Inside: Ideas for upcycling existing vases or transforming other objects into an upcycled vase.
I love to decorate my home with flowers; it’s a great way to bring colour and nature into any space. In spring, there are bunches of tulips and daffodils. But I have lots of faux flowers made from fabric and paper that I display all year round.
So I’m always on the hunt for new vases. Sometimes I will repurpose another object, such as an empty bottle or jar, into a vase. Another time I’ll transform an existing vase to fit my decor.
Charity/thrift stores are full of cheap old ugly vases that can be repurposed into something unique with just a little imagination. No need to spend money on expensive designer vases when you can easily create a knock-off version with a thrift store vase. You’ll find a couple of good Anthropologie-style knock-offs in the list below.
Upcycling vases is a fun and practical way to reduce waste, save money, and express creativity. Here are 35 clever and unique ways to make upcycled vases you want in your home.
A collection of upcycled vases made from either repurposed existing vases or objects that once had another purpose, such as bottles, jars, and even a football!
Many upcycles are very straightforward and involve just a bit of clever painting. Others use creative techniques such as paper mache, decoupage and plastering.
How To Make Cute Upcycled Mini Bud Vases
An upcycled tutorial on upcycling small yoghurt bottles, such as Yakult bottles, into cute Marimekko mini flower bud vases. This is an example of upcycling household waste into beautiful vases.
How To Make A Beautiful Fabric Decoupage Vase
This is an example of upcycling a boring existing vase into something special. It is easy to do all you need are some fabric scraps and glue.
Anthropologie Knock Off Vase Upcycling A Dollar Store Vase
It's amazing what you can do with paint. The knockoff version was just a plain glass vase before its remarkable transformation into an Anthropologie-style vase.
How To Make An Upcycled Leather Boho DIY Vase
The leather used for this Boho-style vase was once part of a leather couch. You could also repurpose leather from a jacket or handbag and use faux leather.
DIY Black Aged Pottery
Upcycle a thrift store vase by giving it an on-trend vintage pottery look with chalk paint and plaster. This is a fun technique to learn that can be used to transfer many other vases.
Anthropologie inspired illustrated vases
Lucy at Craftberry Bush paints gorgeous flowers. She upcycled various thrift store vases with Anthropologie-inspired florals just using glass paint.
DIY Mercury Glass Vase
Give a modern vase a beautiful antique effect using mercury glass spray paint.
How To Make A Denim Hanging Mason Jar Vase
Believe it or not, no Mason jars were harmed in making this unique wall vase, but some jeans were upcycled! This craft also involves a bit of paper mache.
Broken Mug Wall Vase
If you break one of your favourite mugs, don't bin it. Upcycle it into a cute mini wall vase.
Aluminium can vase
Make a beautiful colourful vase by simply painting an empty beer can. These painted cans would also make great handmade candle containers.
How To Make A Beautiful DIY Decoupage Chinoiserie Vase
Upcycle a cheap dollar-store glass vase with paper napkin decoupage to make an expensive-looking chinoiserie vase.
DIY Galvanized Zinc Vase
A clever repurposing of corrugated cardboard and tin cans to make these Anthropologie style farmhouse vases.
Light Bulb Flower Vase
Before you throw out those old burnt-out retro lightbulbs, why not turn one into a cute vase?
Textured upcycled vase with DIY plaster paint
Use plaster paint to give an old vase an on-trend textured look. The vase before the revamp was very shiny and dull, but now it looks much more enjoyable with the cracked plaster look.
How To Make a Cute Paper Vase Sleeve
Any glass jar, plastic bottle or yoghurt pot can be upcycled into a gorgeous vase with one of these sleeves made of wallpaper samples.
Upcycled Lampshade Vases
These beautiful colourful vases were once glass lampshades. The blue hanging vase looks fabulous.
Make A Wine Bottle Wall Vase
This is a clever way to use copper pipping brackets to make a wall-mounted wine bottle vase. I think this would look great with pretty gin bottles too.
How To Make Beautiful Hand Painted Glass Bud Vases
These bud vases would make a gorgeous Mother's Day gift. Learn how to colour any glass any colour for an update.
DIY Minimal Textured Upcycled Vase
Use builders' caulk and baking powder to upcycle a glass jar into this lovely minimal textured vase.
DIY Graffiti Flower Vases
Use leftover spray paints to create graffiti-style upcycled vases.
DIY Flower Vase from a Plastic Bottle
The tutorial shows you how to remove the labels without chemicals and then take the tops off plastic bottles to make repurposed vases.
Cozy Sweater Covered Vases
Cut the sleeve of an old wool sweater and use it to repurpose a glass vase for your winter mantle.
Inspired by DIY | Kate Spade Inspired Vase
She saw a beautiful vase in Kade Spade she couldn't afford, so she made her beautiful knock-off version by upcycling a ceramic utensil pot. I prefer this version to the original designer one.
How to Chalk Paint Glass Milk Bottles
Paint retro glass milk bottles with chalk paint to make the cutest little vases.
Anthropologie Textured Pot Dupe
Another Anthropologie-inspired vase upcycle. Beads and plaster were added to a plain glass vase for a trendy new look.
DIY Globe Flower Vase
A fun idea for those with wanderlust, repurpose an old globe into a colourful vase.
DIY Painted Vases With Texture
Corey shows you how to create texture on glass and then make these wonderful West Elm inspired upcycled vases.
Faking a Cloisonne Vase
Old cut glass floristry vases from the thrift store can be upcycled into Arabesque faux Cloisonne vases with some paint and imagination.
DIY Faux Clay Vases
It's hard to believe that these were once glass. The clay effect works so well, and the dusky pink is a gorgeous spring colour.
A DIY Wall Vase From Repurposed Broken China Teacups
If you chip your favourite teacup, save it and upcycle it into a cute wall vase. There is also a tutorial for paper flowers. Check out these other teacup crafts.
How to Make a Vase with Twigs | Hearth and Vine
Add twigs to a plastic bottle to make a beautiful, inspired-by-nature vase.
Upcycled Football Vase
This is a vase for Superbowl fans. You can make one out of an old rugby ball if you live elsewhere in the world.
DIY Painted Anthropologie Vase
With paint and decoupage, repurpose a maple syrup bottle into a fun Anthropologie knock-off vase.
Painting Glass Vases with Terracotta
Use special spray paint to make old glass jugs look like terracotta vases.
DIY Recycled Easter Bunny Vases
Showcase your spring flowers in a cute, crafted bunny made with paint and an old jar.
Paper Embroidery and Embroidered Paper Vase Tutorial
All you need is a plastic bottle, paper and floss to make these gorgeous boho embroidered paper vases.
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Other Upcycling Ideas
If you want more beginner-upcycled projects, check out these upcycled clocks.
Many everyday objects can also be upcycled into planters using similar techniques. Check out these upcycled tin can planter ideas. A set of tin cans have even been repurposed into precious Oriental Ming vases.
You’ll find a comprehensive A to Z of clever upcycling ideas for the home here.