Turn Old, Boring Glass Jars Into A Stunning Centerpiece With This DIY

Are you looking for a dynamic, lively way to dress up your dining table? Surprisingly, a few old jars are perfect for crafting an easy yet elegant centerpiece. Whether you have a stash of mason or food jars, any glass jar can be upcycled for this project. With a few floating candles, water, and some flowers, greenery, or fruit, your old jars will be transformed into glowing, nature-inspired decor.

No matter what time of year it is, this DIY will help you create the perfect all-natural centerpiece for each season that'll brighten your table. Use real leaves, herbs, petals, flowers, twigs, and berries from your yard to fill your floating candle jar, or take cuttings from plants. Slices of fruits like limes, lemons, grapefruit, or oranges will also look gorgeous and vibrant in this centerpiece. Otherwise, faux greenery and florals will work just as well. To make the centerpiece look even more stunning, TikToker danslelakehouse etched small star designs onto the glass before assembling the floating candle.

Repurposing old jars that would otherwise be thrown away makes this craft very inexpensive. Plus, using herbs, flowers, or leaves from your garden or yard keeps this DIY cost-effective and eco-conscious. If you don't have any floating candles in your craft supplies, Hobby Lobby carries round floating candles for about $2 each. Unfortunately, basic tealights tend to sink and aren't the best choice for this project.

Martha Stewart uses glass dishes to make floating flower arrangements, and this floating candle centerpiece has a similar vibe. Depending on how you make it, the florals and leaves will float below the candle, creating a beautiful, natural look. First, remove any labels and stuck-on glue from the jar. Arrange your flowers or fruit inside the glass jar. It should look full but not stuffed, leaving room for the water. Alternatively, place pebbles in the bottom of the jar to hold the cut stem of a flower to keep it from floating to the top.

Now, fill the jar with water, covering the natural decorations. If you have trouble with cloudy tap water, using distilled water will ensure your centerpiece looks clear. Finally, place the floating candle on top. While round floating candles look pretty, shaped versions can add to the decor's aesthetic. For example, Michaels has a floating rose candle for $3. With a similar technique, you can DIY Christmas floating candles with ornaments inside.

Because the flowers and greenery sit below the candle, it's important to fill the jar with enough water to keep the flame away from the leaves and petals. Additionally, many food jars, including mason jars, are made of glass that isn't tempered. Because of this, it's crucial not to allow the candle to burn for so long that the glass becomes hot enough to crack.

If you still think your jar looks boring, try etching the glass before putting your centerpiece together. In her video, the DIYer taped stencils of diamond-shaped stars onto the glass. However, you could choose another image or design, such as florals. Then, she etched the design onto the glass using a tub and tile etching cream. While this method works, there are products designed specifically for glass. Hobby Lobby's glass etching cream, available for $5, should work for this project.

After securing your stencil onto the glass, rub the etching cream over the design with a popsicle stick. Wash it away with warm water after about 10 minutes to reveal your etching. Now, simply assemble your floating candle centerpiece inside the etched container.

Once you have several jars, it's time to arrange them. Place three or more floating candles on your table for a stunning display. Using jars of different sizes or heights can help to make your centerpiece look more dynamic. Add small, short candles around your DIY floating decor for the ultimate festive centerpiece.