10 Brilliant Upcycling Ideas for Old Mason Jars in the Kitchen

If you have a cabinet where old mason jars go to retire, welcome. You are among friends. I love a mason jar because it is basically the golden retriever of the DIY world: dependable, happy to work, and weirdly versatile.

Below are 10 kitchen-ready upcycling ideas that turn “extra jars” into honest-to-goodness storage and organization. I’ll keep it simple, step-by-step, and realistic. If you mess up a hole placement or your first label looks a little crooked, congratulations. You are officially doing DIY correctly.

Quick note on the “Marcus tip” thing: Marcus is the imaginary neighbor in my head who has the right tool

Before you start: quick jar check

• Inspect for chips and cracks: Save damaged jars for non-food uses (like holding screws) or recycle them.
• Know your lid types: Two-piece canning lids (ring + flat) are great for mounting. One-piece lids are fine for dry storage but can be harder to mount cleanly.
• Wash and deodorize: Hot soapy water works. For stubborn smells, soak in warm water with a splash of vinegar.
• Food storage note: Upcycled jars are great for dry goods and leftovers. For long-term canning, stick with proper canning practices and new, undented flats.

1) Under-cabinet spice rack

This is the classic mason jar glow-up: spices stored hanging under the cabinet so your counter stays clear. The jar mouth is up inside the ring, and the base points down toward the counter. Nothing dumps out when you unscrew it. We like our paprika contained.

What you’ll need

• Small mason jars (4 oz or 8 oz work best)
• Jar rings (the screw bands)
• Short screws (#6 x 1/2 in usually works)
• Optional: small washers (helpful if your ring has limited flat spots)
• Drill/driver

Steps

1. Test-fit first: Hold a ring under the cabinet, then screw a jar in and make sure it clears the cabinet face frame and neighboring jars.
2. Mark two screw locations. Some rings have one “easy” flat area, so use what the ring gives you. If the metal flexes, add washers for a better bite.
3. Pre-drill small pilot holes. This prevents splitting and makes your screws actually go where you want them.
4. Screw the ring up snug (not warped).
5. Fill the jar with spices, then twist the jar into the mounted ring.

Spacing tip: Leave about 1 to 1.5 inches between jar bodies, or just mount one ring, hang one jar, and use that as your real-world spacing guide before you commit to the whole row.

Labeling tip: Since the jar bottoms face down, labels work best on the lid (or on the jar side).

Marcus tip: If your cabinet bottom is thin or crumbly particleboard, do not trust two tiny screws with your entire spice collection. Mount a small wood strip first, then screw the rings into that strip.

2) Mason jar soap dispenser

Store-bought soap dispensers love to break right when guests are coming over. A jar dispenser is sturdy, refillable, and looks like you meant to do it.

What you’ll need

• Mason jar with lid
• Soap pump (from an old bottle or a new pump kit)
• Drill with step bit or metal hole saw
• Rubber gasket or a bead of silicone (optional but helpful)
• Sandpaper or a deburring tool

Steps

1. Set the lid on a scrap wood block and clamp it so it cannot spin.
2. Mark the lid center. If you have one, use a center punch (or a nail tap) to keep the bit from wandering.
3. Drill a hole sized for your pump stem. Go slow.
4. Deburr the hole with sandpaper so you do not create a surprise metal razor.
5. Insert pump, tighten its nut (if included), or seal with silicone.
6. Fill jar and screw the lid on.

Safety: Wear eye protection and keep hands clear. Skip gloves around rotating drill bits because they can catch.

3) Hanging produce storage

If you are short on pantry space, hanging jars can keep a few items off the counter while still within reach.

Best for

• Garlic bulbs (very dry)
• Shallots (very dry)
• Small onions (very dry, short-term)
• Lemons and limes (if you use them quickly)

How to build it

1. Mount jar rings to the underside of a shelf or a wall-mounted board.
2. Use wide-mouth jars for easier loading.
3. Do not seal produce. Keep mouths open, keep produce dry, and rotate often.

Important reality check: Onions and garlic want airflow and low moisture. If your jars get even a little damp inside, you are basically building a tiny sprout-and-mold condo. In that case, switch to a wire basket and call it a win.

Marcus tip: Jars are glass, not magic. If airflow is not great, do not force it.

4) Pantry scoop jars

Wide-mouth jars are perfect for flour, sugar, oats, rice, and snacks, especially if you add a scoop that stays put.

What you’ll need

• Wide-mouth mason jars
• Small scoops or measuring cups
• Command hooks or small S-hooks (optional)

Simple setup

1. Fill jar with dry goods.
2. Slide a scoop inside handle-up.
3. If you prefer, hook the scoop to the jar ring with an S-hook.

