Tin cans are plentiful, common, cheap and almost always at hand. Most of us just recycle them without a thought or toss them out without considering their uses or the environment.
But tin cans have endless uses if you are creative, from making pencil holders to vases. Here are ten easy and cheap ideas that are both practical and decorative to put an empty tin can to use, though they are in no particular order. Just peel the label off and decorate to taste, then put to use. It’s simple, cost-effective and green. Plus, it’s just fun.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number One: Desk Organizer
An empty soup can is a good size for a desk organizer. Peel the label off so that you have a clean can. You might have to scrap and pull a little. Make sure to wash out the can. Paint the tin can to your liking or use hot glue to cover it in decorative papers or foils. Voila. Instant desk organizer. You can throw pens and pencils in the can, paper clips, markers, thumb tacks or whatever else you might need to keep in one place.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number Two: Plant Holders
Large cans to small cans can be useful for this. Coffee cans for large plants, smaller cans for smaller plants. It’s easy. Go through the same process. Clean and decorate in any fashion you want. Note: you will want to make drainage holes in the bottom.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number Three: Kitchen Organizer
Once again, clean and decorate your can or cans. Then put them to good use holding utensils, such as spatulas, big spoons, beaters or what-have-you. Or use a set of varying sizes to make containers for flour, sugar, coffee or more. Yes, I know coffee comes in a can already, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a decorative coffee can for your own personal tastes.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number Four: Tool Storage
Have a craft room? You probably do if you’re interested in this. Use cans to store buttons, ribbons, yarn, sequins, markers, needles and your other supplies. Plus, you can have fun decorating them while you are at it.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number Five: Bathroom Caddies
Are you a girl? Girls live in your house? Empty tin cans can be turned into holders for bobby pins, hairbands, clips, bows – whatever accessories you have. You can decorate them to by fun, stylish, girly, etc.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number Six: Toothbrush Holder
This is a similar idea, but instead of storing hair accessories, let’s store our toothbrushes. Instead of cluttering up the bathroom counter, decorate a tin can and toss in toothbrushes. If you’re really crafty, you can make your new holder even more efficient by creating a piece to fit down in the can with holes in it to keep the brushes upright and from touching.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number Seven: Vases
They might not make long-necked, curvy, elegant bases, but they can make fun, artsy flower vases. Water won’t damage them. They outside is easily decorated. And how can you go wrong pairing a cute, artsy vase with a bouquet of daisies? You can’t. You will brighten up the entire room.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number Eight: Candle Holders
With the proper tools (you might need a man’s advice on this), you can punch holes in the can like you would with a jack-o-lantern in any design you want. Stick in a votive or tea candle and you’ve got yourself a romantic new light for any room.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number Nine: Candles
If you know how to make candles, you can use them to make very decorative candles. Watch out for the cans heating up – you will want to put them somewhere safe and fireproof. But cans make a great place to melt wax and create a beautiful candle in a holder that you designed.
Top Ten Uses for Empty Tin Cans Number Ten: Piggy Bank
Make yourself a piggy bank with a can that has a lid. Cut a rectangular slit in the lid. Decorate your can of whatever size you want. Then start saving. You have a one-of-a-kind, personal bank. Maybe paint ‘girls’ night fund’ or ‘rainy days money’ or something like that on it.
These crafts are fairly easy even for the beginner, though some might take more than one try to get right. Don’t worry though. It’s better to try, fail and recycle than to throw an empty tin can into the garbage.
They also make great gifts. Who wouldn’t want their own personalized, unique candle, desk organizer, plant holder, etc? One of the top ten uses for empty tin cans must appeal to your loved one’s hobbies or interests.
Try one of the top ten uses for empty tin cans yourself and see if you can’t create something you love. And if you really can’t, make sure to recycle.
