Give An Old Glass Jar New Life As Elegant Kitchen Counter Decor With An Easy DIY

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Clear glass vessels, like jars, vases, bowls, and tumblers, are inexpensive and plentiful at discount retailers and secondhand markets. While pretty basic on their own, these pieces can often be transformed into beautiful DIY decor to outfit your home. For instance, there are all kinds of clever ways to turn upcycled glassware, like thrifted Mason jars or even jelly jars you've rescued from the recycle bin, into chic DIY candle holders, including one stunning kitchen countertop lantern that only needs the addition of some colored sand, a small tealight, and matte spray paint. The effect is a luxe-looking accent piece that rivals something much more expensive from retailers and costs only pennies.

Thrift stores are usually filled with old jars and glassware pieces that work perfectly for this sort of project. You could also pick up an abundance of Dollar Tree glass jars with interesting shapes and designs, like these Round Glass Jars. Since they are easy to assemble and budget-friendly, you can make as many candle holders as you want. They look especially cozy in groupings on a countertop tray, with candles of differing sizes displayed with decorative objects like greenery, small stones, and other natural materials. To enhance the look of your decor, you could also use this as a fun way to repurpose vases (such as these Dollar Tree Hurricane Flower Vases), outdated light globes from discarded fixtures, and other uniquely shaped glass pieces.

To add some color to your glass jar decor, tape off the portion you'd like to be solid before spray painting it. Hold the nozzle about 8 to 12 inches from the glass, and minimize drips by applying several light coats. Matte black creates a sleek modern look, but you could leave the glass clear or use another color that matches your decor as well. Textured spray paints, like Krylon Coarse Stone Texture Spray Paint, are great for adding a stone look. You can also maximize the mood of your candles with decorative touches, like stencils, stamps, and gold leaf. Other great tricks to add interest include wrapping the container in twine or knotted rope or decoupaging portions of the glass. To raise the candle holder with a pedestal, use one of the stronger types of glue you should have on hand, such as epoxy or E6000, to secure a second piece of glassware or tapered candle holder to the bottom.

Once the container has dried, fill it to your desired height with a material to hold your candle aloft. One popular option is decorative colored or natural sand. Similar materials, like colored aquarium gravel or pea gravel, add even more texture. A great kitchen option is employing pretty pink sea salt or regular white table salt in the bottom of the jar or container. You could also use Dollar Tree's Crushed Glass or Glass Marbles. Simply embed the tea light into the material, and light it for an easy kitchen votive candle you can make in minutes.