Everyone Owned It Throughout The 1900s - Now It's The Perfect Diy Tin Storage Solution

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There are certain items that we don't often think about beyond their intended purpose. However, if you love to do DIY projects, you likely see the potential in just about everything. Being able to upcycle a small tin into a kitchen storage solution is a great way to reduce both clutter and waste. One common item that has been part of homes for decades, and that makes an interesting addition to a DIY project, is the tea tin. 

Often, these tins have lids that make them an excellent storage container for things beyond the original tea that came inside. If you have tea tins that you don't know what to do with, there is a fun and easy way to jazz them up and make them both functional and decorative, courtesy of a DIY from Steph Creates-DIY Home & Crafts on YouTube.

If you want to give your tea tins a new look, there are a few things you will need, beyond the tin with a lid. You'll also need to have a decoupage medium, such as Mod Podge, decorative paper, a large wooden bead, acrylic paint in white, bronze, and gold, a paint brush for the paint and one for the Mod Podge, scissors, and some small embellishments, such as small jewels with a flat back. For the decorative paper, you can use a napkin, wrapping paper, actual decoupage paper, or a design printed on regular printer paper. Use what you have and have some fun with this project.

With this DIY, start by covering the body of the tin with the decorative paper of your choice. In the YouTube video, the creator first painted the decoupage medium onto the first side of the tin and then laid the paper over it, carefully rubbing out any bubbles that might form under the paper. You'll want to place the paper below the ridge where the lid comes down. Then, paint another layer of the decoupage medium over the paper that has been laid down, drying it before moving on. Continue doing this until the entire can is covered with the paper.

Once the body of the can is covered, you'll want to take the white paint and paint the lid, using multiple coats to cover over whatever words or design is on the metal. Instead of leaving the lid all white, if you have leftover paper from covering the body of the tin, cut out some smaller pieces of the pattern and decoupage them over the white lid. Next, take some gold paint and go around the floral pattern laid down on the lid to add some depth. Once the lid's dry, you'll glue the large bead (which can also be painted gold) down on top with the hot glue. 

Finally, you'll want to remove any of the excess paper from wrapping the tin and then add on any embellishments. The embellishments can be added around the tin wherever you want to add a little more shimmer or texture.

This is the kind of DIY project that leaves you with a lot of room for personalization. While the original creator chose a floral printed paper for her decorative tin, this is where you can have some fun. Pick a pattern and colors that work for you and your style. If you're not using wrapping paper to cover the tin, you may want to start the project with a coat of paint or primer to cover any of the printing on the surface of the metal that might show through other papers, such as napkins or decoupage paper. Another thing to consider is covering the bottom of the tin. While you don't have to decoupage the bottom in the same paper as the rest of the tin, painting it in a solid color will help to finish off your storage container.

If you are planning to upcycle your tea tin into a home storage solution, you might want to have a pull on the lid that is functional. One comment on the video questioned if the wood bead on top was "purely decorative," which was confirmed by the original creator. If you want to attempt a more functional option on the lid, try using a better glue, such as E6000, which is an industrial-strength adhesive that works on metal surfaces. Looking for other tin can DIYs? Turn old soup cans into DIY boho decor.