What to Put in Decorative Glass Jars in the Kitchen: : Stylish & Practical Ideas
Decorative glass jars are a simple yet stylish way to add charm and functionality to your kitchen. If you’re wondering what to put in decorative glass jars in the kitchen, I’ve got plenty of creative and practical ideas to help you organize and elevate your space!
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Glass Jar Function and Beauty
My grandma had a cookie jar.
And this cookie jar was full of magic! At least it was for 7-year-old me!
Homemade cookies were kept in this glass cookie jar and I would wait anxiously for that moment when the cookies were offered.
Whenever I see cookies displayed under glass in a cafe, I think of that cookie jar!
This memory sticks with me after all these years and I am struck by how a functional yet decorative item can have such an impact.
Kitchens need storage. But they also need a little magic!
Decorative glass jars in your kitchen provide the perfect opportunity to organize and decorate at the same time. Check out these ideas on how to choose what goes in your decorative glass jars so they become something special within your home!
I think decorative glass jars used as home decor in the kitchen are the perfect way to work some functional and decorative magic.
What types of glass containers work best on a kitchen counter or baker’s rack?
Consider the immense world of empty jars and then start to fill them. Any clear jar will do. There is not a “wrong” glass jar choice!
Look for jars in different sizes that can hold a variety of things that you use every day in the kitchen.
You can find them at home stores or the dollar store, fancy boutiques, or thrift stores! Here are some types to look out for. Many of these are similar in style but just have different names.
- Large glass jars
- Canning jars
- Mason jars/Ball jar
- Glass apothecary jars
- Wide mouth jar
- Soap Dispenser
- Glass storage jars
- Beverage dispenser
But what to put in them? Here are some new ideas you might not have considered!
Glass Jar Food Storage
Open your pantry doors and start filling glass jars!
From rice to pasta to cereal, various grains, beans, and noodles have beautiful colors and textures that are so appealing when displayed in glass jars in the kitchen.
This lidded glass jar has an airtight seal that helps keep balsamic rice dry and fresh. Displayed on a wooden board right next to the olive oil is a handy reach when creating a main or side dish for dinner!
One problem that I ran into when storing grains in jars…the cooking instructions got thrown away when I filled the jars!
My solution? I cut out the cooking instructions and tape them to the bottom of the jar.
It is an easy way to keep the instructions handy!
I like to store chia seeds in a sealed glass jar on the kitchen counter. It reminds me to add a little to my yogurt each day.
And the seeds look fabulous under glass!
After years of storing sugar and various flours in the pantry, I decided to keep them handy on the counter in these lidded glass canisters.
This saves so much time when baking and I am visually reminded when we are low on certain staples.
Plus, it just looks so pretty on the kitchen countertop!
Perhaps my favorite glass jar hack is my “lazy one-cup” teacup. This charming teacup is just shy of a perfect one-cup measure and is perfect for a quick scoop of sugar when baking!
I love seeing the teacup buried in a mini-mountain of sugar!
Colorful Glass Storage
I used to find little containers of colorful red and green sprinkles floating around a pantry drawer with a sweet trail of color close behind.
Kitchen glass jars solve this problem. They take up little counter space and the bright colors are so cheerful seen through the glass.
Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or other special occasions, keep the sprinkles and candy on display!
Glass Storage for Beverages
What would I do without my coffee? Not much, I’m afraid!
While the idea of a kitchen coffee bar is very appealing to me, I always drink my coffee black or with just a splash of cream. So a couple of glass jars with regular and dark roasted ground coffee are all I need for my morning, afternoon, and yes, evening coffee!
And in coffee central #2, I keep coffee pods handy by piling them into an open glass jar. Easy access to a quick cup of coffee!
I drink tea too! Hot tea is the choice when trying to avoid my late-night munchies so this lidded glass jar is a practical way to store tea bags. And individual cold tea packets help me meet my water quota for the day.
Keep both handy in beautiful glass jars!
Functional and Lovely Glass Jars in the Kitchen
Functionality can be attractive!
This leather-handled glass jar is perfect for collecting change at the day’s end. This is a great filler that actually saves you money!
If you have a dog, you probably have dog treats in the house. Why not give Fido an upgrade in his treat container?
I am a huge fan of large apothecary jars and have used this one for many, many years. Right now, the best way to use it is to store Bentley’s dog treats!
Bentley knows that the “good treats” are kept in this lidded apothecary jar. He is a smart dog and “assumes the position” in front of the jar when he wants a snack!
Don’t worry! He got a treat after this photo was taken!
Place a candle in a jar.
Or beautify something as utilitarian as hand sanitizer by storing it in glass.
We can’t forget flowers and plants!
Pretty blooms are perfect in a kitchen glass jar that is repurposed as a lovely vase.
Does a recycled vodka bottle count as a glass container for kitchen decor?
How about branches from the backyard displayed dramatically in a large glass vase?
Abso-bloomin’-lutely!
These blue jars were a fun thrift store find and are a great way to display flowers on a kitchen island or counter.
Light shining through the window really illuminates the blue glass. To help the light find the glass, I elevated the jars on a dough bowl turned upside down.
Decorating with Glass Jars in Other Rooms
Decorative glass jars aren’t just for the kitchen—they can bring beauty, organization, and personality to every room in your home! Whether you’re aiming for a cozy, rustic feel or a sleek, modern look, clear jars provide endless decorating possibilities.
