you have on hand to say hello to an adorable candle holder. Pick a color or pattern that goes with your bathroom decor for a subtle candle holder or draw attention with a bold design. Remember to keep a bottle of Mod Podge handy and make sure to apply an even coating of protection when you're done. Additionally, let the decorative layer dry completely before using the jar.

Want a cheeky or cute decor item to upgrade your bathroom's style quotient? Grab a can of chalk paint in your preferred shade to let your sauce, coffee, or jelly glass container serve as the ideal base. Now, for the fun part: adding letters or design to the jar. You have a few options here. You could buy vinyl letter stickers to spell out what you want or opt for a customized label so the jars match your space and look professionally-designed. 

In case you don't have the time or patience to apply chalk paint to your old glass jars prior to sticking the vinyl letters, just use the decal stickers to store your bath products in style. Come up with funny puns, employ cheeky word-play, or stay simple — the choice is yours. Just ensure the letters are attractive and the jar is free of any labels before applying them. Additionally, choose a letter color and style that would be readable even after you decant your bath products in the jar.

A budget-friendly idea to make your bathroom feel like a luxury oasis is to decorate it with plants. But if you aren't ready to dive off the deep end just yet, spray paint your old glass jars to turn them into beautiful vases for cut flowers or faux foliage. Experiment with different types of finishes, like stone-effect, frosted, tinted, metallic, sea glass, and chalk-painted, for a vase that suits your room's aesthetic. You just have to do your homework and pick a spray paint that would adhere well to the smooth glass surface.

You don't have to settle for ordinary soap dispensers at your sink when you can reuse your old mason jars to DIY boutique hotel-esque ones. All you have to do is transfer the soap, shampoo, conditioner, or lotion into a jar and replace its cap with a pump lid. You could buy a two-pack set of Amolliar's stainless steel pump lids from Amazon for about $10. However, before you order them, measure the mouth of the jar and make sure the lids will fit it snugly. Then, decorate the jar with cute labels, twine, and pearls for a luxurious look.

A clever way to reuse an old glass jar around the house is to turn it into a mouthwash holder. But you don't want to just replace the plastic bottle with an ordinary jar since it won't be much of an upgrade. Instead, opt for a uniquely-shaped jar or one with ornate details. In case you don't have either, use paint or vinyl decals to personalize your mouthwash holder. Additionally, you want a jar with a narrow mouth, so you can easily pour the mouthwash for daily use without worrying about spillage.

Need a pretty and functional storage canister for your bathroom? Instead of spending money on decorative containers, DIY one using wooden dowels, twine, and a spice or salsa jar. Decide if you want to conceal the jar entirely or just prettify it and cut the dowels to size with a pair of sharp scissors. You'll also need a hot glue gun to secure each dowel into position. Wrap twine around the ridges of the mouth if you don't intend to use the lid. Otherwise, fashion a tiny bow with the twine and stick it on top of the lid.

Not a big fan of cardboard tissue holders gracing your bathroom countertops? DIY glass jars into chic tissue dispensers to add a hint of elegance to your home. Simply open up your tissue box, pull out a few sheets, and fold them a few times before inserting them in an old glass jar. The quantity of tissues and number of folds will depend on the recycled jar's diameter, so keep this in mind since you don't want to overstuff it. Forgo the lid and decorate the ridges with ribbon or pretty string. If you'd like to hide the tissues, one or two coats of spray paint will work wonders.