Apothecary jars are making a major comeback in home decor and organization. These vintage-looking jars and bottles provide a unique way to store everything from cotton balls to dry goods in style. With their antique pharmacy vibe, apothecary jars add a rustic and natural touch to modern kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. Let’s explore the endless possibilities of using apothecary jars for stylish organization and storage.
What Are Apothecary Jars?
Apothecary jars are glass jars and bottles that usually have a wide mouth and flat lid. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Apothecary jars get their name from their original use as containers for medicines, herbs, and tonics in old-fashioned pharmacies.
Today, the vintage pharmacy vibe of these jars makes them a popular storage option. Their classic look fits well with cottage, farmhouse, rustic, vintage, and industrial decor styles. The transparent glass showcases the contents while adding visual texture and interest.
Apothecary jars are versatile enough to store nearly anything. Their wide opening provides easy access to contents. The flat lid creates an airtight seal to keep items fresh and secure. They come in sizes ranging from tiny 2 oz bottles to 1-gallon jars. With so many possibilities, apothecary jars make both practical and stylish additions to any home.
Benefits of Using Apothecary Jars
Apothecary jars have many benefits beyond their charming vintage pharmacy look:
Visual Appeal – The glass jars let you display and admire your belongings. The variety of shapes, sizes, and colors provide plenty of options to suit your style.
Smart Storage – Wide mouths provide easy access to contents. Airtight lids keep items protected and fresh. Different sizes organize everything efficiently.
Eco-Friendly – Glass jars are reusable and recyclable. They eliminate waste from disposable plastics and bags.
Budget-Friendly – Inexpensive apothecary jars transform the look of shelves, cabinets, and counters. Stylish organization on a budget!
Rustic Charm – The old-fashioned pharmacy vibe of apothecary jars suits vintage, rustic, farmhouse, industrial and other eclectic decor styles beautifully. Their imperfections add character.
Endless Uses – Apothecary jars store nearly everything from bathroom essentials to craft supplies to kitchen staples. Their versatility makes them a smart addition to any home.
With all of these excellent benefits, it’s easy to see why apothecary jars are a top choice for home storage and organization today. Their stylish functionality suits nearly any space in the home.
Popular Ways to Use Apothecary Jars
The uses for apothecary jars are endless. Here are some of the most popular ways to incorporate these practical yet beautiful jars into home decor:
Bathroom Storage
The pharmacy vibe of apothecary jars makes them perfect for holding cotton balls, cotton swabs, soaps, bath salts, and other bathroom essentials. Cluster jars on counters or shelves to organize necessities while adding a spa-like charm. The see-through glass lets you find items easily while showing off pretty labels.
Kitchen Storage
Wide-mouth apothecary jars are ideal for storing dry goods like sugar, flour, coffee, tea, pasta, rice, beans, and more. Line them up on countertops, in pantries, or on open shelves to keep essentials organized and visible. The glass preserves freshness while showcasing each ingredient.
Craft Supplies
Crafters find apothecary jars invaluable for neatly corralling everything from buttons and beads to paper scraps, pom poms, and more. The clear glass makes it simple to see and select needed items. The jars keep supplies tidy on desktops, shelves, and drawers throughout a craft room.
Office Supplies
Pens, pencils, paper clips, push pins, and other office essentials find smart storage in apothecary jars. Arrange them on desks or shelving to keep supplies organized yet easily accessible. The clean-lined look suits any home office style.
First Aid
Apothecary jars make perfect first aid kits for bathrooms or kitchens. Fill them with bandages, gauze, thermometers, medical tape, antiseptic, and other healthcare basics. The pharmacy vibe fits first aid supplies perfectly while keeping them organized.
Display Collections
Show off small collections or trinkets in apothecary jars placed on shelves, bookcases, side tables, mantles, or anywhere you want to exhibit items beautifully. Fill jars with seashells, marbles, stones, toy cars, or anything you want to showcase in an organized way.
