12 New Ways to Use Vintage Glassware (and Transform Your Flea Market Finds) Your collection deserves better than dust. Close Credit: Khosrork / Getty Images From delicate serving pieces to sculptural vases, vintage glassware comes in every color, shape, and style imaginable. Many of the pieces you’ll find in thrift stores or antique shops date back to the Mad Men-era of martinis, old-fashioneds, and formal dinner parties. Or even farther back. While we may not entertain in quite the same way today, vintage glassware can add a whimsical charm and style to day-to-day life. The key is to use them intentionally. (Gone are the days of filling a cabinet with matching sets that only gather dust!) The good news? These versatile pieces can be used in countless creative ways throughout your home. From bold centerpieces to chic office storage, here are 12 ways to repurpose vintage glassware. 14 Clever Uses for Old Bed Sheets, According to Experts 01 of 12 Light Up Your Parties Credit: Anastasiia Krivenok / Getty “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. 02 of 12 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. 03 of 12 Elevate a Home Bar Credit: Adrienne Bresnahan / Getty Images 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. 04 of 12 Bring Beauty to a Vanity or Bathroom Credit: Iryna Kaliukina / Getty Images 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. 05 of 12 Organize Your Jewelry Credit: Jill Ferry Photography / Getty Images 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. 06 of 12 Clear Your Office Clutter