How to Reuse Homesick Candle Jars

You’ve melted through an entire scented candle, and now you’re left with the beautiful glass jar it came in. You could toss it out or recycle it, but that seems like a waste—and you’d be right. If you’re wondering how to reuse candle jars, the good news is that there are many options to repurpose these containers. Here are our seven favorite ways to reuse Homesick candle jars:

Office Organization

Office supplies are oh so necessary, but they can quickly become a confusing tangle of rubber bands, paper clips and staples. If you have a bunch of small office supplies jumbled in your desk or in a drawer, you can keep them organized by separating them into empty candle jars. Dedicate one jar to each type of office supply and then tuck them in a drawer or basket for discreet storage. The glasses are also attractive enough that you can leave them out on a desk or shelf to show off your innovative storage hack.

Craft Supply Storage

If you’re a crafty person who can frequently be found working on at-home projects, then you know how hard it can be to wrangle your materials and keep them organized. There are craft storage solutions available, but most of them are utilitarian and not very nice to look at. If you’re looking for a better-looking way to store your craft supplies, reusing candle jars is an excellent solution. Whether you’re trying to store beads, buttons, screws, crayons, paints or any other number of items, Homesick candle jars will keep them neatly separated and ready at your fingertips.

Bathroom Containers

Bathroom storage is both a science and an art, and having the right containers can help you keep the mess at bay. If you have items that you want to leave out on your counter, reusing candle jars to hold Q-tips, makeup brushes and similar items will keep your bathroom looking nice while still leaving the essentials easily accessible. The glass is also easy to wipe down and disinfect–a must in any bathroom.

Drinking Glasses

If you’ve been meaning to get more drinking glasses, larger glass candle holders are a fantastic and practical upcycle. If you intend to drink out of the glasses, you do need to make sure to remove every last bit of wax and clean them thoroughly with dish soap and water before using. (If you’re not sure how to do that, check out our guide that explains how to get wax out of candle jars.) Put together a matching set of glasses from the same size candles, or mix and match for a more eclectic look.

Mini Plant Pots

Miniature plants are a great way to add some green to your space, no matter how small it is. However, it can be hard to find cute planters that are the perfect size for a single succulent. Fortunately, candle holders are the perfect size to hold tiny plants. Since they don’t have drainage holes, make sure to put a layer of horticultural charcoal in the bottom before adding in the dirt. This will soak up excess water and help fight root rot.

Flower Vase

If you’re not quite ready to take care of your own plants on a long-term basis, you can still keep them around in the short-term by putting a bouquet of flowers in an empty candle holder. Use smaller ones as bud vases to hold a single stem, and larger ones to hold more substantial bouquets. For a striking arrangement, line up a series of candle holder vases down the center of your table for an unusual focal point that is sure to get your guests talking.

Candle Holder 2.0

If you want to get meta, you can reuse your candle jar by placing another candle inside of it. This works especially well with tea lights, which are small enough to fit inside pretty much every glass container. If the jar is too deep, you can fill it with decorative stones, glass pebbles, beads or other filler to add visual interest and elevate the candle. You can also paint the glass or frost it to make it even more unique, or leave it plain to show off the candle in its full glory.

Reusing candle jars is not only environmentally friendly, it’s also a great way to get storage and decor for free. Browse this list whenever you need inspiration for how to reuse candle jars.