The Best Ways to Reuse Your Candle Jars

Candles can instantly make a minuscule apartment feel like an actual home, or at least the beginnings of one. But extra light and soothing scents are just half of the fun; the vessel itself can be just the piece of decor your bookshelf or bathroom needed. You know how to make your candle last, and when the wax is all gone? A candle container is full of possibility, no matter the size. See below for upcycling ideas from brands that recognize a candle can have many lives.

Photo: Courtesy of Otherland

Miniature
You can find a use for even the smallest candle. These little ones can be a functional part of your desk (small office supplies like paper clips and thumbtacks), your bathroom (dental floss picks and bobby pins), and your bar cart—shot glasses, anyone?

Medium
A medium-sized vessel is great for holding keys by the front door, lip glosses on your vanity, or matches and a candlewick trimmer. Abigail Stone, founder of Otherland, suggests storing "the ever-disappearing Apple TV remote" in your empty glassware. "In designing our candles we kept in mind that the product s lifetime goes beyond when the wax is finished. My go-to uses are holding makeup brushes, flowers as a bud vase, my favorite fine-tip pens on my desk, and colorful striped paper straws and cocktail accoutrements on my bar cart," she told Vogue.

Photo: Courtesy of Mr Essentialist

Large
Bigger candles are an excellent way to display plants and flowers; P.F. Candle Co.’s Terra collection was specifically designed to serve as planters. Kristen Pumphrey, the brand s founder, grows pothos and heart leaf philodendrums in her Terra vessel.

Deluxe/Outdoor
The team at Diptyque suggests reusing your largest candles in the kitchen to double as a receptacle for tongs, spatulas, and wooden spoons. "You could consider storing some items in the vessel that correspond to the name of the candle. Thé (tea candle) is perfect for storing tea bags," Mary Wallace, Diptyque s Marketing Manager, recommends.

Photo: Courtesy of Régime des Fleurs

Lids and containers
Régime des Fleurs stunning bisque porcelain candles come in lucite boxes which were designed to be upcycled. From cotton pads to fruit, the squares chicly display any item. And don t prematurely toss the lids to your candles—they make great jewelry dishes.