Before you toss that empty wine bottle into the recycling bin, pause because it might just be the start of your next favorite DIY project.
Whether you’re a seasoned upcycler or just starting to dip your toes into the reuse-and-repurpose world, this list will spark your imagination.
We’ve gathered 20 beautiful, clever, and downright fun ideas that give old bottles a second life. So grab a bottle (or a few) and get ready to transform trash into treasures you’ll be proud to show off.
#1. Colorful Tissue Paper Bottle Lanterns
I made one of these as a fun weekend project, and the way the lights glow through the tissue shapes at night makes it feel like something magical.
Materials Needed
- 1–3 empty wine bottles
- Colored tissue paper (cut into various shapes)
- Mod Podge (or any decoupage glue)
- Battery-operated cork lights
- Foam brush
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean and dry your bottles thoroughly.
Step 2: Arrange and layer tissue paper shapes.
Step 3: Use Mod Podge to glue each shape to the bottle, pressing gently with the brush.
Step 4: Once covered, brush a thin topcoat of Mod Podge to seal. Let dry fully.
Step 5: Insert cork lights and turn them on for an instant glow.
#2. Wine Bottle Wind Chime With Hanging Beads
A single wine bottle, cut at the base, cradles a string of beads and a quirky metal frog ornament, catching sunlight by day and singing softly with the breeze.
Materials Needed
- 1 empty wine bottle (bottom cut off)
- Assorted beads and charms (glass, wood, or metal)
- 1 decorative hanging charm (e.g., frog, butterfly, bell)
- Fishing line or jewelry wire
- Glass cutter and sandpaper
- 1 metal ring or chain
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Carefully cut the bottom off the wine bottle using a glass cutter. Sand edges to smooth.
Step 2: Thread beads and decorative elements onto the wire, spacing them attractively.
Step 3: Secure the bottom charm so it hangs just below the bottle’s edge.
Step 4: Tie or crimp the top end to a metal ring for hanging.
#3. Wine Bottle Lighthouse Lamp
By transforming an empty bottle into a striped beacon topped with a solar lantern, it’s both decorative and functional, perfect for coastal-themed décor or garden lighting.
Materials Needed
- 1 wine bottle (cleaned, label removed)
- Acrylic paints (red, white, black)
- 1 small solar lantern
- Hot glue gun
- Small decorative stones
- Super glue or E6000
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Paint the wine bottle with alternating red and white stripes. Let dry fully between coats. Add windows and door details with black paint.
Step 2: Glue small stones around the base for a realistic rocky foundation.
Step 3: Attach the solar lantern to the bottle’s top using strong adhesive.
#4. Wall-Mounted Wine Bottle Light Sconces
Whether it’s an entryway or cozy reading corner, the soft lights shimmer like fireflies inside glass, creating an intimate, artistic feel.
Materials Needed
- 2 empty wine bottles (green or clear)
- 2 wooden boards (approx. 5″x12″)
- 2 metal wall hooks or vintage forks (bent to shape)
- Battery-operated LED fairy lights
- Twine or jute rope
- Screws + wall anchors
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Thoroughly clean the bottles and remove labels. Let dry completely.
Step 2: Wrap twine around the bottle necks for texture and grip. Knot securely with excess to hang.
Step 3: Coil the fairy lights inside each bottle and secure the battery pack in the neck or back of the wood panel.
Step 4: Attach hooks to each board and screw the boards into the wall. Hang the bottles from the hooks.
#5. Painted Wine Bottle Wind Chime
With delicate floral art and glistening curves, it plays soft notes in the breeze while showcasing creativity and reuse.
Materials Needed
- 1 wine bottle (cut and painted, or pre-decorated)
- Fishing line or clear string
- 3–5 glass segments (cut from bottles)
- Decorative beads
- Cork with screw hook or eyelet
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Carefully cut your wine bottle using a bottle cutter. Sand the edges until smooth.
Step 2: Paint floral designs using enamel paint or permanent markers and let dry completely.
Step 3: Drill small holes in each glass piece and the bottom of the bottle (if not open already).
Step 4: String together beads and glass segments, tying securely to the main bottle using fishing line.
Step 5: Add a cork with an eyelet screw for hanging. Display where the breeze can sing through it.
#6. Upcycled Wine Bottle Spoons
These sculptural kitchen tools are made from repurposed wine bottle necks and bases, creatively reshaped into stylish spoons and salad servers.
Materials Needed
- Wine bottles in various colors (3–5 bottles)
- Wooden dowels or handles
- Glass cutter and flame tool
- Epoxy glue
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Cut the bottle necks and bases using a glass cutter. Smooth the edges with a flame or sandpaper.
Step 2: Flatten some bottle bases in a kiln or oven-safe mold for salad servers.
