Chances are, you’ve got a couple of empty wine bottles collecting dust somewhere. Tossing them in the recycling is fine, but honestly, it’s a bit of a missed opportunity. Those bottles can become creative projects that add a fresh vibe or even a little function to your space. Why not turn something you already have into a cool piece (decorative or practical) without spending a fortune?
With just a little effort, you can whip up things for indoors or outside, from handy home items to one-of-a-kind gifts. Here’s a roundup of 20 ways you can give wine bottles a second life.
1) Painted wine bottle vases
Empty wine bottles make surprisingly nice vases with just a bit of paint and a couple of brushes. A layer of chalk or spray paint gives them a modern, clean look that fits almost anywhere.
If you’re feeling a little artsy, try painting on flowers, stripes, or some geometric shapes. Acrylics do the trick, and a layer of clear varnish helps the design stick around.
Once you’ve got your bottle ready, fill it with fresh flowers, dried stems, or even fake blooms. They look great grouped together as a centerpiece or just hanging out solo on a shelf.
2) Wine bottle candle holders
Wine bottles can be turned into candle holders in no time. Clean them up, peel off the labels, and pop taper candles into the neck. The glass keeps things steady and adds a bit of style.
If you’re up for a little DIY, cut the bottle in half and sand the edge. The bottom half is perfect for tea lights, and the top half can actually be flipped over a candle as a cover.
Try painting the glass or letting wax drip down the sides for a different vibe. Black paint feels dramatic, while clear glass is more classic. It’s easy to switch up the look to fit your mood or event.
3) Wine bottle bird feeders
An empty wine bottle can become a bird feeder with just a few things you probably have lying around. You’ll need a sturdy bottle, some wire or rope, and a little wooden tray for the seeds.
Hang the bottle upside down so seeds drop out slowly, gravity does the work for you. This keeps the food dry and means you don’t have to refill it every day.
Depending on the birds you want to attract, you can tweak the opening size for different types of seed.
4) Wine bottle planters
Old wine bottles make pretty cool planters with just a bit of effort. Cut the bottom off, sand it smooth, and use some sturdy wire or twine to hang it up.
Fill it with soil and a little plant, or go for moss and succulents if you want something low-maintenance. You can even hang them upside down if you rig up a way to keep the dirt in place.
They look good on a porch, balcony, or just inside by a sunny window. It’s a nice way to save space and show off your plants.
5) Wine bottle terrariums
If you’ve got a clear wine bottle, why not make a tiny garden for your shelf? Start with some pebbles for drainage, then toss in a bit of activated charcoal to keep things fresh.
Add a layer of soil and pick out small plants – moss, succulents, or air plants work best since they don’t need much space or water.
You can seal it up with a cork for a closed terrarium, or just leave it open if you want to mess with the plants now and then.
6) Wine bottle soap dispensers
Turning an empty wine bottle into a soap dispenser is almost too easy. Give it a good wash, peel off the label, and make sure it’s dry.
Most folks just grab a pump from an old soap bottle, it usually fits right in the neck. If not, you can grab a universal pump online or at the craft store.
Dark glass bottles are nice since they help protect your soap from light. The end result? Simple, useful, and it adds a bit of personality to your bathroom or kitchen.
7) Wine bottle string lights
Rinse out a wine bottle and get rid of the label if you want a clean look. Clear bottles are brightest, but colored ones give off a softer, cozier glow.
Thread a string of fairy lights through the neck. It helps to use a chopstick or something similar to poke the lights down inside.
Decorate the outside with paint, glitter, or etched designs if you’re in the mood. These make great accents for shelves, tables, or even patios.
8) Wine bottle herb gardens
Wine bottles are perfect for growing herbs if you’re short on space. Cut one in half, smooth out the edges, and use the top as a mini planter. Add soil and seeds, and you’ve got a compact way to grow greens anywhere.
You can also make a self-watering planter: flip the top half upside down, stick it into the bottom half, and run a wick through the neck. It’s a lazy gardener’s dream.
Clear bottles let in more light, but dark ones help keep algae away. Try basil, mint, or parsley – whatever you like to cook with.
9) Wine bottle wind chimes
With an empty wine bottle and a couple of tools, you can make a wind chime that actually sounds nice. Cut off the bottom, thread a chain or string through the neck, and hang it up.
Stick a little clapper inside, maybe a key ring or a bead, so it taps the glass when the wind blows. Add something light at the bottom to catch the breeze.