Here are some inspiring ideas for using decorative jars beyond the kitchen:
Bathroom Beauty
Transform your bathroom into a spa-like retreat with the help of simple glass jars. Store cotton balls, bath salts, and cotton swabs in decorative jars for a tidy yet elegant display on your vanity or open shelving.
A large apothecary jar filled with bath salts adds a luxurious touch, while smaller jars can keep everyday essentials organized in style.
I filled a small glass jar with the most amazing DIY lip scrub. Learn how to make your own HERE!
And one of my favorite bathroom decorating hacks is to fill a glass jar or glass decanter with mouthwash! If you want to see some more easy bathroom counter decorating ideas, you can click HERE.
Living Room Ambiance
Enhance your living room decor by incorporating decorative glass jars into your space. Fill them with battery-operated lights or floating candles for a magical glow on a bookshelf or coffee table.
Check out my DIY Crackle Glass Jar project HERE. I used a simple glass jar from the dollar store and transformed it into the prettiest vase to sit on a stack of coffee table books.
Use a simple glass jar to hold decorative stones, dried flowers, or even rolled-up handwritten notes for a unique and personal touch.
Dining Table Elegance
A well-styled dining table can be elevated with the addition of decorative jars.
Use a cluster of clear jars in different sizes as a centerpiece, filling them with seasonal decor such as pinecones, flowers, or floating candles.
Consider placing glass lanterns on your table and fill the lanterns with even more small glass jars filled with flowers. Layering at its best!
Bedroom Serenity
Incorporate glass jars into your bedroom decor to reflect your personal style.
Fill them with dried lavender or potpourri for a subtle fragrance, or use them to store jewelry, hair accessories, or other small items.
A decorative jar on your nightstand can hold delicate fairy lights, creating a soft and calming nighttime glow.
And make your favorite glass candle jar stand out with a simple glass cloche over the top!
Decorative Glass Jars: In the Kitchen and Beyond
Decorative glass jars are a great addition to any kitchen. They add character and charm while also having practical functions like storing spices and pantry staples.
With these ideas, you may be inspired to get some decorative glass jars for your own kitchen. I’ll bet you have some great ideas of your own. Please share in the comments!
Cheers!
A Little About Me
Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!
“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”
I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.
I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!
– cheers –
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Great suggestions Missy! love Mr. Bently waiting for a bone.
He knows exactly where they are!
Wow!! I REALLY enjoyed this post, Missy!!
There is something so fun about putting things in jars…I don’t know what it is!! I keep all sorts of things in glass jars in my kitchen like you, coffee being the most important. I love those blue jars you found at the thrift store…how fun to hold flowers!! Amazing post!
Hi Rachel! Thank you so much! I would agree…my coffee jar is probably the most important one! I was so thrilled to find the blue jars at a thrift store. I actually debated whether to get them…for about 10 seconds! What else do you put in jars? So fun to play with them!
Awesome glass jars. I especially love those big ones with the flour and sugar. My sister still uses her jars. I would love to have some myself but with limited space in my small kitchen I now have everything in small containers in my kitchen cupboard.
I visited you via Spring Pastels at All About Home #194
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Hi Esme’, Small containers are perfect in kitchen cupboards! I find that I tuck some away and then trade out what I have on the counter. Revolving glass jars! Keeps things interesting! Thanks for visiting!
You’ve come up with so many wonderful ideas! I’m featuring you tonight at the Home Matters Link Party. Hope to see you drop by and take a look. Thanks for sharing with us!
Oh how exciting, Allyson! Thank you so much! I will, of course, stop by! You have a great link party!
Great ideas! I really love this! I just got a clear glass vase and I am excited to try one of these out!
You should share this on my link party for the chance to be featured! It’s open every Tuesday at 8am – Friday at 12pm eastern. Hope to see your there!
https://perfectlyimperfect-lwl.com/tell-it-to-me-tuesday-3-6-27-23-link-party/
Hi Lyndsey! I will definitely head to your link party on Tuesday. Have fun decorating your glass vase!
I love glass jars in the kitchen. We are planning our kitchen remodel, and I am collecting glass jars for a new pantry. I am kind of excited since none of them will match. Perfectly imperfect… I love your ideas Missy. Thank you for sharing.
You are so sweet, Cara! Thank you so much!
I love glass jars in the kitchen. We are planning our kitchen remodel, and I am collecting glass jars for a new pantry. I am kind of excited since none of them will match. Perfectly imperfect… I love your ideas Missy. We also keep our Bentley’s treats in a glass jar too! Thank you for sharing.
Love these ideas, especially the sugar with the beautiful teacup inside! My great grandmother’s magic was her amazing homemade rolls. The kind where you can’t even jump in the house while they’re baking or they will fall. Ahhhhmazing! Thanks for linking up on Crafty Creators. Hope to see you tomorrow!
My grandmother too! I remember tiptoeing around so they wouldn’t fall! Thank you so much for your link party and stopping by my blog!
Hi Missy! There are some great ideas in this post. I am with you – I love glass containers because you can see what’s in them and if you are about to run out of an item. Also, I love your idea of putting chia seeds in a jar so you are reminded to use them. Thanks for linking up with the Home Imagined link party.
Thanks so much, Anna!
I have quite a few glass jars in my kitchen with practical things in like sugar, flour, pasta and rice in. They are much prettier than the paper or plastic bags that things like that come in.
What great ideas!
Lots of creative ideas! I love the blue jars in the window, so pretty. This has given me lots of inspiration for our new house. Thanks Missy! 😊 #MMBC