Even if you go out of your way to eat healthy and local or seasonal, it's hard to avoid buying the occasional canned good. Whether sun-dried tomatoes, baked beans, or food for our four-legged friends, most homes have a tin can laying around somewhere. But what do you do with the empty ones? The recycling bin certainly gobbles some up, but that doesn't have to be the case. Look below for some creative ways to give old cans a new use.
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#1
Cover cans with pages from an old cookbook or newspaper and they're easily transformed into retro-containers.
#2
For those with a different aesthetic, cover the tins with your favorite fabric and lace to make a beautiful piece.
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#3
You can even reuse paint cans as a filing system in a bookcase or on a desk.
#4
This tiny can was covered with lovely contact paper and used to hold hairbrushes - you'll never misplace them again.
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#5
Empty tuna fish cans (sustainably caught, of course) are the perfect size for drawer organizers.
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#6
No more dog food from a bag. Transform a big popcorn tin into a gorgeous storage space for treats.
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#7
Glue different sized cans next to one another on a board and spray paint them to create a stylish desk organizer.
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#8
From sweet corn to crayon sorter in just a few steps.
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#9
Pop a few handles onto a large can and paint it the color of your choice to make a really nice-looking container.
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#10
With a little cotton and a piece of fabric, they can make handy pincushions.
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#11
Tea and coffee tins can be reused to hold the same contents, but can look a thousand times better with a little attention.
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#12
Or go naked! Nail several bare cans directly to the wall or fix them with magnets and label them for a tidy craft system.
#13
4 holes and a splash of color and - voilĂ ! - a practical ribbon organizer.
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#14
A bit of a larger project, but with a few empty cans, a piece of wood, some paint, and a bit of leather, you can create an amazing silverware caddy. Perfect for the next picnic or beach trip!
#15
Nail a few cans to a wooden stake and fill them with soil. Perfect for a tiny herb garden and a lovely addition to any porch.
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#16
Not enough surface area? No worries, drill a hole in the cans and hand them from a towel bar using small metal hooks.
#17
It can't get any easier than this: Dip cans halfway in paint and you have a modern, minimalist design piece for your desk.
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#18
The massive tins that you get when you buy in bulk can be transformed into snazzy towel storage for the bathroom.