You can leave the glass plain, or dress it up with some paint or etching if you want to get fancy.
10) Wine bottle lamps
Wine bottles make fun lamps with just a few supplies and some string lights. Clean off the label and wash the glass, then add your lights.
Some people drill a hole near the base for corded lights, but battery-powered cork lights are way easier. Either way works, it just depends on where you want to put it.
Try different shapes or colored glass for a new look. Clear bottles glow bright, while dark ones are more mellow.
11) Wine bottle jewelry organizers
An empty wine bottle actually works really well as a stand for necklaces and bracelets. The tall shape keeps chains from getting tangled, and you can see everything at a glance.
Paint it, wrap it, or just leave it as-is. Pop a cork in the top and screw in a few hooks if you want a spot for rings or earrings.
If you’re looking for a cheap way to organize jewelry, this is quick to set up and easy to switch up whenever you feel like it.
12) Wine bottle oil dispensers
If you like to keep things simple in the kitchen, an empty wine bottle makes a nice oil dispenser. Scrub it clean, peel off the label, and let it dry out.
Pick up a pour spout or stopper from a kitchen store, most of them fit wine bottles just fine. Makes pouring way less messy.
Colored bottles are great for keeping oil fresh since they block out some light. You can even slap on a label if you want to keep things organized.
13) Wine bottle flower holders
Honestly, turning an empty wine bottle into a simple flower holder is about as easy as it gets. Rinse out the bottle, peel off the label if you’re feeling motivated, and just pop in a few fresh stems. That’s it.
If you want to make it feel a little more intentional, try grouping a few bottles together on your table. Mixing clear, painted, or even frosted bottles? It takes almost no extra effort and keeps things interesting.
For people who love little details, wrapping some twine, ribbon, or lace around the neck of the bottle adds a bit of charm. It’s a quick touch, nothing fussy, and somehow makes the whole thing look finished.
14) Etched wine bottle decor
If you’ve ever wanted a frosted look on a wine bottle, glass etching cream is your friend. You don’t need fancy equipment, just a stencil, gloves, and the cream itself.
Stick the stencil on, spread the cream, and wait for the magic to happen (well, just the recommended time). Rinse it off, and boom, you’ve got a permanent design etched right into the glass.
Patterns, letters, or just a simple shape – whatever you want! These bottles work as vases, decorative accents, or even personalized gifts if you’re in the mood to get creative.
15) Wine bottle wall sconces
Making a wall sconce out of an empty wine bottle? Surprisingly doable. Grab a scrap piece of wood, a metal bracket, and a bottle.
Mount the board to your wall, secure the bottle with the bracket, and drop in a candle or maybe an LED light if you’re worried about fire. The glass gives off a cozy glow and makes the space feel a bit more personal.
Old bottles work great, but if you’d rather skip cleaning off sticky labels, you can always buy some ready-to-go. This one stays budget-friendly and you can tweak the look however you want.
16) Wine bottle water fountains
If you’ve got a wine bottle and a little pump, you’re halfway to a quirky little fountain. All you need is some tubing and a container to catch the water. The pump just pushes water back up through the bottle, and you get that gentle, steady flow.
Some folks like to stack bottles or tilt them so the water spills from one to another. It’s a low-key way to add a water feature to your patio or garden.
Drilling a hole for the tubing is probably the hardest part, and even that’s not so bad with the right bit. Once you’ve got that sorted, it comes together fast and gives you a low-cost project that’s actually useful.
17) Wine bottle message in a bottle gifts
Turning an empty wine bottle into a message-in-a-bottle gift is kind of charming, honestly. Just write your note, roll it up, tie it with twine, and slip it inside. If you want to go the extra mile, toss in a little sand, a shell, or some dried flowers.
It works for birthdays, weddings, or just as a sweet thank-you. No special tools needed, just a clean bottle, a cork, and whatever little extras you want to add. It’s a simple way to give someone a keepsake that’s a bit more unique than a card.
18) Wine bottle centerpiece decor
So, you’ve got empty wine bottles and want a fresh table centerpiece? Just grab some paint or spray finish. Metallics like gold or silver look sharp, but matte colors keep things relaxed.
Add flowers or greenery – fresh is nice, but honestly, dried or fake stems are easier to deal with and reuse.
If you’re feeling festive, paint the bottles in holiday colors or wrap them up with a bit of twine or ribbon. Suddenly, you’ve got a centerpiece that actually fits the season, and you didn’t have to spend a fortune.