100 Glass Jar Storage Ideas

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Glass jars of any type are versatile storage solutions for the entire home and I use them for many different tasks in my own home. These 100 glass jar storage ideas include how to store empty jars and how to use glass jars into your home organization systems.

Mason jars and others be used to organize the pantry, the refrigerator, bathroom essentials, hold craft supplies, store small workshop items, and even serve as pen holders. I often repurpose jars that pantry items come in. Other times I purchase lovely Ball Jars in specialty colors.

They offer practical and visually appealing ways to keep your space organized.

Benefits of Using Glass Jars for Storage

Glass jars are not only beautiful to look at but also offer many benefits for storage.

One of the main advantages is their non-porous nature, which means they won’t absorb odors, flavors, or stains from the contents stored within. This makes glass containers perfect for preserving the freshness and quality of food items such as spices, herbs, and homemade jams.

I have found for years that they’re affordable storage containers. I often upcycle and use jars that I’d otherwise toss into the recycling bin. If I’m using glass jars for food storage, I make sure they’re food safe and free of chips or cracks. A good rule of thumb is if the jar contained food when I purchased it, it’s most likely food safe.   ***Always purchase jars and lids designed for canning if you are using jars to can foods.

Because they’re transparent, they allow easy identification of the contents without having to open them, making it convenient to locate items in a pantry or fridge.

With airtight lids, they make excellent containers for decanting food items.

Food safe glass doesn’t release any harmful chemicals when in contact with food. Unlike plastic containers which can leach chemicals into their contents over time, glass jars provide a safe and healthy option for storing edibles.

They’re easy to care for and maintain.

They’re versatile storage products that can be used for many different items throughout the home.

I love that glass containers are environmentally friendly because they can last for years, even decades. It’s recyclable.

Because they’re clear, it’s easy to keep track of the inventory or amount of items and ingredients. This helps you not run out of thing and also not overbuy.

I find that glass jars adds an aesthetic appeal to kitchen storage. They create a visually pleasing display  and visual charm that’s hard to beat with other options.

I remind clients that glass containers work as well in drawer for organization as they do on shelves or in cabinets.

How to Store Empty Glass Jars

If you’re using jars of any type to organize your kitchen or home, knowing how to safely store empty glass jars is essential.

To start, make sure the jars are completely clean and dry to prevent mold or bacteria growth.

Consider how to protect the interior of the jars from dust during storage or you’ll have to wash them again before use.

Select storage options that will protect the jars from breakage. That means don’t just stack them precariously on a shelf and hope for the best.

1. Stack them: Place the mason jars vertically in a sturdy box or on a shelf, stacking them one on top of another. Make sure to leave some space between each jar to prevent them from rolling or sliding. You can use a layer of cardboard between the levels of jars to provide added stability.
2. Utilize a storage rack: Invest in a storage rack that is designed to hold jars. These racks often have multiple tiers or shelves, providing an efficient way to store and organize your empty jars.
3. Use a hanging organizer: Purchase or make a hanging organizer with pockets or compartments specifically designed for mason jars. This allows you to store multiple jars in a compact and organized manner.
4. Create a DIY storage system: Get creative and repurpose items such as wooden crates, soda crates, shoe organizers, or spice racks to create a customized storage system for your jars. Make sure the jars are seated securely, ensuring they are stable and won’t tip over.
5. Use a drawer organizer: If you have a drawer available, use a drawer organizer with compartments to neatly store your empty jars. You can use spring loaded drawer dividers or even pieces of cardboard or paper towels to keep the jars from knocking together when you open and close the drawers.
6. Store them in a pantry or cabinet: Dedicate a designated area in your pantry or cabinet for storing empty mason jars. Arrange them in rows or stack them on shelves, making sure they are stable and won’t fall.
7. Display them on open shelves: If you have open shelving in your kitchen or pantry, use it to display your empty mason jars. This not only adds a decorative touch but also keeps the jars easily accessible for future use.
8. Store them in a plastic bin or container: Place your empty mason jars in a plastic bin or container with a lid. Label the container for easy identification and stack multiple containers if needed.
9. Group similar-sized glass containers together in baskets or bins to create an aesthetically pleasing display while saving space.

Glass Jar Storage Ideas

Storing Items in the Kitchen

Glass containers are considered safer for storing food items, especially those that may contain chemicals or additives. Glass is non-toxic and does not leach any harmful substances into your food, ensuring the safety of your kitchen staples and food.

