Not Your Typical Way To Turn Cans Into Planters: This DIY Has A Rustic Twist

If you have some clean coffee cans stored in your shed or garage just waiting for inspiration to hit you, this is the upcycle project you've been waiting for. It's likely to be different from other ways you've seen cans turned into planters, as it has a rustic twist that you're going to love. In a clip on TikTok, Deidre from our_upcycled_life showcases the most gorgeous hanging pocket planters she created from coffee cans.

These stunning planters are not just super pretty to look at, but they're also quite functional because you can use them to grow all sorts of things — flowers, succulents, or other small plants. They also make a great decoration for your fence or an outdoor wall that's looking a little bland. Plus, you'll find this is the perfect way to add a slightly different aesthetic to a beautiful hanging herb garden. For this project, you're going to need a tin can or two, a can opener, a rubber mallet or a vice, a drill, Rust-Oleum matte clear primer, paint of your choice, Mod Podge, Folkart acrylic outdoor sealer, wire for hanging, and a pretty napkin or towel if you're going to decoupage a design onto the tin. You might even want to use a transfer instead if you're looking for a whimsical quote to put on the can. For a truly rustic aesthetic, you can even source an old rusty handle from a garden spade to mount the can onto.

The first thing to do with your coffee can is to remove the base with a can opener. Make sure that the resulting edge isn't too sharp. You might need to use a file or pliers to smooth down any rough bits. You then have a couple of choices on how to flatten the base of the can. You can either do this by hand or by using something like a rubber mallet. It shouldn't be too difficult because the metal isn't all that thick. What's even easier, according to the YouTube video from Our Upcycled Life, is if you happen to have a vice in your workshop or garage. This makes flattening the bottom of the can really easy.

If you intend to use your planter for live plants instead of faux foliage, you'll want to drill a couple of drainage holes near the base. You'll also need one or two holes near the top where you're going to attach the hanger. You could use wire for this or anything else you have on hand that's going to be sturdy enough to hold up well in the elements. If you intend to mount your planter onto the handle of an old spade or shovel, you can drill two holes in the back of the can and thread through a piece of wire that you can then loop around the base of the handle securely. This is just another one of those brilliant ways to repurpose old garden tools in and around your home.

Once all the structural amendments are complete, it's time to decorate your can. Make sure you apply a primer first so that no rust will form once your planter is outside. When that's dry, it's time to apply the paint of your choice. For this, you can use any paint that you have on hand that's suitable for metal and won't fade when left outside. Even chalk paint would work, but it really just depends on your personal preference.

Next, it's time to add the decoration, which is also your choice. You could use Mod Podge and a pretty napkin to decoupage onto the can surface, or you could apply a transfer that you've purchased or printed if you have the machine for that. If you're arty, you could even freehand a pretty design or the lettering using paints or markers. Once all of this is dry, don't forget to add a final coat of sealer so that your design will stand up to the elements.

Finally, it's time to fill your new planter. You have some more choices here, too. You can either fill the can with some potting soil or a succulent mix and add the plants you'd like to grow in this rustic planter. On the other hand, you might prefer this to be just decorative, in which case, you'll want either some fake moss or some floral foam and one or more faux flower or foliage picks that you can pick up quite inexpensively from your local dollar store. If you love this DIY, don't forget that there are plenty of ways to repurpose items in your home as adorable planters.