Turn Empty Tin Cans Into Clever Hanging Storage

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

There are ways to keep your junk drawer looking neat thanks to tips from Martha Stewart and other interior designers, but ultimately one of the best options to clear out clutter would be setting up more unique storage solutions around the house. A great way to increase your storage capacity is using multi-functional furniture that takes advantage of vertical spaces — especially if you can sneak things into otherwise unused areas. There's a great DIY project out there that can accomplish all of the above by turning some old, empty tin cans into an artsy set of hanging cubbies for your small craft materials. Whether you're polishing off some cans of beans over a few months or buying options like empty Stainless Steel Multi-Ring Fry Cans online, this is a DIY you can accomplish on the cheap.

The end result of this clever hanging storage DIY is going to be a set of cans arranged like beehive honeycombs, which can serve as a nice artistic centerpiece in any room while also being compact and light enough to hide away. Beyond the tin cans (of which you should have at least a dozen, though this project can be as big or small as you'd like), you'll need to pick up a Hot Glue Gun Kit to stick them together and spools of Jute Twine for both decor and hanging. Most of the remaining recommended materials are going to serve as decoration: spray paint, ideally a waterproof variety, and aesthetic baubles will be enough to get you going on this tin can DIY project.

The first step in completing this hanging storage DIY is to spray paint each individual tin can, unless you happen to prefer their natural look — just be wary that metal cans can rust in moist environments if you aren't using a waterproof coat. The original craft video by YouTube channel DiY BiGBooM then arranges 16 cans in a rhombus shape, but you could glue yours together in any which way that fits the geometric design of your cohesive living space. Once the glue is set, take your jute rope and outline the entire edge of the shape you've created using stacked rows. The depressions of the cans should make perfect cavities to insert the jute, and then you can line the open-end rims of each can with more jute to soften their edges.

This DIY video then glues a string of plastic pearls around the entirety of the top rim before finishing things off with another jute string attached to the backside that will hang this tin can storage solution on whatever hook you have set. That being said, depending on the weight of any objects you're planning to set in these can cubbies, it may be worth replacing the jute hanging thread with a sturdier material like steel Picture Hanging Wire. Most of the decor on this DIY could be swapped out for elements of your choosing. For example, consider theming it with something like an outline of softer wool strands rather than jute if you're looking to finally add the yarn storage hack that your craft room has been missing.