Vintage trends come and go, but jars as decor is eternal. No matter what your style, jars find a way to work for you. They’re a quick go-to when you need a carefree vase or candleholder because they live at the intersection of economy, versatility, charm and function. Think about it: you get a vintage look whether you scrounge jars from your recycling bin or find them at your favorite vintage shop. You can use them for storage, as creative lighting, to grow plants, to showcase collections and more. Jars come in so many shapes and sizes, you can find ones that suit your style and your purpose without breaking a sweat. As long as creativity and spontaneity play a role in home decor, jars will too.
Mason jars are ubiquitous at this point. As well they should be. They’re available in many sizes and shapes. The two part lid allows for all kinds of innovations. But if you limit your jar adventures to mason jars, you’ll never know the joy of jam jars large and small, tall thin olive jars and short squat pimento jars, vintage mayonnaise jars with their printed lids or best of all, gargantuan jars from the food service industry.
Need some inspiration? We’ve got it!
Storing stuff in jars
Jars are an upgrade for storing foods in the kitchen. Moving grains, pasta, beans and other dry items from boxes to clear jars makes your pantry more organized and functional (and more like it escaped from a magazine). Remind yourself of your summer vacation with a beach-in-a-jar. But beyond that, jars in all sizes and shapes are a time honored tradition in the workshop with extra points for style from Funky Junk Interiors. And crafting notions that are too pretty for drawers can be nicely displayed in jars, from Nest Full of Eggs.
Lighting up with jars
Create your own pendant lamp using a vintage jar and a light cord set with this DIY from Andydecreative on Instructibles. You can also find mason jar lids with cord sets already attached. Micro lights and battery operated tea lights are great ways to make a nightlight or add ambience to the night garden.
Planting in jars
Growing things in jars means you need to be mindful about your watering (unless you drill holes in the bottom of the jar for drainage) but a row of mix and match jars filled with herbs will brighten any window– tutorial from Ramshackle Glam. Terrariums in closed jars are also fun to build. A large food service jar would work as well as a tiny jar, just follow the DIY from HGTV.
Jar inspiration
A close competitor to mason jars in the jar popularity contest are Bonne Maman preserve jars, both full size and mini size from their ridiculously delicious jam advent calendar. Pinterest is full of the panel-sided gingham-lidded pretties, with and without labels. But Bonne Maman has ideas of their own.
Get more jar inspiration in our post on 5 Winter Thrift Picks in Summer.
