Last Updated on December 18, 2012 by Kristi Linauer
Are you going to be entertaining this month? Anxious about how your table will look? I’m here to tell you that table centerpieces don’t have to be elaborate or costly to be pretty.
When my breakfast room was nearing completion, I knew I didn’t want to add yet one more complicated project to my “to do” list, and I certainly didn’t want to spend more money for something to decorate my table, so I looked around for things I already had on hand that I could use.
The answer? Jars. I’ve confessed many times that I’m a hoarder of empty glass jars. I can always find uses for them!
I gathered up four jars of varying sizes, shapes, and textures. My favorite is this little jelly jar…
I gave them all a coat of primer and then white spray paint, and then used jute twine and hot glue to cover up the threaded tops of the jars.
I gathered them together on a herringbone tray that I made a few months ago, added a couple of candles, and then added some fresh flowers. I had everything on hand except for the flowers, and they were $4 per bunch. So my total expense was $8.
I love almost-no-cost decorating! Don’t you?
This project was for my condo breakfast room makeover. Click here to see the whole before and after of the breakfast room makeover.
Or click on the thumbnails below to see other DIY projects that I did for my condo breakfast room makeover.
Easy & Inexpensive Use-What-You-Have Centerpiece
Re-reupholstered Dining Chairs
My “New” Stained Chevron Table
DIY: Iridescent Watercolor “Fish Scale” Artwork
DIY: Decorative Pillows With Variegated Yarn Design
DIY: Easy Three-Fabric Decorative Pillows
Inexpensive DIY Wood Slat Ceiling
DIY: Chevron Wood Table Top With Distressed Painted Finish
The REAL Dining Chair Before & After
DIY Project: How To Make A Herringbone Serving Tray
Painted Label Treat Jars
Pillow With Flower and Lettering Applique and Notched Flange Trim
Picture Frame Serving Tray
The New & Improved Pet Station
Pet Station Created From Vintage Secretary Desk
How To Build A Banquette Bench With Storage
Lined Valance With Contrasting Fabric Band
My Beautiful Painted 
Hand Painted Family Name Sign
Chalkboard Tags For Baskets
DIY: Make A Burlap & Ribbon Tassel
Upholstered Headboard With A Wood Frame
Plywood Table Top With Iron-On Edge Banding
The Concrete Floor Diaries, Day 5 & 6 (and clarifying what it’s NOT)
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I hope you’ll join me on my DIY and decorating journey! If you want to follow my projects and progress, you can subscribe below and have each new post delivered to your email inbox. That way you’ll never miss a thing!
14 Comments
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December 12, 2012 at 2:28 pmI am a big fan of using what you got to decorate.
Jean
December 12, 2012 at 2:32 pmI was going to ask about the center piece. I thought it might be the Snowy Winter Candleholders Made With Epsom Salt. The center piece looks very pretty. Adds just the right touch!
Danielle
December 12, 2012 at 4:45 pmI, too, am a hoarder of glass jars! Can you share some more ideas in a future post?? I can’t bear to toss them, but they are taking over my craft cupboard 😉
Lynn Davison
December 12, 2012 at 4:21 pmLOVE this centerpiece! Beautiful and frugal. Well done.
Heather
December 12, 2012 at 8:30 pmLove this no-cost decorating idea!!! Thx for sharing, Heather
Monica Benson
December 12, 2012 at 8:33 pmHello, my name is Monica and I also am a hoarder of used glass jars. Love this post and can’t wait to excavate some of my jars from the back of a kitchen cabinet for a cute display like yours.
Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way
December 12, 2012 at 9:54 pmWhat a great idea! Your painted jars are so cute! Thanks for sharing the great idea!
Leslie
Barbara @ DIY Home Staging Tips
December 13, 2012 at 12:41 amI hang onto jars, too, but until now I’ve never convinced myself that they were display-worthy. Now I see that by disguising the threads they look downright sexy! Thanks for another terrific idea, Kristi.
And I always felt that those little diamond pattern jelly jars should be in the Museum of Modern Art as a classic. I NEVER throw those away. Now they can come out of the cupboard.
Runt
December 13, 2012 at 10:44 amI am a hoarder of glass jars too! I have a whole cabinet full! This is such a cute idea!
Lisa T
December 13, 2012 at 12:27 pmI totally get the jar collecting thing! I have tons of them! And always love projects that don’t require more expense and more stuff! Great job!
Sue
December 14, 2012 at 8:01 amVery pretty and fresh looking for a centerpiece. I also think your epsom salt candle jars would look pretty in the tray. Lots of options and most for very little or no cost. Always a plus!
Jessica
December 14, 2012 at 6:22 pmLove these! I’m planning my wedding and going for a classic vintage/rustic look/feel that is low cost and DIY, so this is like perfect!
Susan
December 19, 2012 at 12:05 amI love this! I have been saving glass jars that I normally would have sent to recycle- perfect project!
trendy home design
January 6, 2013 at 11:57 amSo simple but so effective! Now to get some jars in…