How I Transformed Old Kitchen Jars into Beautiful Craft Room Storage

I’ve had a few old jars from my aunt’s house tucked away for years. You know when you keep something because it feels too special to let go of… but you’re not quite sure what to do with it? That was these jars. They’ve sat in the garage in a box for years, not moving, while I waited for the “right” idea to come along.

I always remember they were the very first thing you saw when you walked into my Aunt's kitchen. They sat proudly on wall mounted shelves, filled with all the everyday essentials — flour, sugar, tea, baking powder, custard powder — all the simple cooking staples that made a house feel like home. There was nothing fancy about them, but they carried warmth, routine, and so many quiet memories.

At one point I thought about putting them in my own kitchen, but they just didn’t quite suit the space. I even considered painting the lids and using them outside with candles, but glass and outdoor candles didn’t feel like the best idea. So back into the garage box they went.

Then recently I had a little lightbulb moment. A few weeks ago, I painted some vintage-style mason jars and loved how they turned out. So I decided these precious jars deserved the same treatment. I gave them a good undercoat and then used some old water-based paints from my stash. I even pulled out my Dylusions paints, which worked beautifully — they just needed an extra top coat for a nice solid finish.

Now they’re sitting on the top shelf in my craft room, waiting for their final coat of sealer. They look completely different, yet somehow still feel the same. Isn’t it amazing how you can refresh something without losing its story?

And now I’m left with the sweetest little dilemma… what should I put in them? Buttons? Lace? Wooden embellishments? Or maybe I should fill them with something that reminds me of those kitchen days — just in a crafty kind of way.

Sometimes it’s not about the jar at all. It’s about the memories it holds — and finding a new way to keep them close. 💛

If you loved seeing these special jars get a second life, you might also enjoy reading about the time I gave some old mason jars a complete makeover.

A few weeks ago, I shared a blog post all about painting and transforming my vintage-style mason jars — from prep work and undercoating to layering colour and sealing them for a beautiful, lasting finish. It was one of those projects that started as a “let’s just see what happens” moment and turned into something I absolutely adored.

There’s something so satisfying about taking everyday glass jars and turning them into decorative pieces for your craft space. Whether they end up holding paintbrushes, lace, buttons, or little bits and pieces that make your heart happy, they become both practical and pretty. And let’s be honest… we love storage that doubles as décor!

If you missed that post, make sure you pop over and have a read. It walks you through the whole process and might just inspire you to look at those empty jars sitting in your cupboard a little differently.

Because sometimes the best projects aren’t the brand-new supplies… they’re the ones already sitting at home, waiting for a little creative love. 💛