Start Decorating With Apothecary Jars With These 15 Ideas

Apothecary jars have a plethora of functional and decorative elements that are simple to incorporate into your home. Once used for storing herbs and medicines, these bulbous glass containers are now used as beautiful decorative accents that can enhance a variety of design styles — from Mediterranean to French country to contemporary and modern interiors. Whether you fill them with nature-inspired elements, seasonal decor, or everyday necessities, apothecary jars bring eye-catching focal points to any room. They can also offer a delicate container for organizing.

From tall cylinder urns to round and squatty forms, apothecary jars come in a variety of shapes and sizes that can easily blend into any occasion or decor. As an effortless method of adding texture, color, and visual interest, you can turn apothecary jars into statement-making focal points throughout your home. Even if you don't have an apothecary jar readily available, DIY your own for extra storage around the house, like inside the pantry to store dried herbs, spices, flour, and sugar or in the bathroom for organizing cotton balls and bath salts. Apothecary jars can also set a seasonal tone by filling them with twinkling fairy lights and ornaments during the holidays or nature-inspired terrariums with dried flowers and grass. With endless possibilities at your fingertips, these vintage-inspired jars bring a pretty aesthetic everywhere and stylish organization that breaks away from traditional and, in some cases, ordinary vase and glass container displays.

Whether fashion is your thing or you're a sewing expert, plop colorful thread spools into an apothecary jar or two for instant decor and organization. These glass containers keep your spools neatly arranged and in place while showing off their vibrant colors, adding a decorative addition to your craft room or sewing nook. The clear glass also makes it easier to quickly grab the right color in a pinch.

Apothecary jars make functional displays that upgrade your mundane coffee buffet setup. They're great for filling with a variety of coffee beans or coffee pods, wood stirring sticks, biscotti, sweeteners, and anything else that deserves to be displayed next to your coffee grinder or espresso machine. Dress them up with twine, labels, or even chalkboard signs if you feel like getting fancy. It's an easy way to elevate your coffee experience while keeping everything organized and pretty.

One of the most common ways to use an apothecary jar is for displaying flowers. Whether you choose a classic floral arrangement, branches lined with blooms, or dried pampas grass, this versatile container helps bring a splash of nature to your space. And with a little help from metallic spray paint, you can even make your apothecary jar look like a high-end decorative vase for showing off on top of your entryway table.

An apothecary jar can become an unexpected photo display, bringing a nostalgic and artistic touch to your space. Roll up small prints and secure them inside with ribbons, or wrap panoramic photos and press them against the glass interior for a 360-degree display. You can also dress up your display with fairy lights, dried flowers, or sand to make your cherished photo stand out, whether in your entryway, kitchen, or bedroom.

When your home vibe trends more toward gothic-chic than farmhouse or you live for the Halloween season, it's easy to DIY a few apothecary jars into the perfect decor for an enchanting addition to any eerie aesthetic. Transform these versatile glass containers into spooky centerpieces, creepy potions, or mystical curiosities with some black paint, cloth pieces for texture, dark wax, and a few labels.

With their clear glass design and wide-mouth opening, apothecary jars make excellent containers for quickly grabbing your daily essentials. They make even the most ordinary bathroom an organized retreat. These jars help keep hair ties, lip balms, travel-size toiletries, and lots more perfectly in place. If plain isn't your jam, enhance their aesthetic by adding labels or tying pretty decorative ribbons around the lids. There are plenty of ways to upcycle glass jars to make your bathroom stylish and functional.

Apothecary jars make gorgeous containers for DIY terrariums, filled with different types of terrarium plants anyone can take care of. The transparent glass shows off mini ecosystems when you fill them with moss, pebbles, and some cute succulents for a low-maintenance nature-inspired addition to your home. If you prefer a more rustic vibe, try using dried, colorful flowers for an eco-friendly look that can last for years. An apothecary jar terrarium adds a fresh and organic element to any space.

When you've run out of places to safely store some of your favorite tea sets, stack them in a tall apothecary jar. This unexpected decor is a whimsical way to create a special showcase while preserving an heirloom. To create a perfectly layered look, start with a saucer at the bottom, followed by a teacup turned on its side, and so on. The lid helps keep dust out while maximizing the full height of the jar.

Whether you're hosting a party, celebrating a special occasion, or you just want to keep your favorite snacks organized (and in view), apothecary jars blend function and style to your treat setup. When snacks are going to sit out anyway for easy grabs, they might as well have a fancy container. Apothecary jars offer a pretty display for baked goods like cookies and brownies as well as an assortment of vibrantly colored candy like gummy bears and seasonal sweets.

When you add some bling to your apothecary jars, you're instantly elevating their look — and that of your next bubble bath. Even if you don't use them in any functional way, like holding bath bombs, shower infusion pods, or bubble baths scents, they'll bring a glam aesthetic and some oomph to your space. Cluster together different apothecary jar sizes for a luxe arrangement or put a single statement jar near the bathtub for a touch of elegance.

Probably our favorite way to use apothecary jars is to throw some whimsical pink blossoms inside, but, of course, any color blooms work. We love the idea of using something besides a regular vase, which most people expect to see with faux flowers, to show off a pretty, well-thought-out floral display. The key is to find faux florals that are loose and can bend with the shapes of the jars, like wisteria, orchids, or cherry blossoms.

The prettiest — and easiest — way to bring the holiday spirit into your home is with apothecary jar displays. Fill them with fake snow, mini evergreen trees, glittery mini reindeer, or any other decor that celebrates the holiday. The lid makes the perfect place for tying a bright red bow to complete the seasonal look. Add the display to your entryway, kitchen counter, or living room coffee table for everyone to see. This is an easy project to adapt for any holiday throughout the year.

Turning an ordinary glass apothecary urn into minimalist table decor is as simple as grabbing a can of spray paint in your favorite hue. This affordable DIY is so much cheaper than buying a similar, high-end look made of ceramic. The table centerpiece is super versatile because you can style it with other table accessories, like a stack of books, or let it make a statement on its own.

Dress up your laundry room and find organization by converting apothecary jars into laundry detergent containers. You can recycle the original containers that bring nothing to your decor and free up space to boot. Powder detergent and scent boosting beads often come in much prettier colors than plastic brand containers. Large apothecary jars with lids make it easy to store laundry pods, detergent powder, stain removers, lint rollers, or dryer sheets.

Create a home apothecary setup in your kitchen for cooking or mixing your own remedies or fun potions. Choose a mix of jars in a variety of sizes to store spices, herbs, cinnamon sticks, dehydrated fruit, and other natural or organic substances. Use a decorative tray, wooden crate, or wall shelf to group the jars together for a quaint, organized look that's also super practical.