Now, HERE'S What You Should Do With Your Old Bottles of Nail Polish

Hometalk Highlights
by Hometalk Highlights
Be honest, you’ve got a drawer full of old nail polish stowed somewhere in your home, don't you? Don’t worry - we all do!
Maybe that shade didn’t turn out like you thought it would, or you discovered that painting nails is not in your skill set, but whatever the reason, you’re not planning on using (most of) it anytime soon. Instead of letting those bottles go to waste, gather your bright and beautiful colors and turn them into marbled decor!
All it takes is a bucket of water, a splash of nail polish, and something to dip, and you’re ready to completely transform anything and everything!


1. Coffee Mugs

Project via Chanda @Zest It Up
There's no need to splurge on a pretty new set up coffee cups. Instead, turn a few dollar store cups into a matching set of marbled mugs.


2. Upcycled Wall Decor

Project via Sabine @Mom in Music City
This marbling method can make anything look good - even cut up pieces of vertical blinds! This DIYer turned hers into a gorgeous tiled piece of wall decor.


3. Glossy Vase

Project via Aniko @Place of My Taste
To get this authentic marbled look, give your piece a coat of white spray paint before the nail polish dip.


4. Colored Candle

Project via Megan @Rhapsody in Room
Add a coat of seasonal color to any plain pieces of decor, like candles or coasters, to dress them up for holidays, parties, and events.


5. Flower Pot

Photo via Craft Teen
If you’re looking to spruce up your flower pots, a mixture of your nail polish collection will add instant color to your container garden.


6. Bright Votives

Photo via HGTV
Dip tiny glass cups into a bucket of water and polish, to decorate a set of mini votives, perfect for arranging across your patio table.


7. Marbled Glassware

Photo via MakeUp.com
Upgrade a set of plain glass cups, by adding colorful marbled detailing to the bottom with a quick dip for each piece.


8. Cup and Saucer Set

Photo via Blog Lovin'
Impress your coffee or tea time guests, by bringing out a matching cup and saucer set splashed with bright nail polish.


9. Colored Pumpkins

Photo via Mom Dot
With fall just around the corner, we know you’ll be pulling out your pumpkins soon, so why not add a new masterpiece to your mantel displays or porch decorations?


10. Clay Dishes

Photo via Paper & Stitch
Making these clay dishes is easy enough, and decorating them is even easier, with this nail polish marbling technique. For these little catch-alls, the more colors, the better!


11. Candle Holder

Photo via Hello Lidy
Colorful marble is great, but does this trick work to fake the real marbled look? Yes indeed! If you have a collection of white decor, give it all one realistic marbled look, with nail polish in a range of blacks and greys.


How insanely awesome is that?! Have you tried marbling before? Share your nail polish marbled projects with us in the comments!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • LibraryKAT LibraryKAT on Sep 12, 2016
    How do they hold up to washing? You show tea cups and saucers, just not with the marbling near the rim area.
  • Suzanrrr Suzanrrr on Feb 13, 2024

    How do you seal this so it won't wash off?

Comments
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2 of 20 comments
  • Brenda Turnquest Brenda Turnquest on Aug 18, 2015
    I used this technique on garden stones. Turned out great.
  • Sonja Alcock Sonja Alcock on Jan 14, 2018

    I tried doing this, but it didn't work at all. When I dropped the nail polish into the water it created a clear crinkly base and when I tried dipping the glass into the nail polish it didn't pick it up at all but only became a blob!

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