Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into creative crafting? Let's shake things up this season and turn those ordinary tin cans into extraordinary organizational marvels! As a professional organizer passionate about DIY, I'm thrilled to share some inspiring ideas to help you revamp your space while reducing waste and unleashing your inner artist. Update 2026: This post has been updated to include other can projects I completed after it was published. I hope you stop by and check them out.
Jump to:
- Key Takeaways
- What can be held in these empty tins?
- Before Beginning Tips
- Project 1: HOW TO CHANGE A TIN CAN INTO A MARKER BIN
- How to Change a Tin Can into a Marker Bin
- Project 2: SPRINGTIME TIN CAN RECYCLING IDEA
- Springtime Tin Can Recycling Idea
- Project 3: SPRINGTIME ROPE SOUP CAN UPCYCLING CRAFT PROJECT
- Upcycled Springtime Soup Can Craft Ideas
- Project 4: HOW TO CHANGE A PLAIN SOUP CAN INTO A GORGEOUS DIY PENCIL HOLDER
- How to Change a Plain Soup Can into a Gorgeous DIY Pencil Holder
- DIY Project 5: SOUP CAN (Tin Can) TO DIY MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER
- Soup Can to DIY Makeup Brush Holder
- DIY Project 6: Cute Glass Tile on Tin Can Project
- Cute Glass Tile on Tin Can DIY Project
- DIY Project 7: Soup Can with Natural Cork Fabric DIY Project
- Soup Can with Natural Cork Fabric DIY Project
- DIY Project 8: Update Coffee Can with Lid with Mod Podge and Tissue Paper {DIY Project}
- Update Coffee Can with Lid with Mod Podge and Tissue Paper {DIY Project}
- FIVE CHRISTMAS THEME (Seasonal Crafts) DIY PROJECTS
- HOW TO UPCYCLE SOUP CAN INTO CUTE GNOME WITH STORAGE
- HOW TO TURN A SOUP CAN INTO A CUTE CHRISTMAS PEN HOLDER
- Closing
Key Takeaways
- Transform old tin cans into creative storage solutions with Tin Can DIY Projects.
- Use them to organize office supplies, craft materials, kitchen utensils (affiliate), and more.
- Ensure cans are clean and dry before starting; use tools (affiliate) like a can opener and hot glue gun (affiliate).
- Explore various projects, from making pencil holders to themed decorations for holidays.
- Unleash your creativity while reducing waste and organizing your space!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy something on my affiliate's website, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Happy shopping!
Say goodbye to clutter and hello to "chic" organization! Old tin cans are your secret weapon for crafting stylish storage containers that not only tidy up your living space but also add a touch of personality to every corner. The possibilities are endless, from sleek pencil holders for your desk to adorable kitchen organizers for your utensils (affiliate) and dry goods. Get creative with paint, fabric, or decorative paper to match your home decor (affiliate) and express your unique style.
What can be held in these empty tins?
These unique containers come in different sizes and can store small items. Below is a list of the small everyday items you may use these tin cans for.
- Office supplies: store things like pens, pencils, markers, scissors (affiliate), etc.
- Craft Supplies: store things like paintbrushes (affiliate), crayons, markers, beads, buttons, and ribbons (affiliate).
- Kitchen utensils (affiliate): if you have a large (affiliate) tin can - you can store spatulas, wooden spoons, and other cooking utensils (affiliate).
- Garage (affiliate) Tools (affiliate): You can also store screwdrivers (affiliate), pliers, and wrenches in these soup cans.
- Makeup Brushes: In your bathroom, you can store makeup brushes, mascara, eyeliner, etc... in them to keep your morning routine (affiliate) organized.
- Garden Tools (affiliate): Add things to larger tin cans like trowels, pruners, and plant markers.
- Toys: Small toys like action figures, building blocks, and toy cars can be kept in tin cans. If you want to
- Jewelry (affiliate): You can store bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry (affiliate) items in soup cans.
Basically, anything that you or your family need to keep together.
Before Beginning Tips
There are some things you need to know about these DIY projects.
- Empty tin cans must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before doing any DIY tin can projects.
- You will need a can opener and discard the top of the can, of course.
- Each of these tin can (soup can) projects is easy to do.
- Almost all projects use Mod Podge (affiliate), a hot glue gun (affiliate), glue sticks, or self-adhesive fabrics.
- Each post below includes a full tutorial on how to make each fun project.
- Some upcycled tin projects below are holiday (Christmas) themed but can be swapped out for any holiday. For example, my Christmas Tree felt can be replaced with a felt with a fall, spring, or summer theme.
- A piece of heavy emery cloth-80 by GatorGrit or 3M-is perfect for smoothing out any sharp edges you may have.
- Most of these projects involve a 15 oz can.
Project 1: HOW TO CHANGE A TIN CAN INTO A MARKER BIN
The first DIY Project uses a vinyl backsplash sheet, which I had remaining from my accent-table DIY project. The white ribbon with cotton balls is so handy that I used it for several of my projects to finish the top and bottom edges. Click above to see the tutorial.
How to Change a Tin Can into a Marker Bin
Tin cans are super easy to repurpose. But instead of just using them to organize small things in your home, how about making them pretty? Here is how I transformed a tin can into a marker bin. Follow along and try it yourself. You can easily use these repurposed cans for your home office, college dorm
Project 2: SPRINGTIME TIN CAN RECYCLING IDEA
The next tin can project uses two sheets of flowered felt, hot glue, and a hot glue gun (affiliate). The lace has a flat edge, so it can fold easily over the top of the can. Click above to visit the tutorial for this tin can project.
