Do you love finding hidden treasures at thrift stores, flea markets, or that untouched corner of your attic? If so, you’re in for a treat! Creative DIYers know that just about anything can become a stunning vase with the right flowers and a dash of imagination.
Whether you’re decorating your home or sprucing up your backyard blooms, these unique vase ideas offer plenty of inspiration to bring your floral displays to life.
Here’s a mixed lineup of classic, trendy, and inventive vase ideas, from inspiring forum discussions online. Each provides both charm and personality for any flower arrangement.
1. Copper Teapots
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Repurpose a vintage copper teapot into a show-stopping vase. The metal’s warm tones beautifully offset vibrant flowers like dahlias or ranunculus. Plus, the small opening makes it easier to hold arrangements upright without needing extra support.
Tip for Finding It
Look for aged or polished copper teapots at your local thrift store or antique shop. Even slightly tarnished teapots add rustic beauty.
2. Creel Baskets
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Originally designed to carry fish, creel baskets bring outdoorsy charm to any floral arrangement. Simply insert a jar of water inside the basket to hold the flowers, then hang it on doors or walls for a unique rustic display.
DIY Idea
Complete your creel basket look with wildflowers like daisies or cosmos for the ultimate countryside vibe.
3. Vintage Salt Cellars
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These versatile enamelware pieces can either hang on your door or sit snugly on a dining table. The pre-drilled hole, made for hanging in kitchens, doubles as the perfect way to create vertical floral decor.
Pro Tip
Add texture to your bouquet by combining tiny, delicate flowers like baby’s breath with bold primary blooms.
4. Battery Glass Containers
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Early battery jars, recognizable by their clear, thick glass construction, create modern centerpieces with vintage vibes. They’re excellent for showcasing flowers with long stems like lisianthus, sunflowers, or cosmos.
How to Style
Keep it simple—place one or two stems per jar to highlight their length and grace.
5. Tennis Ball Cans
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Who knew sports could inspire floral design? Old-school tennis ball cans scream nostalgia and are excellent for a quirky, vertical arrangement of zinnias or marigolds.
DIY Tip
Line the can with floral foam to secure stems if the bottom leaks. Pair them with other sports memorabilia for a playful table centerpiece.
6. Wicker-Covered Demijohns
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These large, vintage glass bottles encased in wicker offer a bohemian aesthetic ideal for single, large blooms like hydrangeas or peonies. Their natural textures create a stunning contrast with pastel-colored flowers.
Where to Look
You can often score demijohns at flea markets or yard sales. If you’re lucky, an old winery might sell them for a bargain.
7. Recycled Seashell Vases
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Inspired by forum discussions on creative floral displays, seashells offer a nautical touch for your arrangements. Hollow out a large seashell and reinforce it with floral foam to serve as the perfect vase for smaller blooms.
Styling Tip
Stick to ocean-colored florals such as blues, whites, and greens to keep the theme cohesive.
8. Wooden Logs as Vases
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Hollow out a small log to create a vase with a rustic, woodsy charm. Perfect for backyard setups, these natural containers hold short stems gracefully.
DIY Styling
Dress up the log with fresh moss or lichen to enhance its woodland appeal. It’s fantastic for seasonal arrangements.
9. Chipped Tea Cups
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Repurpose those slightly imperfect antique teacups into mini floral vases. They’re perfect for intimate settings like a breakfast nook or side table.
Tip for Extra Charm
Pair teacups with flowers in coordinating colors, such as pink roses for classic rosy-patterned china.
10. Decorative Tin Cans
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Upcycle decorative potato chip tins or coffee cans into bold, statement-making vases. Their vibrant exterior designs add a pop of color that complements blooming geraniums or sunflowers.
Maintenance Tip
If your tin leaks, place a small jar or mason jar inside to hold your water and flowers.
11. English Biscuit Barrels
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These wooden vintage containers are a true find treasure. The deep tones of the wood pair well with orange or red flowers, creating an elegant, old-world aesthetic.
Thrift Tip
Seek these out early in spring flea market seasons before collectors snatch them up.
12. Upcycled Lamp Bases
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Forum posts rave about using old lamp bases as inventive vase options. Remove the electrical components, clean out the interior, and voila—a chic, multi-tiered vase brimming with personality.
How to Style
Opt for tall flowers like snapdragons to mirror the vertical shape of the base.
13. Apothecary Jars
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These classic glass jars aren’t just for candy or herbs—they’re elegant platforms for upright blooms like tulips, snapdragons, or even dried bouquets.
Where to Find
They often pop up as affordable steals on secondhand online marketplaces or local antique fairs.
14. Wine Bottles
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Empty wine bottles create sleek, minimalist vases for single stems or delicate wildflowers. Leave the glass clear for a refined look, or paint over it for pops of color.
DIY Twist
Add twinkle lights inside for an evening display that’s equal parts functional and romantic.
15. Kleenex Box Assemblages
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A surprising idea from creative forums is turning decorative tissue boxes into makeshift vase covers. Insert a plain vase inside the box to instantly zhuzh up its appearance.
Creative Use
Floral colors can match or contrast with the print on the tissue box for added visual harmony.
16. Vintage Bike Baskets
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Nothing exudes charm quite like thrifted bike baskets filled with wildflowers. Hang them from hooks or doors and watch your flowers transform into delightful outdoor accents.
Pro Styling Tip
Add sprigs of herbs like lavender or basil for a fragrant finishing touch.
17. Recycled Glass Projects
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Implement a glass recycling program and breathe new life into donated jars, vases, or pitchers. Combine creativity with sustainability to turn unused glass into showstopping displays.
Suggestion
Offer flowers as gifts in the recycled vases to encourage eco-friendly choices.
Wrap-Up
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With a little creativity and some thrifting adventures, you can transform ordinary objects into stunning vases for your floral arrangements. These vases are more than functional—they showcase your individuality and creative eye. Whether you’re hosting a garden party or adding charm to a coffee table, these 17 ideas will inspire you to think outside the box.
Next time, pick up that “random” item at the thrift store—you never know how breathtaking it could be with the right bouquet inside!
