12 New Ways to Use Vintage Glassware

Light Up Your Parties

“I collect small-scale juice glasses and Moroccan tea glasses to use as candle holders for dinner parties and outdoor entertaining,” shares Nashville-based interior designer Jessica Stambaugh.

Cluster them down the center of a table, scatter them along a mantel, or line them up on windowsills for a warm glow.

Rethink Serving Pieces

When entertaining, think beyond how glassware is traditionally used. Footed dessert compotes can double as servers for dips, cheeses, or dried fruit on an appetizer spread. Collins glasses make unexpected parfait cups for layered desserts, while double old-fashioneds become chic vessels for puddings or sundaes.

The key is contrast. “These older pieces come alive when paired with items that feel contemporary,” says Elizabeth Maclennan, a New York City–based prop stylist and art director. Stambaugh agrees, noting that she often juxtaposes textures, letting glass candlesticks (for instance) shine against a solid tablecloth or rustic wooden surface.

Elevate a Home Bar

Vintage pieces can add instant character to a drinks cabinet or bar cart. “When styling a bar, I often pair vintage glasses with a bright lacquer tray,” Stambaugh notes. Small cups and champagne coupes double as storage for cocktail picks, stirring sticks, and accouterments such as olives and citrus peels.

Bring Beauty to a Vanity or Bathroom

Use small glasses to store makeup brushes, cotton balls, or Q-tips, while wrapped soaps and small hand towels can be grouped in larger footed bowls.

Instead of spirits, fill a carved glass decanter with Epsom salts or bubble bath, or top a vintage bottle with a pump to transform it into a soap dispenser. And if space allows, a glass cake stand makes a pretty display for a collection of perfume bottles.

Organize Your Jewelry

Small crystal dishes and bowls are ideal for corralling rings, cuff links, and other tiny items. For something unexpected, try a vintage deviled egg or relish tray—a midcentury entertaining staple—as a clever way to sort earrings. Larger pieces, like chunky bracelets or statement necklaces, can be stashed in footed bowls or apothecary jars.

Clear Your Office Clutter

Repurposed cups make chic homes for pens, paperclips, and other items around your desk. “Often you’ll find one-off pieces that work beautifully as organizers,” notes Stambaugh. Trays and bowls can be used to sort papers or keep chargers close at hand.

Create an Entryway Catchall

Vintage serving pieces are perfect for holding everyday essentials, such as mail, keys, and the little odds and ends that tend to accumulate by the door. Cluster several pieces together on a table, and make sure to clear it all out regularly to keep clutter at bay.

Create a Living Centerpiece

Repurpose a punch bowl or a large, shallow platter as a plant display. Fill it with potted succulents or ivy, covering the soil with moss.. For a dramatic, illuminated centerpiece, float tealights along with blossoms like dahlias or garden roses.

Use as Seasonal Planters

Certain short-lived spring bulbs, such as fragrant paperwhites, are ideal for planting in vintage bowls. Fill the container with small pebbles and place the bulbs on top, root-side down, with the tip of each bulb exposed. Surround the bulbs with more stones to stabilize them, and add water to the bowl.

Style Champagne Flutes as Bud Vases

Slim flutes can be used as modern bud vases for singular blooms. Spread them down the center of a table and mix shapes that are similar, but not identical, for a collected, artful effect.

Play With Colors and Shapes

“For a curated look, group glassware by color,” suggests Maclennan. Line up milk glass pieces on a mantel or cluster sculptural, jewel-toned shapes on a windowsill so the light filters through.

A single standout piece can also make a big impact in a space. “Handblown glass vases in shades like ruby, pink, or green can bring a lot of charm to an entry table or center table,” says Stambaugh. ”I always look for large and unusual vases for displaying branches, sunflowers, and other big blooms.” She adds that it can be fun to pick a favorite color or style and then add to your collection over time.

Offer Take-Home Favors

For dinner parties, Maclennan suggests sourcing inexpensive vintage glasses from a thrift store and setting the table with a mix of eclectic shapes and colors. “Each guest can choose their own unique glass for the evening, and at the end of the night, it doubles as a keepsake they can take home.”