With so many possibilities, it’s easy to find innovative ways to incorporate apothecary jars into your home. Let your needs and imagination guide you toward smart storage solutions.
Tips for Styling Apothecary Jars
While apothecary jars naturally lend vintage farmhouse charm to any space, a few styling tips can take the look even further:
- Choose jars in different sizes and shapes to add visual interest through variety. Mix clear glass with tinted blues, greens, and browns for more depth.
- Display jars in groups or clusters for greater visual impact. Arranging 3-5 jars together on a shelf or counter looks more styled than single jars spread apart.
- Attach chalkboard labels to the front of jars using adhesive or twine. Write names of contents with chalk marker in a vintage script font.
- Tie raffia, burlap, or fabric around jar lids for a rustic touch. Choose natural jute or linen fabrics to enhance the farmhouse vibe.
- Fill empty jars partway with beans, pasta, sand, pebbles, dried flowers, or other fillers when not storing anything inside. This adds visual appeal and weight to anchor lighter jars.
- Seek out jars with imperfections like bubbles, warping, or lettering to embrace their old-fashioned pharmacy charm. Imperfections give authenticity.
- Place jars near related decor. Put kitchen storage jars near canisters and cookbooks. Arrange bathroom jars with soaps, candles, and linen towels.
Sometimes the smallest styling tricks make the biggest impact. Those little details take apothecary jars from purely functional to fabulous.
Displaying Apothecary Jars Throughout the Home
One of the best qualities of apothecary jars is their versatility. Their antique yet timeless look fits beautifully in many rooms throughout a home when styled creatively. Consider these inspiring ideas:
Entryway
Welcome guests with apothecary jars filled with pretty colored stones or river rocks. This makes a nice vignette next to a guest book on an entry table or shelf. Or fill jars with fresh flowers as a fragrant entryway greeting.
Living Room
In a rustic or farmhouse living room, use apothecary jars to corral fireplace tools like matches, fire starters, and pokers. Or arrange them on shelves as decorative bookends filled with dried flowers, pinecones, or other natural items.
Dining Room
Apothecary jars make stunning vases for cut flowers to dress up a dining table. For buffets or drink stations, use them to hold utensils or drinking glasses. Under-cabinet jars neatly store linens and napkins.
Kitchen
Fill them with cooking staples like sugar, flour, beans, rice, pasta, herbs, and spices for achievable pantry organization. Line them up on open shelves or inside cabinets to keep essentials handy.
Bedroom
Pretty colored glass apothecary jars coordinate beautifully with cottage, farmhouse, or vintage bedroom styles. Group them together to organize jewelry, hair accessories, or bath and beauty products on dressers and nightstands.
Bathroom
The pharmacy vibe makes apothecary jars perfect for holding cotton balls and swabs, soaps, bath salts, brushes, and bathroom odds and ends. Cluster in groups or rows for a coordinated look.
Laundry Room
Large apothecary jars are ideal for pouring laundry soap, bleach, and stain remover. Store them out of reach of children on high shelves. Smaller jars can corral clips, pins, and other laundry helpers.
Garage & Shed
Take advantage of apothecary jars’ airtight seals in damp garages and sheds. Use them to store hardware like screws, nails, nuts, and bolts. The glass lets you easily see what’s inside while keeping contents dry.
With a little imagination and styling, apothecary jars find a fitting home in just about any room. Let their eclectic charm and practicality inspire you!
Sourcing Apothecary Jars and Bottles
Thankfully, it’s easy to find apothecary jars to suit any budget or project. Here are some top sources:
Vintage Shops – These small businesses offer a treasure trove of antique and vintage apothecary jars with retro charm. Prices vary depending on rarity.
Thrift Stores – Gently used apothecary jars turn up frequently at secondhand stores. Check glassware sections for bargains.
Craft Stores – Retail chains like Michaels and Hobby Lobby sell new apothecary jars in many affordable sizes. Sales and coupons offer deals.
Big Box Stores – Discount retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon have inexpensive apothecary jar options. Order online or shop in stores.
