33 Mason Jar Crafts for Every Room in the House
Canning is great and all — but these country staples are good for so much more.
Mason jars: They’re not just for harvesters and weddings anymore. Yes, you can still use mason jars when your garden is ripe, and you need to preserve, jelly, and pickle your favorite fruits and vegetables (if you do, you are certainly welcome to drop off your extras with us.) And of course, they still provide the casual-but-elegant vibe for centerpieces and favors at shabby-chic weddings.
But mason jars can do so much more, too. That’s because they’re endlessly versatile, and you can use them — and their components — in every room of your house. Turn them into indoor planters and vases, or outdoor bird feeders and citronella candles. Use them to organize your beauty supplies, your spices, and all the bits and bobs in your sewing room. Keep a couple extras in the kitchen as a baking dish for the best single-serve dinner roll you’ve ever eaten — or even a makeshift tart pan. You’ll never run out of uses for them. That’s because mason jars are the perfect size to hold just the right amount of something — it’s not too much or too little — and you’ll always have an extra corner here or there to stash them in. (And, if not, give them as gifts!) Take on one of these mason jar crafts, and you’ll always have a space for everything.
Mason Jar Succulent Garden
Whether you plan to line them on a shelf or give them away as presents, it's easy to custom-paint a few mason jars to match any décor, and then fill with easygoing plants.
Colored Mason Jar Vases
Did you know you can color your own mason jars? Dye them with the help of Mod Podge (gloss finish), a little food coloring, and your oven. Fill the finished product with fresh flowers.
Mason Jar Beauty Dispensers
Add a vintage touch to a shabby-chic bathroom with these pretty-yet-functional containers.
Mason Jar Herb Holder
If you love to bring the outdoors in, then take a stab at this hanging herb garden. Here's what you'll need: wooden board (this one was rescued from the site of a torn-down home), mason jars, an assortment of hangers, and basic tools. Add the finishing touches with chalkboard paint and chalk.
Mason Jar Lantern
Transform a wire bail mason jar into a tableside lamp! You'll need some (surprisingly inexpensive) hardware supplies: a shade holder, bushing, candelabra socket, light bulb, and cord with clicker switch. Optional: spray paint and patience.
Mason Jar Candleholders
Fashion a set of charming candleholders with scraps of thin fabric, craft glue, and a small paintbrush. For safety, illuminate the jars with battery-operated tea lights instead of candles.
Mason Jar Air Freshener
Transform your home into the freshest one on the block! Use items like lemons, rosemary, vanilla, mint, lime, ginger, or oranges, and breathe in the scent all day.
Mason Jar Toothbrush Holder
Outfitted with chicken wire, a Mason jar keeps toothbrushes upright (the best position for drying) and prevents them from touching each other (and swapping germs).
Mason Jar Sconce
Together, simple hardware — a pipe clamp and a hanging hook — can breathe new life into this wooden plaque (snagged at the dollar store). Just fill the sconce with beach souvenirs like shells and a starfish.
Mason Jar Manicure Kit
This is the perfect gift for your nail art-obsessed friend. Or, make one for yourself so your acetone, nail files, and fave polish are always handy.
Mason Jar Lid Plant Label
Turn your mason jar lids into shiny new plant labels for your garden! They're elegant and they'll help you locate your eggplants.
Get the tutorial at The Prudent Garden »
RELATED: 40+ Crafts and Activities for Kids to Save the Day When Boredom Strikes
Mason Jar Nail Polish Remover Kit
Instead of spending $10 or more on a store-bought version, create your own nail-polish remover kit with products you probably already have around the house.
Mason Jar Tarts
Mason jar lids are like little tart pans, which is where Christina Lane, author of Dessert For Two, got the idea for this chocolate caramel treat. You can play around with the fillings: Substitute jam for caramel, or cookies for graham crackers.
Mason Jar Mini Blender
Your blender's blades will probably fit right into an empty jar, so you can whip up solo servings of smoothies, or skip dirtying the blender's container when making sauces or soups to save for later.
Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker
Grab two mason jar lids, and drill a few holes in one, for this party trick: Shake drinks with a regular lid, and switch to the perforated one to strain into glasses.
Mason Jar Salt Holder
When you've emptied a Morton Salt container, reserve the lid to retrofit a canning jar with the handy pourer. You can use it to dispense salt, sure, but also try filling it with spices, grains, or even glitter in the craft room.
Mason Jar Birdfeeder
A mason jar fits perfectly in the middle of a small, round chicken feeder. Storing seeds this way will keep your feathered friends visiting all season long.
Mason Jar Outdoor Chandelier
Give your backyard a beautiful finishing touch with this rustic "chandelier." Fill a few mason jars with white string lights, and let the lanterns light up your night.
Mason Jar Hanging Candles
Or, for a different take on a chandelier, hang mason jars from a 5-foot-long board. These mason jar tea lights are easy to unscrew, allowing you to swap out the candles. This outdoor chandelier was assembled using a hole-saw bit and an electric drill. If you don't own either, borrow the tools from a friend or rent them from a home improvement store.
Mason Jar Citronella Candles
Use your mason jars to ward off pesky insects, and pretty up your patio while you're at it.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
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