You can decant: Turn bottles into decor

We’re always looking for ways to add beauty and elegance our homes. Although those concepts usually come with a hefty price tag, I have an easy idea that costs next to nothing but gives you big bang for your decorating buck. Simply decant your purchased items into beautiful bottles or containers.

Good places to look for pretty bottles and containers are thrift stores, yard sales, restaurant supply stores and clearance racks. Start the search for containers right in your own home. Soak the labels off glass jars and bottles and reuse them. There are glass paints available in craft stores that will give any glass container a lovely translucent wash of color. This is great for taking mismatched jars and making them look harmonious together. Mason jars are wonderful for decanting a variety of products.

You can also use white glue or Mod Podge to adhere paper or inexpensive fabric to cover existing containers. This is good for boxes which can be a little unattractive but we all have them storing everything under the sun. Paint a square of chalkboard paint to identify what’s in any container you plan to use multiple times.

Make your sink side prettier by decanting dish and hand soap into attractive containers. It makes those tasks a little more pleasant if it looks beautiful. It also reminds you to take a moment and be thankful you have food to eat, and dishes to wash. Besides if you’re really a Diva you don’t need people knowing what brand of cheap soap you’re using. Get that bottle under the sink!

Lots of food items lend themselves to decanting. Olive oil and vinegar, salt and spices are a natural. Perk up breakfast by putting milk or orange juice in a pretty pitcher. Want to elevate a glass of water into a rejuvenating experience? Keep a beautiful pitcher of cold water with lemon or cucumber slices in the refrigerator. You’ll feel pampered each time you reach for a drink.

In my house some helpful person puts empty cereal boxes back in the pantry. Putting foods like cereal into clear containers makes it easy to know when it’s time to put them on your shopping list.

Liquor is a natural for decanting. I always think of the old Hollywood movies when the beautiful people would pour themselves a drink from crystal decanters held on a pretty tray. How glamorous.

In the bath you can decant shampoo and conditioners into pretty plastic bottles and put bath salts and beads in clear lidded containers with a pretty scoop.

Now, please don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting you buy new containers for everything in your cupboards. That’s not frugal in the least. Just decant a few things that you use and see most often.

The whole purpose of decanting is to make you smile when you see or use the product inside. Little touches of grace that elevate the ordinary into something extraordinary. That’s very Diva.

Décor on a Dime contributed by Patti Diamond author of Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! www.divasonadime.com Join us on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom.