12 Genius Ways To Reuse Coffee Containers Around The House

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There are many modest items in a home that can be DIYed into something more useful. Don't overlook your old coffee containers, as there are just as many ways to repurpose them as there are ways to reuse old coffee mugs. With a little DIY, you can transform them into stylish home storage that boosts your interior décor and makes everyday life easier.

Coffee canisters are made for food storage, which also makes them the perfect shape for storing other household items. They often come with a flexible lid, which can be left on or removed for DIY projects. In many cases, coffee is sold in aluminum cans. Aluminum is naturally corrosion-resistant, making these containers ideal for a plethora of upcycles. They hold up well in humid indoor areas, like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

In addition to having a practical design, coffee containers are easy to prep. When prepping plastic coffee containers, remove the outside label by filling the containers with hot water and letting them sit for about 5 minutes. The heat should make it easier to remove the stickers. When taking the labels off of metal containers, soak the entire tin in hot water, white vinegar and dish soap for up to 10 minutes before attempting to peel the paper off. Most of these projects will require you to clean up the canisters before starting the DIY, however, keep in mind that there are also many projects where you can simply paint or decoupage over the pre-existing label.

One of the most popular ways that people reuse old coffee containers is by turning them into planters. The TikToker luckyatoms transformed an old coffee can into a chic countertop decor using a thick coat of tile adhesive and a putty knife. Smear the tile adhesive around the outside of the coffee can and let it dry into a rugged stone-like appearance. Sand down the exterior to smooth it out, and then tuck the middle with artificial or live plants. This idea works with both cardboard and metal canisters.

If you want a planter idea with a little more excitement, try the TikTok account sustainmycrafthabit's idea that uses decoupage, paint, and wood knobs to craft a more unique design. Decoupage a printout of a butterfly (or any image of choice) on one side of a metal coffee can. Paint the area around the printout with a metallic shade that matches the accent colors in the printout. Add three painted wood knobs around the bottom of the tin, creating small feet to heft it up. Fill the top with flower arrangements to finish the look.

Ready-to-assemble book nooks and dioramas are all the rage, but you could also design your own miniature scene from scratch. Craft an adorable diorama using a coffee canister as the stage. Decorate the inside with trees and a cottage-style home like the DIYer willinrowarts, or design your own scene using pieces from a material kit, like the QuarenDen Diorama Supplies Kit. Add to the finished look by making the coffee can diorama an ambient light source with small LED tealights or miniature string lights.

Transform a coffee tin into a mosaic art piece using a genius method shared by the TikToker fimosaic. Start by wrapping the tin in a layer of masking tape. Slice down one side of the masking tape with a crafting knife, being careful not to wrinkle or fold it over. Put peel-and-stick or glue-on mosaic tiles in rows across the masking tape, then re-wrap it around the coffee tin. You now have a gorgeous mosaic receptacle for writing utensils or other organizational purposes around your home.

It's never too early to start thinking about Halloween. Take a page out of the TikToker luckylittlepennycrafts' book, and start prepping for the spooky season with an upcycled coffee container. Use paint and a set of googly eyes to turn a coffee can into Frankenstein or another traditional Halloween character. Fill it to the brim with candy and set it out on a countertop. Don't toss the coffee container lid, as you can use this to keep your candy sealed and safe from wandering hands and unwanted household pests.

Transform a coffee container into something fun for the whole family, including your beloved pets. The TikTok account bindisbucketlist came up with a DIY KONG-inspired pet toy idea. Drill holes in random spots around the plastic container, and use sandpaper to soften any sharp edges. Place a few  dog or cat treats inside the coffee container and seal it shut again with the lid. Let your pets roll it around on the ground, creating a stimulating treat dispenser toy to keep them busy, happy, and well-fed.

Start collecting empty bulk-size coffee tins. Once you have a set of two or more, you can put them to better use as clever home organization. Wrap the outside in peel-and-stick paper to give them a more aesthetic touch, but otherwise, very little DIY is needed. The TikToker charlesecarlini uses their set of six upcycled coffee tins to store all kinds of office supplies, including pencils, paper clips, and other desk items that would otherwise cause clutter in drawers.

Bulk-size coffee ground containers aren't the only ones good for genius repurposing ideas around a home. If you use tall and thin canisters of coffee, these empty containers can also be put to good use. Cover them in wrapping paper to hide the metal exterior. Add burlap bows or burlap patches to give them a cozy rustic look and use them to stow makeup brushes and other cosmetics on a vanity. The original DIYer, TikToker fllynski, also added masking tape with handwritten labels to indicate what's contained in each jar.

Turn an old coffee container into a chic toilet plunger holder to mask these unglamorous home essentials. Follow the TikToker redeux_style's clever steps by first covering the can and lid in contact paper or peel-and-stick. Cut a hole in the lid wide enough to fit around the plunger handle. Stow the plunger in this decorated coffee canister beside your toilet. The beauty of this idea is that it's quick and cheap to make. If it accumulates grime over time, throw the container away and replace it with another upcycled coffee tin.

There's another way to reuse coffee containers for your pets' benefit. The TikTok account redeux_style shared another idea where they turned these canisters into subtle storage for dog bags. Slice the top of the coffee tin into pizza slices, creating a dispenser-like opening for baggies to fit through. Tuck the roll of dog bags into the canister, making them easy to grab as needed. You can leave the canister as is, or add paint, decoupage, or other decorative embellishments to make it less of an eyesore in your space.

One of the most genius ways to use coffee tins is only visible after dark. The TikToker sibster_made shared their process for creating outdoor luminaries from old coffee containers. Drill holes in the tins at random or in deliberate patterns, like spirals and star shapes. For the best results, drill using 3/32" masonry drill bits. When finished drilling, place a battery-powered tealight inside so there are no cords or wires to worry about. Set up the luminaries inside your home or outdoors to add light and a decorative touch to your space.

Make your yard more inviting to local birds with YouTuber Pearls and Fiddlesticks' clever outdoor DIY that uses an old coffee container. Take a coffee tin, remove the bottom with a can opener, and spray paint the outside for aesthetic appeal. Cut the lid in half and use E6000 Craft Adhesive to glue each half to both open ends. Pull twine or fishing line through the middle and tie it in a bow, so the creation can hang, and fill the middle with birdseed. You now have a miniature feeder to spoil small visiting birds.