Fun Ways to Repurpose Your Glassware

If you spend any time on Pinterest.com, you already know that people make the most amazing things out of the most obscure items imaginable. This creative spark is part of what makes life interesting; it can also make the person browsing Pinterest feel a bit inadequate. We’re here to tell you that you can make beautiful things without going as far as molding your own soap or building a cottage out of old pallets. You already have, in your own lab, the perfect material for some lovely projects: glassware.

It’s not Waterford crystal or colorful Murano art glass, but it is glass and it can be beautiful. The allure of lab glassware is its simplicity: a humble beaker or test tube is like a blank canvas. The imaginative individual can turn retired lab glass into surprisingly decorative objects or useful household items. And you don’t even need much of an imagination—just a little time.

One of the most obvious ways to re-purpose old glassware is to turn it into a tiny garden or floral display. The appeal of delicate blooms displayed in plain scientific equipment is hard to beat, and the small size of most vessels makes this idea workable almost anywhere: windowsills, powder rooms or lab desks. You can arrange beakers and flasks by size— try using ones that are all the same or mix it up a bit.

Test tubes also lend themselves to floral arrangement. By displaying a single flower in each tube in the rack, you can create a soothingly simple and orderly image. Test tube racks look great anywhere; you can also mount them to the wall for a different look. Experiment with colors and textures or make backgrounds for your test tubes out of fabric, wood or mirrors. Hang an empty picture frame around your display. Inviting others to embrace the unexpected is part of the charm.

Growing a live plant in old lab glassware is a bit more challenging, but it is possible. The best bet for this idea is to create a terrarium using cacti, succulents or ferns. Start with a base of sand, and then consult the employees at the gardening center to choose plants that will breathe new life into your old equipment. You can also start seeds for your garden in glassware.

Glass also lends itself to creative expression with light. Old-fashioned chandeliers are fine, but a chandelier made from old test tubes will be the talk of the town. Miniature oil lamps are an easier approach to lighting up your lab glass. Check out craft stores that sell wicks in corks, which make this project even more do-able.

Candles (and candlelight) are popular for many reasons, not the least of which is the flattering and romantic light they cast. Turn your next date night into something special by decorating with tea lights inside wide-mouthed beakers. You can also set long tapers into test tubes for an elegant dinner party or holiday centerpiece.