Simple Ways to Repair and Repurpose Broken Glass Objects

Everybody knows that glass objects can get broken all too easily. However, there's no need to panic! In many cases, there are ways you can fix them. If not, there are other ways you can take advantage of the mishap, and use it as an opportunity to create new decorations for your home.
Simple Ways to Repair and Repurpose Broken Glass Objects

Last update: 27 August, 2020

All kinds of accidents can happen in and around the house, and sometimes, objects can get broken or damaged. This is especially true of glass. As such, it can be useful to know different ways you can repair and repurpose broken glass objects.

It can often be difficult to know what to do when things get damaged, whether it’s a broken table, a damaged window, a chipped ornament, or a cracked vase. Glass objects, in particular, can break when you least expect it.

To prevent damage to your home, it’s always good to have solutions on-hand when you need them. While we can’t always keep our homes in pristine condition, we can try to be prepared to deal with any unexpected mishaps.

How to repair broken glass – coffee tables

A glass dining room table.

Because living rooms have such a wide range of different uses, glass coffee tables can be exposed to all kinds of dangers daily. Simply setting a mug down harder than you meant to can leave a mark on glass surfaces.

If you find a crack or chip in your glass table, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible. One option is to purchase a special repair kit from a hardware store. These kits consist of a bracket, which must be positioned directly over the crack and attached to the glass via suction cups.

Next, you’ll need to put resin into the hole and leave it to dry for a few minutes. Then, simply remove the bracket and scrape off any excess resin. Remember, you can also use these kits to repair broken windows.

This a really quick and effective solution

Broken glass mosaic

Broken glass objects: DIY mosaic.

A chip is one thing, but what should you do if your glass is broken into several pieces? In this case, we don’t recommend attempting to glue all the pieces back together again. Instead, we have a quick and easy solution.

These DIY mosaics are typically used to decorate garden, terrace, and porch tables. Using colored glass is a great way to create an eye-catching and charming design. Here you’ll find a simple step-by-step guide:

  1. The first thing to do is to gather all the pieces of broken glass. Each one will be a completely different shape – but you don’t need to try to fit them back together exactly how they were before. It’s simply a question of working out how to arrange them.
  2. Lay all the pieces out flat, leaving a small gap between each one. Then, simply pour cement or mortar over your mosaic until it’s completely covered, making sure not to leave any gaps.
  3. The next step is to use a spatula to scrape the mortar off the surface, leaving the glass visible. Try to ensure that the finish is smooth and even.
  4. Finally, let the mortar dry and harden. This may take a few hours, but once it’s ready, you’ll have a really interesting decorative item for your home.

Using adhesive sealant to repair broken glass objects

A collection of Chinese vases.

In the case of a minor breakage, the best solution is to glue the broken piece back in place. To do this, you’ll need to use an effective and highly resistant adhesive. For best results, it’s important to use trusted, reputable brands.

You can find specially designed glass adhesives in most hardware and large DIY stores. These work well and will allow you to glue everything back together in no time. Essentially, they’re just a type of ultra-strong glue.

These adhesives can be used to repair things such as broken mug handles or chipped glasses. You can instantly glue the broken piece back in place, leaving your item good as new.

Repurposing glass bottles

DIY bottle lamp.

Broken glassware doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Instead, you can turn it to your advantage, and use it to make all kinds of decorative and artistic items. Empty wine and beer bottles can be a really interesting option here.

Instead of simply throwing them in the trash, you can repurpose your old glass bottles and give them a new lease of life. If the bottles are only slightly cracked or chipped in places, you could use the base to make a DIY candle holder, for example. Alternatively, you could use them to create a lampshade, placing a light bulb inside and inserting the cable through the neck of the bottle.

Another option is to use pieces of broken glass to create your own artwork. The important thing is to let your creative juices flow, and look for new aesthetic possibilities.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Fernández Navarro, José María: El vidrio, Madrid, CSIC, 2003.