Using clear containers for storage helps keep your pantry, refrigerator and kitchen organized. With clear containers you can easily visually distinguish between the contents. For items that look similar, you can label the jars with the contents. This makes it convenient to find what you need and maintain a tidy space.

Sort pantry staples by category before transferring them into jars. Choose complimentary jars for the storage of a category. This method keeps similar items together and creates a harmonious look.

Choose from the wide variety of sizes of mason jars for different needs. Small jars work well for spices, while larger jars can store flour or sugar.

Label each jar with its contents and date of storage. Labels act as visual cues, helping you find what you need without rummaging. You can tape directions to the back of the jar or under the top of the lid.

Use wide-mouth jars for bulky items, like snack bars, or items that require scooping, like flour or coffee. The accessibility makes it easier to grab-and-go.

Stackable lid designs save space and maintain order on shelves. Always ensure lids fit snugly to preserve the freshness of pantry goods.

Consider grouping three jars together for aesthetic balance; this visually appealing trio offers both form and function.

Open shelving showcases your organized jars, motivating you to keep them orderly.

Kitchen Storage

They’re perfect in cabinets for storing:

They work well in the refrigerator or freezer for storing:

Jars can be repurposed as drinking glasses. You can store drinks in the fridge and then serve them straight away.

Jars can also be used for lunches as a convenient grab-and-go meal storage and serving option.

Organizing Bathroom Essentials

Clear jars also make clever organization for your bathroom. They are excellent for keeping countertops clear and items within reach.

Be sure to consider safety since these containers are breakable when you have children or older family members that may have difficulty managing breakable glass in the bathroom.

Use jars to save space and add charm to your bathroom:

Store cotton balls and swabs in small jars for easy access. You’ll have a daily reminder of how many are left so you’re sure to never run out.

Use jars as holders for toothbrushes or makeup brushes. A wide-mouth jar works well to keep these items upright and separated. The glass makes for quick easy clean up which is needed more frequently with these types of items.

Keep bath salts and homemade scrubs in containers near the tub. This not only keeps them airtight but also adds a cute touch to your bathroom decor.

Organize hair ties, clips, and bobby pins in small jars. You can easily find what you need without digging through drawers. Larger containers can be used for fabric headbands, scrunchies and similar items.

Fill a mason jar with liquid soap or lotion for a DIY dispenser. Add a pump lid to turn an ordinary jar into a stylish bathroom accessory.

Arrange your nail polish collection inside quart – sized or larger jars. This way, you can choose colors at a glance instead of rummaging through bags or boxes. You can make a nail kit by keeping nail clippers, files and other accessories in a coordinated container.

Keep small tools, such as tweezers, scissors, etc., in glass containers. This keeps them readily accessible so you no longer have to dig through the bottom of the drawer to find them.

Store the backstock of items like soaps, toothbrushes and travel-sized toiletries. These items can also make pretty displays on shelves.

Tuck away cleaning supplies under the sink using glass jars. They’re great for storing sponges, scouring pads, and gloves neatly together. Again, they’re easy to clean up and maintain.

Tools and Workbench Organization

Put glass jars to work on your workbench for storing small tools and other items. They have been a staple for toolbox item storage for decades. Here are some popular options:

Use smaller-sized jars to hold nails, screws, nuts, washers and other hardware. This will keep them organized and easily accessible for any DIY projects. If you have more than a few of each different type of hardware, sort them into smaller containers. If you only have a handful, then you can keep them together in one larger jar. Categories the hardware to make it easy for you to find and use what you need.

Attach the lids of jars underneath a shelf or cabinet to create a handy storage solution for hardware and small hand tools like screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers.

Create a portable tool kit by placing essential small tools in securely shut jar. This will keep everything together and easy to grab when needed.

Use larger jars to store paintbrushes, pencils, rulers or other similar items in your workspace.

Secure jars to a pegboard or wall-mounted organizer to keep things like nuts, bolts, and washers neatly stored and visible. You can use a duct clamp to create a wall-mounted holder for jars.

Office Organization

Jars work well to keep your office space tidy and organized. They can also add a charming touch to your work area.

Creative ways to use mason jars for office organization are:

Desk organizer: Use jars to store pens, pencils, markers, and other office supplies on your desk. You can also attach the jars to a wooden board or mount them on the wall for easy access. Use a duct clamp to create a wall-mounted holder for jars.

