7 Creative Ways To Turn An Old Pickle Jar Into Clever Storage

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There's nothing quite like biting into a snappy pickle pulled straight from a jar, but once you've finished off your supply, it can feel wasteful to toss such a sturdy container in the garbage. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to repurpose pickle jars in your home and garden. Whether you're dealing with tiny, 4-ounce containers that once held gourmet pickles or a massive, gallon-sized jar, a little zhuzhing can turn this often-wasted packaging into a way to upgrade the storage in your space. From giving your bathroom some extra organization to keeping your workshop clutter-free, no area is off limits.

Unlike many other condiments, sauces, and preserved foods on the market, pickles almost universally come in glass. This is partly due to tradition, but it's also very important to the flavor of the product itself — glass doesn't absorb flavor, leach chemicals when holding acidic liquid, or melt when it's exposed to heat, making it perfect for storing cucumbers that have been soaked in hot, vinegar-laden brine. These factors also, coincidentally, make glass jars great for storage around the house.

There is one hangup, however, that prevents some DIYers from using pickle jars in their upcycling projects: the smell. Brine isn't exactly a pleasant scent, so before reusing your pickle jars, try this trick to get rid of the odor. Simply place your jars and the lids outside after a thorough wash to allow them to air out — if the smell is particularly stubborn, a vinegar and baking soda soak should help, too.

One of the easiest ways to give your pickle jars a new life doesn't even require you to leave the kitchen. Sealed storage containers are a foolproof way to deter pantry pests from invading, and once the labels are removed, pickle jars look just like the expensive canisters you might be tempted to buy new. While giving the jars a good wash and removing the label is sufficient for a quick, fuss-free DIY, consider painting the lids and adding adhesive labels to create a look that comes across as more intentionally styled.

Candy jars have a way of making even the most playful snacks look luxe, and with this DIY, you'll never be able to guess that the containers in your stylish display once held pickles. All you'll need are your jars, some cabinet pulls, a drill, some screws, and spray paint. Drill a hole through the lid of your pickle jar, attach a cabinet pull, secure it with a screw, and finish off with paint. These jars are great for displaying Halloween candy, but they could also be used to hold sweets and baked treats year-round.

Taking back your bathroom countertop space is no easy feat, but this jar upcycle can certainly help. All you'll need to do is attach some pipe clamps to a wood plank with screws. Secure your jars in these clamps, then mount the whole plank on the wall by adding a bit of twine or a sawtooth hanger along the back. Finish off with a painted or printed vinyl decoration, if desired, and you'll be left with a cute wall organizer that gives each of your family members a place for their toothbrush and toothpaste.

Whether you're hosting an outdoor dinner or you've grown tired of your cluttered utensil drawer, this cute silverware caddy using empty pickle jars can provide a better way to separate and display your cutlery. By removing the labels on your jars and replacing them with vinyl cutouts or letter stickers that indicate different types of silverware, you'll have already created a simple organizational system for your most-used utensils. Take things a step further by containing the jars in an easy-to-transport wood box painted a fun color that matches your existing decor.

It's safe to say that keeping your workspace organized when you're dealing with tiny screws, nuts, and bolts is a challenge, but this clever way to use pickle jars provides a solution. After removing the labels on your jars, screw the lids into a piece of 2-by-4 cut to the length of your cabinets. Secure it to the underside of your cabinetry with some heavy-duty screws, fill your jars with your most-used hardware, and attach the jars to their mounted lids. Because they're clear, you'll be able to see exactly what you need at a glance.

Crocks used for displaying your cooking utensils can be shockingly expensive when you consider how simple they actually are design-wise, but if you have a large pickle jar on hand, there's no reason to splurge. Coat your jar in a light coat of white spray paint, follow up with a layer of modeling clay, add on some decoupage, and finish off with a spray sealant to create a beautiful antique look. If you're feeling artistic, you can also include some modeling clay details and embellishments.

If you want to create some bathroom storage that feels like a more transformative DIY than simply cleaning out some old jars and repurposing them, Dollar Tree candle holders aren't just for candles. Clean up your jars, paint the lids, and attach a stylish curtain pull to the top just like the first hack, then use some Loctite Glass Glue to secure the candle holder to the bottom of the jars. Finish off with a cute bow or some stick-on labels, if desired, and use your elevated jars to stylishly display cotton balls or swabs.