Step 3: Attach wooden handles to necks using epoxy, forming scoops.
#7. Wine Bottle Light Wall
By embedding empty glass bottles of various colors directly into concrete or cob, you create a glowing, mosaic-like partition that refracts sunlight by day and lantern light by night.
Materials Needed
- 40–60 empty wine bottles (mixed colors and sizes)
- Cement, cob, or mortar
- Wooden frame or mold
- Basic masonry tools
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Wash and dry bottles. Remove labels for a cleaner aesthetic.
Step 2: Build a temporary wooden frame for your wall section.
Step 3: Pour a layer of cob or concrete. As it sets, press bottles horizontally into place, spaced evenly.
Step 4: Continue layering the mix and bottles, ensuring each bottle is firmly embedded.
#8. Upcycled Wine Bottle Pouring Light
This creative reuse project turns an empty wine or liquor bottle into a playful, glowing lamp that looks like it’s pouring light into a glass.
Materials Needed
- 1 empty wine or liquor bottle (750ml)
- 1 short clear glass tumbler
- 1 piece of wood (approx. 12″ x 5″)
- 1 flexible gooseneck pipe (10–12″)
- 1 string of LED fairy lights (6–10 ft, battery-operated or USB)
- 1 drill with bits
- Screws or epoxy glue
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean the bottle and glass, removing labels if desired. Dry thoroughly.
Step 2: Mount the gooseneck pipe onto the wood base using screws or strong glue. Angle it to support the tilted bottle.
Step 3: Feed the LED string into the bottle, leaving some length to drape into the glass. Fix the bottle securely onto the pipe.
Step 4: Coil the remaining lights into the tumbler to create the illusion of pouring light.
#9. Stacked Wine Bottle Garden Totem
This vibrant garden totem, crafted from stacked blue wine bottle necks, is a showstopper among greenery.
Materials Needed
- 9–12 wine bottle necks (cut and smoothed)
- 1 sturdy metal rod (rebar or copper pipe, 3–4 feet long)
- Epoxy adhesive (optional, for permanent fix)
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Cut the bottles using a glass cutter and smooth the edges with fine sandpaper.
Step 2: Choose a level garden spot and drive the rod securely into the soil, about 12 inches deep.
Step 3: Slide each glass neck onto the rod, stacking from largest to smallest.
Step 4: If needed, add epoxy between sections to prevent shifting in windy areas.
#10. Rustic Wine Bottle Shelf Unit
This shelf is pure upcycling genius, wine bottles as pillars, solid wood planks as shelves, and metal rods for extra stability.
Materials Needed
- 12 empty wine bottles (standard size)
- 4 sturdy wooden planks (approximately 36″ x 10″)
- 8 long bolts or turnbuckles with washers/nuts
- Wood screws
- Drill
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean all wine bottles and remove labels.
Step 2: Drill holes in all four corners of each plank, aligned to fit bottle openings.
Step 3: Slide bottles neck-down into each corner hole to act as legs. Secure with wood glue if needed.
Step 4: Use turnbuckles or rods vertically between shelves for added structure and design flair.
#11. DIY Wine Bottle Tiki Torches
Filled with colorful glass beads and clean-burning fuel, these tiki torches add ambient glow to patios or garden paths.
Materials Needed
- 1 empty wine bottle
- Glass beads or decorative stones
- Tiki torch wick
- Teflon tape
- Copper coupling or torch wick insert
- Clean-burning torch fuel
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean and dry the wine bottle completely.
Step 2: Fill halfway with glass beads for weight and sparkle.
Step 3: Wrap the end of the copper coupling or insert with Teflon tape until it fits snugly in the bottle neck.
Step 4: Thread the wick through the insert, then fill the bottle with torch fuel, leaving room at the top.
Step 5: Insert the wick, let it soak, and light it up.
#12. Wine Bottle Vertical Garden Wall
Turn a plain wall into a living piece of art using empty wine bottles and your favorite trailing plants.
Materials Needed
- 10–20 green wine bottles (cleaned)
- Wall hooks
- Twine
- Water + plant cuttings (like pothos or ivy)
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean each bottle and remove labels. Fill them halfway with clean water.
Step 2: Insert plant cuttings, make sure nodes are submerged to root.
Step 3: Attach wall hooks or brackets in your desired pattern or rows.
Step 4: Secure each bottle by the neck using twine, wire, or a clamp, and hang it on the hook.
#13. Wine Bottle Night Lamp
This romantic wine bottle lamp adds a warm glow and a dash of personality to any space, perfect for a bedside table, hallway, or gift with meaning.
