9 Ways To Upcycle An Old Jam Jar Into The Cutest Kitchen Decor

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For avid crafters and DIYers, letting a good jar go to waste can be tough. Even if you don't have a purpose for the glass jar right away, there is always the potential to elevate any basic glass jar into a work of art. So, if you've got a collection of empty jam jars stored away for future projects, it's time to bring them out. With just a few additional materials, you can transform old jam jars into the cutest kitchen decor pieces. From strawberry jam themed soap dispensers to the most precious scented candles to decorative coasters, these DIYs are ideal for anyone looking to incorporate the jam girl summer trend into their home decor.

To keep the jam theme strong, some of these DIYs keep the label on the jar, so you don't need to spend precious time soaking and scrubbing the glue off. Additionally, most of these jar crafts are beginner and budget friendly, allowing you to create decor pieces for your kitchen for a low price. 

Turning your jam jar into an adorable soap dispenser is an easy upcycle. All you need is the jar, a pump from an old liquid soap dispenser, a drill, and some liquid soap. Start by drilling a hole the same size as your soap pump into the jar lid. Then, wedge the pump into the hole, fill your jar with liquid soap, and screw the lid into place. For the best look, keep the label on your jam jar and use a soap that matches the scent and color of that type of jam.

For this upcycle, you will only need the lid of your jam jar to create a fun, personalized magnet. You can use personal photos, stickers, scrapbook materials, or cut-outs from magazines to decorate the magnet. To assemble, simply adhere your art of choice to the inside of the lid with hot glue. Then, take a magnet and hot glue it to the backside of your lid. You can paint the edge of the lid or glue on fun extras like pom poms and tassels to give it even more personality. 

If the idea of walking into a jam-scented kitchen sounds heavenly to you, then these jam jar scented candles are perfect. Start by sourcing candle wax that is the scent (and color, if desired) of your favorite type of jam. You will also need cotton candle wicks, wick stickers, a clothespin (to hold the wick upright as your wax solidifies), scissors, and optionally a HiParty Silicone Fruit Mold. To give your "jam" a homemade look, use the silicone mold to make tiny fruit pieces and layer them throughout the candle as you pour the wax.

Displaying fresh cut flowers in your kitchen is an easy way to liven up the room. Naturally, an old jam jar makes a simple and affordable vase for those flowers. However, if you're looking to elevate your vase game, all you need is a little air dry clay. Use your hands to mold the clay around your jar. Once it's securely on the jar, you can create little designs using your fingers or carving tools. Allow the vase to dry completely, then seal it using a protective top coat.

Whether you saved every jar from your Bonne Maman advent calendar or simply have a surplus of small jam jars lying around, you can use those mini jars to create a gorgeous light display for your kitchen windowsill or table. To make the lights, drill holes into the jar lids big enough for the bulbs on your string lights to fit through. Secure the lights in place using hot glue, then screw the jam jar lids back on. If you like, you can use colored lights to mimic the look of jam.

Upcycling an old glass jar into an affordable indoor herb garden is a no-brainer. Not only does this give you access to delicious fresh herbs, it also serves as cute home decor. You can use the jar lids to craft adorable labels for each plant. Start by drilling a hole in the base of the jar and planting your herb inside. Then, hot glue a popsicle stick to one side of the jar lid. On the other side, use paint or a custom sticker to identify the herbs.

Coasters are a great way to keep your dining table safe and help add a little personality to your kitchen. Making coasters out of jam jar lids is easy. All you need is the lid, a cork sheet, some fabric squares, and a hot glue gun. Start by wrapping the fabric around the top of your lid, gluing the edges down to the inner side. Then, cut a piece of cork to fit the inside of the lid and hot glue it into place. You can customize these further by painting the cork or using a vinyl sticker.

If your kitchen gets plenty of sun, it could be an excellent place to propagate your favorite house plants. To make your propagation station into the cutest decor, all you need is a little string and a banana hook. Use the string to create a mini macrame holder for your jar. Then, fill the jar with water and plant cuttings and hang it on your banana hook. Alternatively, just place the jars on your windowsill. You can either remove the lid completely or cut a hole and feed the stem through.

These decorative spice jars or kitchen canisters are fun, easy to make, and a great way to add whimsy to your kitchen. To make spice jars, simply fill each cleaned jar with spices and add labels. For storage canisters, glue some small items to the lids — small fruit figurines would play into the jam theme, though knobs could also work. Once dry, spray paint the entire lid and figurine the color of your choice. Use the canisters to display decor like seashells or store kitchen items like cookies, pet treats, or dishwasher pods.