Springtime Tin Can Recycling Idea
It's springtime! And to freshen up my home on a low cost, I wanted to upcycle a tin can. This springtime tin can is the size of a soup can and has been transformed into a cute can for silk flowers or a marker holder. What inspired me to do this Springtime Tin Can Recycling
Project 3: SPRINGTIME ROPE SOUP CAN UPCYCLING CRAFT PROJECT
The fourth fun craft uses .23 in / 6 mm wide cotton rope and can easily be found online through Amazon or Michaels.
Upcycled Springtime Soup Can Craft Ideas
We celebrate Earth Day in April. It is a wonderful time to pull some of those soup cans (tin cans) out of your recycling bin or trash and make them into special springtime soup can craft ideas. I will use this post to share step-by-step instructions on a bunch of springtime soup can craft ideas.
Project 4: HOW TO CHANGE A PLAIN SOUP CAN INTO A GORGEOUS DIY PENCIL HOLDER
The next tin can DIY recycling bin is a great addition to a student's study zone. It uses FolkArt by Plaid Patina 2951 Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint, Mod Podge Matte finish, Natural Jute Twine thin, a Hot Glue gun, and a Hot Glue stick (Affiliate Link).
How to Change a Plain Soup Can into a Gorgeous DIY Pencil Holder
Upcycling is super fun! All you need is creativity, a few things, and a plan. This week, I will share with you how to change a plain soup can into a gorgeous DIY Pencil Holder. It's great for your kids' study zone, a command station area, or home office.
DIY Project 5: SOUP CAN (Tin Can) TO DIY MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER
The next tin can project is great for a bathroom, where it can be used to hold stand-up makeup brushes and other items like cotton swabs. This tutorial uses tools like a hot glue gun (affiliate), quilt cotton fabric, and scrapbook paper.
Soup Can to DIY Makeup Brush Holder
Cleaned metal soup cans are great to repurpose to help you organize your home. Making them an easy and cost-effective way to organize any cluttered space. Doing this DIY makeup brush holder will clear up your vanity and make your makeup area more attractive to others who use the bathroom.
DIY Project 6: Cute Glass Tile on Tin Can Project
Update 2026: Here are some more tin cans that I added since this post was created. This one uses cute, colorful, small glass tiles that can handle the can's curve.
Cute Glass Tile on Tin Can DIY Project
Glass tiles are so cute and can be attached to pretty much anything to make it feel pretty and upscale. But, how about tin cans or soup cans? Well, I am here to say that you can even make soup cans and tin cans look attractive.
DIY Project 7: Soup Can with Natural Cork Fabric DIY Project
I found an amazing natural cork fabric at the fabric store, and it worked out well on my tin can. It hides all the ribbing and makes the can look like wood.
Soup Can with Natural Cork Fabric DIY Project
Want to get organized but don't have the money to buy fancy organizers? Tin cans (soup cans) are especially easy to upcycle and use for your next DIY home organization project. Dressing them up in various ways is excellent for giving any soup can in your home a fresh look.
DIY Project 8: Update Coffee Can with Lid with Mod Podge and Tissue Paper {DIY Project}
This one is a coffee (affiliate) can, but still made out of tin, so I am adding it here. It is especially helpful that the tin can was smooth. This was one of my first paper napkin DIY craft.
Update Coffee Can with Lid with Mod Podge and Tissue Paper {DIY Project}
Artisan coffee cans usually have a unique style, and when we use up the contents, I want to reuse the lids for another organizing purpose. Follow along and see how I transform this coffee can with a lid using Mod Podge and a decorative Napkin or tissue paper.
FIVE CHRISTMAS THEME (Seasonal Crafts) DIY PROJECTS
Now, that's not all. I also have Christmas-themed upcycling tin can projects. Changing the fabrics to different holiday themes is pretty easy for these projects. Feel free to check them out below.
HOW TO UPCYCLE SOUP CAN INTO CUTE GNOME WITH STORAGE
This project involves using three different-sized tin cans, from coffee (affiliate) tin cans to chili pepper (affiliate) cans.
HOW TO MAKE A DIY CHRISTMAS TREE FELT CAN HOLDER
This DIY tin can project has a different type of cotton ball ribbon I found at Marshall's. It's super cute and the felt was especially easy to work with.
DIY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CAN HOLDER - UPCYCLE A CAN
The next Transform Your Home with Tin Can DIY Projects idea I wanted to share with you is my felt project. Like the one above, I used a different cotton ribbon and felt fabric.
HOW TO TURN A SOUP CAN INTO A CUTE CHRISTMAS PEN HOLDER
And lastly, the project below was especially fun to make. I found that using a Decorative Holiday crew sock (Affiliate) that I had left over from another easy project worked well with these tin cans.
Closing
So, what are you waiting for? Grab those tin cans, gather your crafting supplies, and make this summer one to remember and bring new life to old tin cans! You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish with a little creativity and a lot of enthusiasm. It's a fun way to show your kids that home organization can be fun! I hope these tin can DIY projects help you stay organized. Happy crafting!
Looking for more craft ideas? Please visit my other DIY upcycling tutorials below!
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