Paperclip and rubber band holder: Keep small office supplies like paperclips, rubber bands, and push pins in jars to prevent clutter on your desk. Small containers can fit neatly into a desk drawer to clear more desk space for work.

Cord storage: Tired of tangled cords creating a mess in your workspace? Use  jars to neatly store and organize charging cables, headphones, and other cords.

Office supply station: Create a designated area in your office for storing extra office supplies such as sticky notes, clips, and scissors by using larger jars as storage containers.

Mail sorter: Use multiple large jars to create a stylish mail sorting system on your desk or wall. Label each jar with categories like “incoming,” “outgoing,” and “to file” . The limited space of the jars is a great way to ensure you don’t allow mail to grow into an overflowing pile.

Business card organizer: Keep business cards neatly organized by storing them in labeled jars instead of letting them clutter up your desk drawers. Limit the size of the container to force you to edit the cards you’re keeping. Only keep ones you will actually reference in the future.

Laundry Room Organization

Your laundry room does a lot of work for your family, yet you don’t usually spend much time actually in the laundry room, so it’s a place that can often become cluttered and overwhelming. Utilizing glass jars for organization can help keep the space tidy and functional. With the great variety of sizes available, you’re sure to find ones that will work for most of your laundry room organizing needs.

Use them to:

Store detergent pods, keeping them easily accessible and neatly organized.

Store powdered detergent with a scoop, keeping it easily available.

Organize dryer sheets, preventing them from getting wrinkled or dusty, ensuring they stay fresh and effective.

Keep clothespins, preventing them from getting lost or scattered around the laundry room.

Store sewing supplies, using smaller containers to organize sewing supplies such as buttons, needles, and thread for easy access when needed.

Create a stain remover station, storing homemade or store-bought stain removers for quick access when dealing with laundry stains.

Create a “lost sock” jar, making it easy to keep track of unmatched socks until their pair is found.

Loose button storage, helping you easily find the buttons you need when sewing or repairing clothes.

Craft Room Storage

Glass jars are a versatile and aesthetic solution for organizing your craft room. Not only do they provide a clear view of the contents, but their uniform shape and size create a cohesive look on your shelves or workspace.

Their transparent nature also makes it easy to find what you’re looking for so you never have to interrupt your creative flow due to find missing materials. Being able to see what you have also helps you not run out of items or overbuy supplies because you don’t know what you have.

Use jars in your craft space to keep:

• Small craft supplies such as beads, buttons, and sequins
• Embroidery floss and threads
• Ribbons and trims
• Washi tape and decorative tapes
• Small stamps and ink pads

• Safety pins and sewing needles
• Small tools like scissors, rulers, and measuring tapes
• Paintbrushes and art supplies
• Glue sticks and adhesive dots

• Embellishments like rhinestones, charms, and paper flowers
• Craft punches and die cuts
• Stickers and labels
• Small paper scraps or die-cuts for collage or card-making
• Elastic bands and clothes pins for organizing

In addition to their functionality, these classic jars also add an element of decorative charm to your craft room. By using different shapes and sizes of jars, you can create visually appealing displays that showcase the vibrant colors and textures of your crafting materials.

With some simple labeling or even painting the jar lids in coordinating hues, you can customize the look further and bring a touch of personality into your organizational system.

My Favorite Glass Jar Products

Choosing the right size jar

Pick the ideal jar size according to the volume and type of items you plan to store.

Remember to always match your storage needs with the appropriate jar size to maintain an organized and clutter-free space while catering to various items’ sizes and quantities.

If your organizing needs change, the container and be repurposed for storage in another part of your home. That’s part of the beauty of using glass jars, you can use them over and over again for years.

Mason jar accessories

1. Create storage that works perfectly for your needs by adding simple accessories to your glass containers, even upcycled jars that would otherwise be recycled. Always be sure to check the size of the jar opening before purchasing lids.
2. Choose the right lid: There are different types of specialty tops available, such as regular metal lids, plastic storage caps, and even flip-top ones. Select the one that best suits your storage needs.
3. Get airtight seals: Look for silicone seals or gaskets that can help create an airtight seal for preserving food items or keeping small items safe and secure.
4. Labeling accessories: Invest in chalkboard labels, label tags, or marker pens to easily identify the contents of each jar.
5. Pour spouts: These handy accessories can be attached to the mouth of the jar to allow for easy pouring of liquids like salad dressings or syrups without making a mess.

More Storage Ideas

You can find all our best organizing and storage solutions in the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.