12 Creative & Functional Ways To Repurpose Ginger Jars Around Your Home

Ginger jars are versatile porcelain beauties that can add an elegant touch to wherever they're placed. Originally from China, they were used to store — you guessed it — ginger, and other types of spices but have since evolved into decorative pieces due to their beautiful and unique designs. Ginger jars can, of course, still be used for spices, but there are other creative and functional ways to repurpose them around your home, like as flower vases, decor pieces for your shelf, storage jars for your desk, table centerpieces, and more.

Ginger jars can be found in home furniture stores but also in thrift stores or websites like eBay and Etsy, where you can discover authentic and vintage options. Two of the best things about ginger jars are their designs and their sizes. Because they offer so many different options, you can find exactly what you need for a specific purpose. For instance, the big ones are great to display flowers on a shelf while the tiny ones will be perfect as table spice containers. In terms of colors and patterns, the most common style is blue and white but there are others. You can also find Imari ginger jars that are in shades of red, black, and gold, famille verte jars, which are more green, famille noire jars that lean more black and white with colored florals, and famille rose jars, which are more of a white base with colored florals as well.

One creative way to repurpose ginger jars around your home is to use them as decor pieces. They can beautify your fireplace mantel, kitchen counter or island, bookshelf, bar cart, or your bedroom dresser. While you can use just one, you can also enhance the style effect by combining a couple. Based on the space available, choose about three to five ginger jars of different sizes. You can choose jars of the same design for a unified look, or mix up the designs, while maintaining the same color, for a bit more visual interest.

The original purpose of ginger jars was to store herbs and spices, but you can use them for other dried ingredients, like flour, sugar, etc., to visually enhance your pantry or counter. They can also work in a coffee nook to hold coffee beans, tea, powdered milk, and anything else you need there. Another idea is to use them for snacks like candy or dried fruit, which can be left on the kitchen island or even on the living room table. Their lids will ensure your dried ingredients remain fresh for a while.

Ginger jars can decorate your bathroom while being a good place to store things, like cotton balls, brushes, and beauty products. Keep them on the sink, storage shelf, behind the toilet, or on the corner surface of the bathtub to add a nice touch. Small, slim jars can even be used as toothbrush holders, although you might need to glue them down to avoid knocking them over. When using ginger jars in the bathroom, or anywhere really, it's important to clean them regularly, so use gentle soap and water to preserve the porcelain.

Ginger jars can be a beautiful way to display your flower arrangements, whether fresh or dry, real or faux. Just make you trim them to fit the size of your jar so they look proportionate. You can keep these flower jars virtually anywhere, like on the kitchen island or fireplace mantel. They can be a great touch in a room like the guest bedroom to add more character to that space. This is another idea that could benefit from having multiple jars together. A nice, balanced variety will enhance your already-beautiful flower arrangements.

Something really creative that you can do is to create your own vintage ginger jar lamp. Ready-made ginger lamps can cost hundreds of dollars so this DIY budget idea involving a ginger jar you already have and a new lamp kit will get you the same look for much less. We recommend the Qc Lamp Making Kit from Amazon for $15. It is beginner-friendly and gives you what you need to build a new lamp or repair an old one. We also like that it comes in an elegant brass color.

Another creative and functional use for a ginger jar is as a container in your bedroom. On your bedside table, small jars can hold incense sticks to make the space feel more cozy, beauty supplies for your late night routine, or treats for a midnight snack. Another idea is to keep them on your window ledge where you can always see them. You could also try matching its patterns and colors with your window treatment. However, ensure you have enough surface space when keeping ginger jars in the bedroom to avoid knocking them down.

This is one ginger jar tip that will give your home that Hamptons look. Whether you have a few books on a floating shelf or a whole bookcase, ginger jars can serve as bookends to hold your books in style. They are delicate, though, so you will need to make sure they are secure on the surface. You can do this by gluing them down or using clear bumpers so you don't damage the surface. It's probably best to do this with lightweight books to reduce the chance of sliding.

Ginger jars can be just the stylish addition your entryway needs. Alongside your catchall tray and organizers, you can also keep a ginger jar or two to improve the visuals. You can pair it with other decorative elements, like a potted plant, small mirror, or a beautiful work of art. Alternatively, you can use it as your catchall tray for soft items, like mail, if you want to reduce clutter on the table. This can even be a good spot for your handmade ginger jar lamp.

Ginger jars can be the star of your table setting, especially when you want to go all out. Choose a jar that's a good size, something too small will have little impact, while something too big may consume the table's surface. You can add flowers, candles, garlands, and even seasonal decorations, such as Easter eggs for a spring meal, to make the arrangement full and rich. They can be great centerpieces whether the setting is indoors or outdoors. Also, feel free to mix it up by switching out jars based on the occasion and season.

Another functional way to repurpose ginger jars is to use them as spice containers for your table. You can use this alongside your ginger jar centerpieces and flower vases! Just pour salt, pepper, and any other spice in tiny ginger jars and you're good to go. To keep the spices fresh, use the jars with lids. One tip is to add spice labels on the jars, like the Talented Kitchen 272 Spice Labels from Amazon for $16, which comes in a beautiful font.

Ginger jars can be repurposed into stylish containers to keep your utensils on the counter. You can use large ones for things like spatulas and napkins, so they're easy to reach as you work in the kitchen, but you can also use smaller ones to hold cutlery when setting the dinner table or eating on the island. Sprinkling ginger jars around the space like this will instantly make your kitchen and dining room more elegant and organized. Just be careful about moving them around so they don't fall and break. Be sure to wash the insides regularly so they don't store dirt.

Ginger jars can also be stylish safety accessories. Whether you're displaying them as decor pieces, using them as bookends, or adorning your window sill with them, they can double as effective hiding spots for small valuables like keys, cash, jewelry, or even adorable family photos that you want to avoid losing. Just keep the lids on and keep track of where you kept your items. If you need more hiding spots, there are more ingenious places to hide and store items around your home.