Food note: For flour and sugar, keep jars away from the stove so humidity does not turn your pantry into a science experiment.

5) Fridge leftover jars

Glass jars make leftovers easier to see. Plus, they do not hold smells like some plastic does.

How to use them well

• Choose straight-sided jars for soups, sauces, and chopped veggies.
• Leave about 1 inch of headspace for anything warm.
• Let food cool a bit before sealing and refrigerating.
• Label with what it is and the date. Your future self deserves that kindness.

Reheating note: Not all mason jars are microwave-safe, and they are not oven or stovetop cookware. When in doubt, transfer food to a pot or a microwave-safe bowl. If you do microwave in a jar, warm gently and avoid sudden temperature changes.

Safety: Do not pour boiling liquid into a cold jar straight from the fridge. Temper the jar first with warm water.

6) Utensil crock

Big mason jars are great for spatulas, wooden spoons, whisks, and the one pair of tongs you would save in a fire.

Make it stable

• Use a quart jar or larger.
• Add a handful of decorative stones or clean washers in the bottom for weight.
• Stick felt pads under the jar if your counters scratch easily.

7) Pour spout for oils

If you buy olive oil in bigger containers, a small jar with a pour spout makes cooking easier and less drippy.

What you’ll need

• Small mason jar
• Pour spout (bottle pourer style) that fits your jar opening

How to use it

1. Fill jar with oil, vinegar, or simple syrup.
2. Insert pour spout snugly.
3. Wipe the rim before inserting to reduce leaks.

Marcus tip: Keep oil away from direct sunlight to slow down rancidity.

8) Magnetic jar storage

This one pulls double-duty: use it in the kitchen for spices, or in a utility drawer for tiny parts. The idea is the same: magnet on the lid, jar sticks to a metal surface.

What you’ll need

• Small mason jars with flat lids
• Strong neodymium magnets
• Two-part epoxy or high-strength adhesive
• A metal surface (fridge side, metal backsplash panel, or a mounted steel strip)

Steps

1. Clean and dry the top of the lid.
2. Epoxy the magnet to the lid and let it cure fully.
3. Fill jar, close it, and stick to your metal surface.

Safety: Neodymium magnets pinch hard and can be dangerous if swallowed. Keep them away from kids. If anyone in your home has a pacemaker or medical implant, follow the device guidance for magnet proximity.

Spice note: Clear jars plus direct sun is not great for spice flavor. Put magnetic spice jars on the fridge side away from sunny windows, or pick a shaded spot.

9) Sink caddy

A jar by the sink keeps dish brushes upright and contained. Bonus points if you add drainage.

Two ways to do it

• Simple: Drop brushes in an open jar and rinse it weekly.
• Better: Make a quick drain insert (like a trimmed plastic cup with holes) that sits inside the jar, or drill a few holes in a spare lid and use it as a drip tray under the jar.

If you drill holes: Clamp the lid to scrap wood, tap a starter dimple with a nail, drill slowly, then sand off sharp edges.

Marcus tip: If you drill anything near the sink, do it at the workbench, not one-handed over the basin. Ask me how I know.

10) Drawer organizer

Not every upcycle needs a drill. Jars inside drawers are perfect for corralling the little stuff: tea packets, hot cocoa envelopes, sauce packets, or snack bars.

How to set it up

1. Measure your drawer height first so lids do not hit.
2. Use short jars and group by category.
3. Add a non-slip liner under the jars to prevent sliding.

Tools and supplies

• Drill/driver
• Step bit (great for metal lids)
• Small wood screws
• Two-part epoxy
• Sandpaper (for smoothing sharp lid edges)
• Silicone sealant (for pumps)
• Small clamps (seriously useful for lid drilling)

FAQs

Can I mount mason jars under any cabinet?

Most solid wood cabinets are fine. For particleboard, always pre-drill and keep screws short so you do not blow out the cabinet floor. If the cabinet bottom is thin or already damaged, mount a small wood strip first, then screw the rings into that strip.

Do mason jars actually keep spices fresh?

They do a solid job for everyday cooking, especially for whole spices. Keep jars away from heat and sunlight. If you cook a lot, you will use them up long before freshness becomes a big issue.

What is the best jar size for an under-cabinet spice rack?

4 oz jars are the sweet spot. They are light, easy to twist in and out, and they keep you from storing a lifetime supply of paprika you will never finish.

How do I remove sticky label residue?

Soak in warm soapy water, then rub with cooking oil or a citrus-based remover. A plastic scraper helps. Avoid razor blades on glass if you can because one slip can chip the rim.

One last reminder

Upcycling works best when it solves a real annoyance in your kitchen. Pick one idea from this list that fixes a daily frustration and do that first. After that, you can graduate to the fun stuff like matching jars and pretending you have your life together. I support both paths.