DIYer Transforms Old Tin Cans Into The Cutest Wreath

When it comes to front door decor, nothing beats a classic wreath. It's usually the first thing visitors notice when coming to your home, and can set the tone for your entire decorative scheme. So when a rustic, farmhouse vibe is what you want (without looking like every other rustic farmhouse on the street), it's time to think outside the box, or in this case, tin. 

DIYer Sharon L. Traylor on Facebook made an entire front door wreath out of the most unconventional material: tin cans, which she attached to a wire form. With the bottom of the cans facing out in alternating directions, it mimics circular floral designs. The metal of the cans against the grain of a wooden door create an excellent, eye-catching contrast. If you want to try to make this project yourself, upcycling tin cans into something unexpected is a great way to keep them out of a landfill — and flex your creative muscles.

We're all about ditching traditional wreaths for alternatives with unique vintage charm. This project is one that takes a bit of patience; unless you have an abundance of cans lying around the house, it may take a few dinners to gather enough for a larger wreath. And because of the weight of this wreath (the collection of cans may get heavy), you might need to reinforce how you hang your wreath on the door with something stronger, like an over-the-door hanger. 

The most important need for this project? Safety. You want gloves, a protective eye covering, and space to work without anyone in the way. Tin cans cut skin, so strong gloves are essential. (The supply list on this project does not come with a tetanus shot.) 

A hammer is needed to flatten one end of the can, and a drill can be used to pierce a hole so you can secure it to a wire frame. Can glue or tape be used in place of drilling a hole? Maybe, depending on the weight of the can. The combined weight of so many cans will make it difficult to secure without drilling, but not impossible. The original DIYer used doubled fence wire to string through the holes and connect her cans. A plain metal wreath form or box wire wreath form could also be used, with the flattened end of the cans inserted into the metal form and secured with the right type of glue for metal, like epoxy or polyurethane glue.

If you want your cans to have a rusty look, you may have to DIY that, too. The original poster says she used a mix of sandpaper, peroxide, sun, and salt to age her cans before connecting them into a wreath. If you don't have the patience for rust, try painting over the metal. A dark beige or brown leather paint color can mimic the look of rust when dabbed onto the cans. Or, match your paint color to your porch decor or holiday; alternate orange and purple cans for Halloween, green, red, and gold for Christmas, or the mascot colors of your favorite sports team. Repaint for each season, or make new ones for a whole collection.