Turn Old Glass Jars Into Cute Decor That Doubles As Storage With A Simple Upcycle

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Glass jars are one item that's easy to accumulate, and you don't even have to be passionate about canning. From condiments to fruit, so many of our foods come in containers that can be upcycled into home decor instead of just being tossed away. You can even save old jar lids from the landfill for DIY projects! Although glass jars can be stylish on their own, it's possible to make them even more gorgeous with a simple stenciling project. The best part is that they can also double as storage pieces all for around the house — meaning you don't have to sacrifice beauty for organization.

You can reuse old glass jars regardless of their size, including tiny ones. However, for this project, medium to large jars might be the best choice since you're going to be using stencils — not that it couldn't be done with smaller options, though. You'll also need a stencil brush, a sponge brush, and a paint that works well on glass, such as this FolkArt Home Decor Ultra Matte Chalk Finish Acrylic Craft Paint Set, which comes with a variety of chic colors. Lastly, you need stencils with designs or characters that you adore. You can find options at your local craft store or on Amazon, like these Sniggle Sloth Kitchen Utensil Reusable Stencils that would be adorable for ingredient jars or these Flower Painting Stencils that would add loveliness to ones being used in a bedroom.

Before starting, be sure to remove any labels from your jars and wash them out with hot soapy water. Then, use your sponge brush and paint the jars any color you like. Do multiple coats if needed. After they're dry, stencil the jars one at a time. Pick out a stencil and cover the part of the jar where you'd like to add your design. You can either create a focal point for your jar or select a larger stencil that will wrap all the way around it. Then, dip your dry stencil brush in a small amount of paint and gently dab it on, filling in the entire open area.

While your jars are drying, consider giving the lids a little pizazz as well. Glue large beads or painted dice on to act as mini handles, and paint the lids a sophisticated color. You could also attach teeny wooden beads to the rims or use ones with more sparkle. The jars can also be upgraded by gluing round wood bases to their bottoms. Once they're all completely dry, it'll be time to find them their new homes.

These decorative glass jars are perfect to place in every room. They can easily be turned into bathroom storage solutions, as you can fill them with essentials like cotton balls, hair ties, and cotton swabs. Line them up on the counter and they'll look beautiful. Place one on a bedroom dresser for spare change or trinkets. Bring them back into the kitchen and fill them with coffee, flour, and sugar. With how charming they turn out, the last thing you'd want is to hide them away.