Etsy – This online handmade marketplace has thousands of apothecary jars from independent artisans. Search for custom sizes or designs.
Restaurant Supply – Restaurant and bar supply stores carry large, affordable commercial sized jars perfect for pantries.
Online Specialty Shops – Websites like Specialty Bottle and Midland Hardware offer a huge selection of jars shipped directly to you.
DIY – Make your own apothecary jars from glass bottles and jars purchased from craft stores. Add custom labels for a personalized touch.
With the mass popularity of apothecary jars today, they can be found virtually everywhere home goods are sold. And vintage finds offer the built-in patina of age that makes them extra charming. The options are endless!
Inspiring Examples of Apothecary Jars at Home
Need a bit of inspiration before bringing apothecary jars into your home? Here are some photos showcasing just how lovely they look throughout a home’s decor:
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A collection of white and green glass apothecary jars filled with cotton puffs and swabs brings vintage pharmacy charm to this bathroom.
Source: The Spruce
Open kitchen shelving lets these apothecary jars filled with dry pasta and beans serve up storage and style in one glance.
Source: Modsy
A uniform row of amber glass bottles overflowing with wildflowers steals the show as creative table decor.
Source: Pinterest
Black and white bathroom shelves neatly organized with cotton balls and bathroom essentials in apothecary jars.
Source: Pinterest
Hanging apothecary jars filled with spices save space and keep essentials visible in this cottage kitchen.
Source: Pinterest
No matter how you choose to incorporate them into your home, apothecary jars add gorgeous yet functional vintage-style charm!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about decorating and organizing with apothecary jars? These frequently asked questions provide helpful answers:
Where is the best place to buy apothecary jars?
Thrift stores and flea markets are great places to find discounted vintage apothecary jars full of old-fashioned character. For new jars, craft stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby offer great selections at affordable prices, especially with coupons.
How do you organize apothecary jars?
The key is to organize same or similar items together. For example, line up all coffee and tea jars together in the pantry. Group all bathroom products on a shelf or counter display. Keeping like items together looks neater and makes everything easy to find.
What can you put in apothecary jars?
Almost anything! They’re great for holding dry foods like beans, pasta, grains, sugar, spices, etc. in the kitchen. For bathrooms, store cotton balls, q-tips, soaps, bath salts, and more. Use them to corral office supplies, craft supplies, candles, first aid items, and anything else that needs organizing.
How do you label and decorate apothecary jars?
Make vintage-looking chalkboard labels by attaching chalkboard sticker sheets or chalkboard vinyl to the front of jars and writing names with chalk pens. You can also decorate jar lids by gluing on lace, burlap, ribbons, or fabric scraps for a rustic touch.
Should apothecary jars be stored in cabinets or on open shelves?
This depends on your personal style. Open shelves display jars as decor but leaves them exposed to light which can fade contents over time. Closed cabinets keep items fresher and allow you to rotate jars in and out for styling. Use whichever works best for each room!
Are apothecary jars airtight for food storage?
Apothecary jars with lid gaskets provide a very airtight seal to keep food fresh for storage. Make sure to inspect the rim and gasket of any vintage or used jar to ensure no chips or damage interferes with the seal. For pantry staples like flour, coffee, and sugar, a good seal locks in freshness.
Enjoy the Stylish Versatility of Apothecary Jars
With their vintage charm and extreme versatility, it’s no wonder apothecary jars remain wildly popular for home organization and decor. They bring function and style to so many spaces throughout a home. Whether used to corral bathroom essentials, display pantry staples, or showcase collections, apothecary jars add character to any room.
Their classic pharmacy shapes and glass material never go out of style. Apothecary jars suit any decorating scheme from modern farmhouse to industrial loft. And their affordable availability makes it easy to add their timeless appeal anywhere.
So embrace the possibilities of apothecary jars to build your own curated collection. Allow their mix of vintage charm and practicality to inspire you as you organize each area in your home. A touch of apothecary styling takes any space from average to amazing!
