From Drab To Fab: 48 DIYs For Average Tin Cans

    Warhol was on to something with his tin can fanaticism — these versatile little containers can be used to make everything from flower vases to napkin rings to wine racks. A helpful hint for ALL of the below projects: invest in one of these can openers that creates a smooth (not sharp) opening.

    Pippa Armbrester
    by Pippa Armbrester

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Wine Rack

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    Remove both ends of the can, arrange, stack, and glue. Paint the cans beforehand if you want to add some color.

    2. Art Supply Caddy

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    Cover tin cans with Mod Podge and fabric, then use wire to attach them around the perimeter of a larger can. Nifty storage for paint brushes, pencils, and other art supplies.

    3. Can-dle Lanterns

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    The trick is to freeze the cans before cutting into them. Carefully cut S-shaped slits along the outside of the can, allow the ice inside to melt, then gently push it down. Check out a more detailed tutorial here .

    4. Beer Holders

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    Attach tin cans to 28" rods via smashed bottle caps, stick 'em in the ground, then sit back and drink.

    5. Bling Pencil Pot

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    Use Mod Podge to coat the tin can with white paper, paint marbles with nail varnish in colors of your choice, and attach marbles with a hot glue gun. Here's a nifty tutorial.

    6. Vase, Toothbrush Holder, and More...

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    Tin can toppers make for easy vases, toothbrush holders, coffee containers, and more. Toppers are by Jack Bresnahan.

    7. Can Clock

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    Attach a couple wooden legs to the sides of a can, paint the jar and legs in color of your choice, insert a clock mechanism inside the can, and voila. All the details are here.

    8. Upcycled Mugs

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    Bend silverware into a handle shape, then glue to the sides of painted tin cans.

    9. Stamp Can Containers

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    Cover the outside of cans with fun and colorful stamps.

    10. Bake Mini Cakes

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    Yep, you can bake a cake right inside the can. Here's a recipe, but there are many more out there.

    11. Or Boston Brown Bread

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    Recipe can be found here.

    12. Desk Drawer Storage

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    Easily make your own by trimming tin cans in half. Great for keeping your office supplies in order.

    13. Mini Bongos

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    Fill the cans with rice/lentils, then stretch a balloon end over the top and secure in place with a rubber band. These plus a pair of chopsticks will keep kiddos occupied. See a full tutorial here.

    14. Plant Markers

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    Cut out strips from an aluminum can, then write the names of your plants on a piece of paper. Trace the the lettering into the aluminum strips, and trim the edge so you can stick it into the ground. Check out these step-by-step directions. And if you're not a gardener, make cheese markers instead.

    15. Wind Chime

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    Paint cans of various sizes, string them together, and hang outside.

    16. Advent Calendar

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    Paint your cans red, drill holes in the sides and add wire handles, then cut out number silhouettes from white vinyl. Fill them with Christmas candies or messages.

    17. Sideways Storage

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    Cover your cans with decorative paper using double-stick tape or glue. Stack the cans on their sides and glue them together. Use gallon cans to store larger items.

    18. Pendant Lights

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    Paint the cans to mach your interior decor. Drill a hole in the bottom of your can, insert a wire and attach a light socket in each. Hang 'em and you're done!

    19. Crushed Can Decor

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    Paint soda cans white, gently crush them, and fill with flowers. Shabby and stylish at the same time.

    20. Hang Bouquets

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    Fill tin cans with flowers, then attach them to both sides of a thick chain and hang over a pole. These would make for beautiful wedding decor.

    21. Make Robots

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    Decorate cans with electrical tape, hardware and other recyclables, disk magnets, and hot glue.

    22. Get Your Grill On

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    Cut slat around the can, fold them back, then fill up the can with charcoal. Place a cooling rack on top and you've got an instant mini-grill.

    23. Create a Cake Stand

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    Paint a tin can to match your plate, then use strong glue to attach the can to the bottom of the plate.

    24. Table Numbers

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    Spray paint the cans with gold, wrap a printed number stencil around each can, and drill little holes inside the number outline. Place a little candle inside for great dinner party decor. Number templates and detailed instructions can be found here.

    25. Lamp Shade

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    Paint a tin can and cut out the design of your choice. A lamp kit will come in handy.

    26. Jack O'lanterns

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    Drill out spooky faces, fill with candles, and decorate for a Halloween party.

    27. Cork-Wrapped Pencil Holders

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    Use stencils to paint cork sheet with animal silhouettes, then wrap the cork around your cans. All the DIY details can be found here.

    28. Recycled Wreath

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    Decorate cans with paint and paper or ribbon, string in a circle, and hang on your door.

    29. Biscuit Cutters

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    Topless tin cans are the perfect size for cutting out pastries.

    30. Tin Pin Cushion

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    Cover a can with decorative paper, stuff with polyfil stuffing, and cover with fabric. Read this tutorial for all the details.

    31. Dented Planters

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    Paint tins in pastel shades, gently dent, and fill with dirt and bulbs.

    32. Yarn Holder

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    Mount cans sideways on the wall for fuss-free and pretty yarn organizing.

    33. Chalkboard Tins

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    Decorate the outsides of chins with chalkboard paint to easily label your storage containers.

    34. Windsock

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    Hang ribbon from the bottom of a decoupaged tin for whimsical outdoor decor. Check out this tutorial.

    35. Yarn-Wrapped Candle Holders

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    Wrap yarn around the outside of a tin and place a candle inside. Super speedy garden party decorations!

    36. DIY Cookie Cutters

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    Make cookie cutters in any shape you like by bending strips cut from the sides of tin cans.

    37. Tin Can Bouquet

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    Cut out curly cues from the sides of a tin can, mold them into roses, and make a bouquet that'll last a lot longer than the real thing. All the steps are here.

    38. Cute Kitchen Container

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    Embroider a piece of linen with a kitchen utensil motif, then cover the outside of a can. Check out this tutorial for tips.

    39. Speakers

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    It might help to be tech-savvy for this one, but this site should help a lot.

    40. Leaf Ornaments

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    Trace and cut out leaves from the side of a tin can, drill a hole, and hang them inside or out. Here's some helpful instructions.

    41. Napkin Rings

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    Cover squat tin cans with decorative paper for one-of-a-kind dinner party favors.

    42. Build a Birdhouse

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    Cut a hole in a large can, fill with bird seed, and enjoy having birds in the yard.

    43. Tin Can Knitter

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    For those who are intimidated by knitting needles, tin can knitters offer an easy alternative. Here are some tutorial links.

    44. Perpetual Calendar and Pencil Holder

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    Create a calendar and storage unit in one. You'll need cardstock, paper, an X-acto knife and ruler, rubber cement, double-stick tape, and the templates and instructions found here.

    45. Newlywed Car Decor

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    Use pretty ribbons to string tin cans from the back bumper of a newlyweds' car.

    46. Statement Bracelet

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    Cut out circles from vintage cans (or decorate new ones with pretty paper), drill holes, and string them together with small metal jump rings.

    47. Soap Dispenser

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    Reuse an old pump to make a new soap dispenser. Check out this easy tutorial.

    48. Warhol-Inspired Flower Vases

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    Find cute soup cans like these colorful Andy Warhol ones from Target, clean them out, spray paint around the outside, and fill with flowers. Tutorial here.

    Pippa Armbrester is a quilt maker and designer. Follow her adventures in quilting and life on her website.