Ideas to Upcycle Old Vases

A common way to repurpose old vases is to use them as fancy candle holders. This project will work with vases of any shape and size. All you need for this simple idea is an old candle that matches. A larger vase would look great, filled with sand and small stones that keep the candle in place. If you want to use thin taper candles for this idea, you will need an old glass bottle. Stick the candle into the bottle and place it in your vase. To decorate the vase, select your favorite paint color or tie a neat bow around its neck.

Making a lantern by upcycling old vases is a great idea. You can do this by placing fairy lights inside them and hanging them on the balcony. They will not only give a new look to the vase but also add a new character to your balcony. For this, you will need old vases in various sizes and some battery-operated fairy lights. To hang the vase, gather some sturdy twine or string.

Choose glass vases since they will allow the light to be visible. Drape the fairy lights over the rim of the vase or coil them on the bottom. You can use tape to secure the fairy lights in place.

T​​​​he twine or string pieces that you will use to hang the vases should be long enough and cut in pieces of equal length. Tie the vase by creating a loop around the vase; this involves tying one end of each string into loops and securing the vase into the loop, then you can tie the open ends of the two strings together and make a firm knot above the vase.

Suspend them from your balcony’s railing or ceiling, and your work here is done. To hang it from the railing, use hooks or clamps to secure the hanging string whereas to hang it from the ceiling, you can strong hook or eyelet screw to attach the string. Make sure that the vases you use are not too heavy and safe to be hung outside.

Vases can be a versatile storage solution for many purposes. You can use them for storing various types of items like candies and sugar packets. Repurpose smaller old vases to store hair ties, hair clips, beads and jewelry. Place it in your office and store pens and paper clips to maintain an organized space.

Essentially a miniature ecosystem, a homemade terrarium can bring the refreshing outdoors in your home. Upcycling an old vase is a low maintenance and unique way to create a terrarium. The size of the plants you select will depend on the size of your old vase. The wider the vase is, the more space you will have for your plants. A glass or clean vase will help this project become a centerpiece of your home.

To make a homemade terrarium, lay down a first layer of gravel for drainage, followed by a layer of activated charcoal. The charcoal will help prevent mold and keep your terrarium fresh. Fill your old vase to about three quarters with a potting mix. Plant your chosen plants, decorate and mist with water.

Repurpose your old vase to make a stylish fruit display and place it in any desired location. The vase you choose should be large enough to accommodate various fruit sizes. It should also have a wide mouth so fruits can be added and removed easily. A glass or ceramic vase can be a good option for this project.

To make your fruit display appealing, add a wide array of fruits in differing colors, sizes and textures. Arrange them beautifully and place your display in a spot with good lighting to highlight the fruits. You can also decorate the vase with ribbons, lace or a fresh coat of paint. Add a couple of sprigs of herbs or flowers to complete the look.

Give your old vase a new life by turning it into a table lamp. Find a lamp kit from a hardware store and gather a wire cutter and screwdriver. The vase you choose must have a large opening for the lamp cord. Assemble the socket, cord and switch provided in the lamp kit based on the instruction manual.

Insert the assembled lamp kit into the vase carefully. Make sure the electrical components don’t touch the sides of the vase and are secured in place. You can use a wire or adhesive to hold the kit in place. If you’re using a wire, wrap it around the base of the lamp kit and the inside of the lamp. Twist it tightly to secure the base firmly in place.

Alternatively, if you use an adhesive like hot glue to epoxy; apply some carefully to the base of the lamp kit and press it against the bottom of the vase. For additional stability, you can also secure the cord and switch to the inside of the vase using small pieces of adhesive.

Create a DIY lampshade for the table lamp or buy one based on your preferences. Ensure that the lampshade is proportional to the size of the vase. Attach your shade to the socket and your work is done.