Make one of these tin can crafts today! There is no need to buy more organizing or craft supplies, when all you need to do is look to your kitchen. Put those empty tin cans to use with a beautiful upcycling project.
Instead of recycling your empty tin cans each week, why not upcycle them into something new? Here are 14 beautiful upcycled tin can crafts to inspire you!
How to repurpose tin cans
If you’re a crafter, you’ll know the potential that lies in your recycling box. Cardboard boxes, glass bottles, and best of all – tin cans! They can all be used to create something out of nothing.
Whether you want to make a feature of your project’s past life as a tin can, or transform it into something entirely new, there is sure to be a fun project here to inspire you.
Ways to upcycle tin cans
Without further ado, here are 14 creative ways to upcycle your tin cans into something new!
1. Tin can succulent vases
If you’d like to emphasize the fact that your project started its life as a humble tin can, this super easy project could be the one for you. These tin can succulent vases from Cottage In The Oaks don’t attempt to hide the can at all. Just give it a new lease of life as something beautiful.
When you remove the label from a tin can and give it a good clean, it actually makes a really pretty ‘shabby chic’ vase – perfect for a succulent! They make great table centerpieces, and couldn’t be easier to make.
2. Rope-wrapped tin cans
If you’d prefer to disguise your tin can, a really simple way to cover the can is with rope or twine! My rope-wrapped tin cans can be used for all sorts of purposes – pencil pots, small vases, storage containers… whatever you like.
Just paint the tin can with whatever color paint you want, then wrap the twine around and around until it’s covered the whole tin. Easy peasy.
3. French-inspired tin cans
These shabby chic tin cans from Dreams Factory are painted in a rustic style with French-inspired labels. The end result is really effective, yet they’re still easy to make!
The project uses candle wax to help create the worn paint effect, causing a darker layer of paint underneath to peek through the white. It’s the perfect elegant yet rustic craft.
4. Concrete vases from tin cans
If you’re feeling ambitious, why not try using your tin cans as molds for concrete?! It’s easier than it sounds – just pour some wet concrete into the tin can, allow it to set, then cut the can off to create the beautiful concrete vases. You can see how with this tutorial from Love Create Celebrate.
You’ll need a well-stocked toolbox for this project, but it’s worth it. The end result is super industrial. But a little bit of paint can make it feel homely at the same time. Such a fun touch to make your home look really stylish.
5. Patriotic Painted Tin Cans
Reach into the recycle bin and get ready to craft. Make these cute red, white, and blue patriotic painted tin cans to use as vases all summer long.
6. Tin can wall organizer
If you’re looking for a fun way to display all the beautifully decorated tin cans you’ve collected, why not hang them on the wall. Make this simple tin can wall organizer from Knick Of Time!
It’s a creative way to keep your home organized. Plus: using several sizes of tin cans will make the piece look really professional. The cans can then be used for kitchen utensils, flowers, pens, or anything else that needs organizing.
7. Map-covered tin cans
Working with concrete and screwing tin cans onto wood might be out of your comfort zone, so perhaps you’ll prefer this super simple paper craft. Tin cans can be covered with any type of craft paper for a really beautiful end result.
Here, I made these map-covered tin cans using a big sheet of map paper that I cut into strips. You could use any old map, paper with different patterns, or even pages from an old book! They’re a great way to show off your personality.
8. Tin can lanterns
These beautiful tin can lanterns from Craft Foxes look seriously stunning, but they’re surprisingly easy to make! Just punch holes in a tin can in whatever pattern you like – flowers, geometric shapes, swirly lines, or anything else you can think of.
You can also paint the can to make it look even more eye-catching.
Then pop some tealight candles inside for a really gorgeous lantern effect!
9. Tin can Christmas centerpieces
Not sure what to make for your Christmas centerpiece this year? Tin cans to the rescue! These rustic Christmas centerpieces from Lily Ardor are quick and easy to make, but will look really beautiful on your holiday table.
Just paint them to match the rest of your Christmas decorations, add some festive stencils, and wrap the base with a little sprig from a pine tree. Stand some tall candles in the can for a really festive vibe.
These aren’t just a holiday craft, though – you could use the same tutorial to make similar centerpieces themed for all the various seasons!
10. Tin can candles
Even if you don’t have any need for more vases or pencil jars, there are plenty of other tin can crafts you can make. These tin can candles from Dainty are a beautiful way to transform an old can into something really useful.
Just fill the empty can with soy wax, cover with craft paper, and you’ve got a fun, creative homemade candle! I love the way it looks when you leave the lid attached. It’s so fun, and really highlights your upcycling skills!
11. Silverware caddy
This handy silverware caddy from Hometalk, made from upcycled tin cans, is perfect if you enjoy throwing backyard parties for your friends and family.
You won’t need to walk back and forth to the kitchen twenty times, just load everything up into this cutlery carrier, and you’ll feel like the hostess with the mostess. It’s super practical, and it looks great too!
12. Stick-covered tin cans
If you have a hot glue gun, this is a super simple way to transform an old tin can into a rustic vase that will make your home feel like a wood cabin!
To make these stick-covered tin cans from Instrupix, you just need lots of straight sticks. You can either buy a pack of craft sticks, or collect some from the woods. Then simply glue them on – it couldn’t be easier.
13. Pegboard organizer
Pegboards are a fantastic way to organize every room in your house, and tin cans are a great addition! Just hook a decorated tin can onto your pegboard, and it creates a perfect little pot. Here’s an example of a great pegboard storage solution using tin cans, from Firefly Store Solutions.
This method would work perfectly in your office (to store pens and pencils), your kitchen (to store utensils), your entryway (to store keys), or anywhere else in your home!
14. Chunky knit tin can
This chunky knit tin can from Lily Ardor is one of my favorite tin can projects yet. It looks super professional, and makes a real statement.
You don’t even need to know how to knit to create this stunning effect – as long as you can twist together strands of polymer clay, you’re golden! But doesn’t it look beautiful? Nobody would know there was an old tin can underneath!
Don’t forget to PIN these upcycled tin can crafts for later:
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