Materials Needed
- 1 empty wine bottle (cleaned and label kept or replaced)
- 1 small lampshade
- 1 LED string light (battery or USB-powered)
- 1 cork with hole (optional)
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Rinse and dry the wine bottle thoroughly. Keep or customize the label if desired.
Step 2: Insert the LED string light through the top. If using a cork with a hole, thread it through to keep it neat.
Step 3: Place a small lampshade gently over the bottle’s neck. Make sure it balances without tilting.
#14. Rustic Wine Bottle Ladder Display
This unique vertical sculpture turns old wine bottles and a weathered wooden ladder into a piece of rustic decor with surprising elegance.
Materials Needed
- 1 old wooden ladder frame
- 12–15 empty wine bottles (same size works best)
- Screws or L-brackets
- Power drill
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean and dry each wine bottle. Remove labels if preferred.
Step 2: Lay the ladder flat and measure even spacing between each rung placement.
Step 3: Carefully drill support brackets or notches into the inner edges of the ladder to cradle the bottles.
Step 4: Slide each bottle into position, securing lightly at the neck if needed with wire or brackets.
#15. Coastal Wine Bottle Decor
Whether you live by the ocean or just wish you did, this easy upcycle turns any old wine bottle into a breezy piece of summer decor.
Materials Needed
- 3 empty wine bottles (varied shapes and colors)
- Acrylic paints (aqua, sand, green tones)
- Matte or crackle finish medium (optional)
- Paintbrush
- Faux pearl/bead string
- Starfish charms
- Hot glue
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean bottles and remove any labels.
Step 2: Apply a coat of textured or crackle paint in sea glass colors. Let dry.
Step 3: Wrap a strand of beads around the neck of each bottle, attaching with glue or wire.
#16. Wine Bottle Serving Dishes
If you’re into upcycling and love a creative charcuterie layout, this is both a conversation starter and a sustainability win.
Materials Needed
- 4–6 empty wine bottles
- Glass cutter
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Oven or kiln for reshaping
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean bottles thoroughly and remove all labels.
Step 2: Use a glass cutter to slice off the top half horizontally.
Step 3: Heat the bottles in an oven or kiln to smooth sharp edges and gently form a soft lip.
#17. Garden Dragonfly Sculpture from Wine Bottles
This playful garden dragonfly was made from old wine bottles and scrap metal, transforming forgotten glass into something whimsical and full of personality.
Materials Needed
- 4 green wine bottles (same size preferred)
- 2 decorative spheres (plastic or foam, ~3″)
- 1 rebar or metal rod (~3–4 feet)
- Zip ties or strong wire
- Optional: spray paint, sealant
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean and remove labels from wine bottles.
Step 2: Attach two bottles on each side of the rod to form wings using zip ties or heavy-duty wire.
Step 3: Glue or tie two glittery balls at the “head” end of the rod to mimic eyes.
#18. Upcycled Wine Bottle Hummingbird Feeders
These colorful hummingbird feeders made from reused liquor and wine bottles are a joyful explosion of color hanging from a tree.
Materials Needed
- 1–5 empty glass bottles (750ml wine, whiskey, or soda)
- 1 hummingbird feeder tube per bottle
- Hanging hooks
- Sugar water solution (1 part sugar to 4 parts water)
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean each bottle thoroughly, inside and out. Remove any labels for a sleeker look.
Step 2: Fill each bottle with sugar water mixture.
Step 3: Insert a hummingbird feeder tube securely into the mouth of the bottle.
Step 4: Use hanging hooks or wire to suspend the bottles upside-down from a sturdy tree branch.
#19. Colorful Bottle Tree Garden Sculpture
Perfect for adding personality to a quiet corner or framing a flower bed, this project is easy to customize with bottles of different colors and shapes.
Materials Needed
- 10–12 empty glass bottles (assorted colors)
- 1 sturdy bottle tree stake
- Optional: clear adhesive
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean and dry all bottles, removing labels if preferred.
Step 2: Position the bottle tree frame in your garden bed, securing it firmly into the ground.
Step 3: Slide bottles upside-down onto each arm, arranging for a balanced mix of colors and angles.
#20. Lace-Doily Wine Bottle Vases
If you’re into soft, romantic details, this one’s for you. These delicate upcycled wine bottles wrapped in lace doilies make beautiful centerpieces for weddings, brunches, or just your everyday kitchen window.
Materials Needed
- 3 empty wine bottles (cleaned, labels removed)
- Paper or fabric lace doilies
- Matte Mod Podge
- Foam brush
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Make sure bottles are clean and dry.
Step 2: Cut or arrange doilies to your desired layout on each bottle.
Step 3: Brush a layer of Mod Podge onto the glass where you want the doily to sit.
Step 4: Gently press the doily into place and brush another thin coat of Mod Podge over it to seal.
