Don’t Toss Out Old Perfume Bottles: Here Are 10 Brilliant Ways to Re-Use Them

If you’ve ever finished a bottle of perfume and hesitated before throwing it away, you’re not alone. Old perfume bottles have a strange power over us. They’re often beautifully designed, oddly sentimental, and too elegant to feel like trash. Even when they’re empty—or nearly empty—they seem to deserve a second life.

And the good news is: they absolutely do.

Perfume bottles are small works of art. From vintage crystal designs to sleek modern glass, they’re built to be seen, held, and admired. Tossing them into the recycling bin feels like losing something special.

So don’t.

With a little creativity, old perfume bottles can be reused in ways that are practical, decorative, sentimental, and even functional. Whether you love home décor, DIY projects, sustainability, or simply hate wasting beautiful things, these ideas will change the way you look at those empty bottles on your shelf.

Below are 10 brilliant ways to re-use old perfume bottles—many of which require little to no crafting experience and can be done with items you already have at home.

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Why Perfume Bottles Are Worth Saving

Before diving into ideas, it’s worth understanding why perfume bottles are such great candidates for reuse.

Most perfume bottles are:

• Made of thick, high-quality glass or crystal

• Designed to be airtight and durable

• Aesthetically pleasing by design

• Small enough to repurpose easily

• Often unique or collectible

In other words, they’re far too good to throw away.

Reusing them isn’t just creative—it’s practical and environmentally responsible.

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1. Turn Them Into Mini Flower Vases

One of the simplest and most beautiful ways to reuse an old perfume bottle is to turn it into a mini vase.

Why It Works

Perfume bottles are designed to hold liquid securely and often have narrow necks—perfect for single stems or small arrangements.

How to Do It

• Remove the spray nozzle (usually by gently twisting or prying it off)

• Clean the inside thoroughly with warm water and mild soap

• Let it air dry completely

• Fill with water and add a flower or two

Best Flowers for Perfume Bottle Vases

• Baby’s breath

• Single roses

• Lavender sprigs

• Dried flowers

• Small wildflowers

These tiny vases look stunning on:

• Bathroom counters

• Nightstands

• Windowsills

• Desks

They’re subtle, elegant, and surprisingly eye-catching.

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2. Create a Reed Diffuser for Your Home

Why buy a diffuser when you already own the perfect container?

Old perfume bottles are ideal for DIY reed diffusers.

What You’ll Need

• Carrier oil (such as sweet almond or safflower oil)

• Essential oils

• Reed sticks or bamboo skewers

• A clean perfume bottle

How It Works

Mix your oils, pour them into the bottle, insert the reeds, and let the scent gently diffuse into the room.

Why This Is Brilliant

• You control the scent strength

• It’s more sustainable than store-bought diffusers

• The bottle looks far more elegant than plastic containers

This works especially well in:

• Bathrooms

• Bedrooms

• Entryways

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3. Store Custom Blended Perfumes or Oils

If you enjoy fragrance or skincare, old perfume bottles are perfect for custom blends.

Uses Include

• Homemade perfumes

• Essential oil blends

• Facial oils

• Hair serums

• Beard oils

The small size helps preserve freshness, and the spray or dropper top makes application easy.

Pro Tip

Label the bottom of the bottle with a small sticker or marker so you remember what’s inside—especially if you reuse multiple bottles.

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4. Display Them as Decorative Art

Some perfume bottles are simply too beautiful to hide.

Instead of repurposing them functionally, turn them into decorative objects.

How to Display Them

• Arrange them on a tray

• Place them on a bookshelf

• Group them by color or era

• Display vintage bottles under glass domes

Perfume bottles can act like:

• Sculptures

• Conversation pieces

• Sentimental keepsakes

This is especially powerful if the perfume reminds you of:

• A loved one

• A special period in your life

• A meaningful memory

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5. Transform Them Into Candles

With a little effort, old perfume bottles can become unique candles.

What You’ll Need

• Soy or beeswax

• Candle wick

• Wick holder or skewer

• Heat-safe container for melting wax

Why This Works

The thick glass of most perfume bottles can withstand candle heat, especially if the bottle opening is wide enough.

Important Safety Notes

• Only use bottles made of thick glass

• Avoid bottles with cracks

• Never leave candles unattended

The result is a luxurious candle that looks far more expensive than it is.

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6. Use Them as Jewelry or Trinket Containers

Some perfume bottles open wide enough to hold small items.

These are perfect for:

• Rings

• Earrings

• Pins

• Charms

• Tiny keepsakes

Placed on a vanity or bedside table, they’re both practical and stylish.

If the opening is narrow, consider using the bottle to store:

• Loose gemstones

• Tiny notes

• Sand from a memorable place

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7. Make a Sentimental Memory Bottle

This idea is less about function and more about emotion.

An old perfume bottle—especially one associated with a person or time—can become a memory vessel.

What to Put Inside

• A rolled handwritten note

• A dried flower

• A small photo fragment

• A meaningful charm

Seal it and display it somewhere meaningful.

It becomes a quiet reminder of a memory you don’t want to lose.

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8. Repurpose Them for Bathroom or Vanity Storage

Perfume bottles are perfect for storing small beauty items.

Great Uses Include

• Nail oil

• Cuticle oil

• Toner

• Micellar water

• Makeup remover

The spray tops work wonderfully for liquids you use daily, and the bottles add a touch of elegance to your routine.

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9. Use Them for Travel or On-the-Go Storage

Smaller perfume bottles are ideal for travel.

What You Can Store

• Perfume refills

• Facial mist

• Hair spray

• Sanitizer

• Room spray

Instead of buying plastic travel bottles, reuse what you already own—and travel in style.

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10. Donate, Sell, or Pass Them On

If you don’t want to keep your bottles, someone else might treasure them.

Options Include

• Donating to thrift stores

• Selling vintage or designer bottles online

• Giving them to artists or DIY enthusiasts

• Offering them to collectors

Some perfume bottles—especially vintage or limited-edition ones—are surprisingly valuable.

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How to Properly Clean Old Perfume Bottles

Before reusing, cleaning is essential.

Basic Cleaning Method

1. Rinse with warm water

2. Add mild dish soap

3. Shake gently

4. Rinse thoroughly

5. Let air dry

For Strong Scents

• Use white vinegar or baking soda

• Let soak overnight

• Rinse multiple times

Patience is key—some fragrances linger longer than others.

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Why Reusing Perfume Bottles Matters

Beyond creativity, reusing perfume bottles is an act of sustainability.

It:

• Reduces glass waste

• Honors craftsmanship

• Encourages mindful consumption

• Adds personality to your home

In a world of disposable packaging, choosing to reuse something beautiful is a quiet but meaningful choice.

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Final Thoughts: Beauty Deserves a Second Life

Perfume bottles are more than containers. They hold memories, artistry, and emotion.

Throwing them away feels wrong because, in many ways, it is.

With just a little imagination, an empty bottle can become:

• A vase

• A diffuser

• A candle

• A keepsake

• A functional everyday tool