Beautiful DIYs That Turn Mason Jars Into Vintage Countertop Decor

Glass containers serve so many purposes, which is part of the reason mason jars are trending in home decor so much. From giving you a cute reusable cup to serving as a container for snacks on the go, it seems everyone has their own special use for these jars. But, they don't even have to leave the house to be functional and beautiful. If you have a lot of these containers lying around, and you are trying to give them a new purpose, turning them into the perfect vintage countertop decor may be just what you need. 

There are many ideas across the internet, we have rounded up the best ways to repurpose glass mason jars for vintage table or counter decor. The projects below provide you with some great examples of ways you can take those glass containers, and turn them into something that you would want to keep in the center of your kitchen, instead of hiding away in the back of a cupboard, collecting dust. The ideas below are diverse, ranging from whimsical faux gumball machines to a gothic vase. Some are simply for decoration, while others are able to be used to store items. Most of them are easy as well, needing just a few small tools and products from a thrift or craft store, if you don't already have everything you need lying around. 

Your mason jars don't have to look exactly like original antiques to get a nice vintage effect. Kitty Ideas on YouTube shows that with a little embroidered lace, air-dry clay, and paint, you can turn your jar into a Victorian glass vase with a faux brass mount. Though the end result looks very detailed and delicate, it's a pretty simple design to make. The "mount" is simply painted lace overlaid with clay pressed in a mold like the Scrollworks Mold by FUNSHOWCASE on Amazon. If you want that weathered antique vibe, layered black and gold acrylic paints work perfectly.

In her YouTube video, Upcycle with Andrea shows off several ways to get vintage-looking jars by adding classic labels to the outsides, and using several different materials to age the glass. A series of brown and black layered acrylic paint mixed with a bit of instant coffee or cinnamon can replicate dirt clumped onto the side of the jar. Use ModPodge to add a vintage-looking label pulled from a magazine or online, and you have a perfect farmhouse accessory.

Another way to add a farmhouse vintage touch to your mason jars, and to keep them organized, is to build a milk crate for them: all it takes is some Dollar Tree craft boxes, glue, and popsicle sticks (these are adhered to the outside for a structured look). This rustic container is the perfect spot to store multiple decorative mason jars. Depending on how you decorate, these jars can also serve a practical purpose by holding items like utensils, flowers, or even candy. 

If you want your jars to have a ceramic feel to them, then this fine line crack idea by Mason Creations etc. on YouTube is an amazing option. If you've used porcelain dishes, you may have noticed that over time, they can form fine cracks. You can recreate this antiqued look with glass mason jars either by using Mod Podge crackle paint or follow a method preferred by crafters with a coat of acrylic paint, followed by a coat of glue, and then another layer of paint (in a different color) once the glue has dried.

The blue Atlas containers might be the valuable vintage glass jars everyone wants, but you can also recreate the same look by dying your brand-new (or repurposed) mason jars. All you need to do is mix a few drops of food color, 1 tablespoon of water, and about 2 tablespoons of Gloss Mod Podge. Coat the inside in a thick layer, and then place it upside down somewhere to drain and dry before baking at 175 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, and you can recreate the highly desirable cornflower blue color.

For a farmhouse design with a bit of distressing, a little chalk paint and sandpaper can get you far. All you have to do is coat the outside of your jar in a few thin layers of chalk paint of your choice, and then brush lightly with a fine sandpaper to get the level of distressing you want. It works really well to let you highlight the labeling on the jar, but you can also scuff up a few other places for extra effect.

Combine the modern and the vintage with a photo album mason jar. Start by painting the glass any color you want, then simply cover the jar with photos of you and your family, in black-and-white or sepia tone for a vintage look. Don't forget to use a sealant like Mod Podge afterwards, to stop any peeling. You can use also artificially "age" images printed on computer paper, by staining them with tea bags.

For more of a cozy vintage cottage feel, you can combine your excess mason jars with beautiful thrifted crocheted doilies. This is such an easy process, as all you need to do is coat the fabric in adhesive spray and place it on the glass before covering it with a coating of sealant. You can also use them to hold items such as random trinkets or flowers. If you like the idea, but want a little color you can also dye your doilies, or paint your jar first.

This DIY allows you to turn mason jars and candlestands into something that looks a little like old-school gumball machines. All you need is some bright spray paint, an oversized candlestand, and chunky wooden beads. You will just coat the candle holder, lid, and beads in the colors of your choice, and allow it to dry before gluing the jar onto the pedestal. Paint all of the beads different colors to really get the feel of a retro gumball assortment.

While copper mason jars aren't really a thing, it's still an adorable decor option. Using copper accents can help give your overly-modern kitchen more vintage charm. Thankfully, this DIY is easy enough to do. All you need is some metal primer, copper paint, and then a blue patina aging solution. To get the best effect, add a few layers of the copper paint, and then spray on the solution while the copper is still wet. That will allow the color to spread more naturally.

Another fun and simple DIY that makes your mason jar look vintage involves adding some photos to the inside of your jar using Mod Podge. To further add to the design, a little textured paint on the outside using baking soda mixed into the color of your choice or a thick sponge allows you to add a bit more dimension. Make sure you leave the area in front of your picture unpainted. You can mess around with this design, to find something that fits perfectly with your decor.