You'll love this fun decoupaged tin can storage project. It's a great way to recycle and upcycle cans into beautiful useful storage containers.
Decoupage is such a fun craft. According to Wikipedia "Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it in combination with special paint effects and decorative elements."
There are so many beautiful paper napkins on the market that can turn cans from the recycling bin into gorgeous storage containers for minimal time and money and that's what I'm sharing here today.
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What You'll Need
- Smooth Edge Can Opener
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
- Sponge brush
- Nail File
- Empty Tin Cans 16 oz
- White Spray Paint
- Mod Podge
- Patterned Paper Napkins
- Drawer knobs
How to Upcycle Tin Cans into Storage Bins
Step 1 - Prep Tin Cans
Remove the lids with a smooth edge can opener. Then paint the inside and out of the cans and lids white. You can use spray paint or brush on craft paint for this step.
My knobs were basic wooden knobs leftover from my IKEA Dresser Makeover so I spray painted them black. You may also have a few lying around but if you don't you can find drawer pulls and knobs online, at craft stores, or hardware stores.
Step 2 - Prepare Napkins for Decoupage
Choose your paper napkin and pull off the backing so that you have a nice sheer piece with the print on it.
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Step 3 - Add Napkin to Can
Coat the sides of the can with a thin layer of Mod Podge and then carefully set the napkin in place. Allow the napkin to slightly overlap the edge where it meets the beginning.
Step 4 - Trim Excess Napkin Paper
Trim the excess paper napkin to about 1/4 of an inch on the top and bottom. Let the glue dry for several minutes.
In the meantime add more of the same paper napkin with Mod Podge to the top of the can lid. Trim with scissors again leaving 1/4 inch excess.
Step 5 - File Edges
Use an emery board to file off the excess napkin on the lid and the can.
The nail file leaves a nice finished edge.
Repeat the process with the other cans and lids.
At this point, you can also add a top layer of Mod Podge or spray polyurethane for extra protection.
Step 6 - Add Knobs
Finish the container by hot gluing the knob onto the center of the lids.
I'm using the cans to hold cotton balls, swabs, and pads in my guest bathroom. However, they would look great in a home office or anywhere you want a little pretty storage.
I think these recycled tin cans look fantastic on the shelf in our guest bath. So easy and oh so pretty.
More Decoupage Craft Ideas
Tin Can Decoupaged Storage Containers
Equipment
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
- Sponge brush
- Nail File
Materials
- Empty Tin Cans 16 oz
- White Spray Paint
- Mod Podge
- Patterned Paper Napkins
- Drawer knobs
Instructions
- Clean cans and remove the top lid.
- Spray paint the inside and outside of the cans and lids white.
- Separate the napkin plys and keep the top patterned piece.
- Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the sides of the can with a foam brush.
- Carefully cover with the napkin overlapping slightly.
- Trim the top and bottom leaving about 1/4 inch hanging over.
- Allow the glue to dry slightly.
- Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the top of the lid.
- Center napkin pattern on top and smoothly evenly.
- Trim with scissors leaving about 1/4 inch excess.
- Use a nail file to finish the edges and remove the excess paper napkin from both the cans and the lids.
- Add a second layer of Mod Podge to the can and lid or use a spray polyurethane for protection.
- Once the glue or poly have dried hot glue a drawer knob on the center of the lid.
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