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Organized Island » DIY

Repurposed Coffee Can

Published: Aug 2, 2019 · Modified: Jul 6, 2020 by Raquel · This post may contain affiliate links · 50 Comments

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DIY Make your own Storage containers

A repurposed coffee can is perfect for kitchen storage, as well as storage around the house. Check out this 5-minute tutorial to repurpose old coffee cans. Save money by repurposing plastic and metal coffee containers.

While growing up, my parents always taught me to reuse things I had when I could. That being said, my dad had a workshop area filled with old peanut cans, coffee cans, milk bottles, and mayonnaise jars. I often used these containers for hair ties, makeup and other things over the years.

 

Fast forward to today and one of the best uses for metal coffee cans has been a fun project and has helped me organize my kitchen.

I have been saving empty coffee cans for a while and decided to turn them into storage jars. The cans have sealable lids which makes them great for food, spice or tea storage. They are also great for homemade snacks, and seasoning mixes.

DIY Make your own Storage containers

I love using them for what I call, final call storage. I store things that are taking room in my pantry, but due to their low quantity, they could be stored in smaller containers. These are also nice for rice, cereal, and crackers.

First, I emptied the cans of the remaining coffee and washed them out. The empty coffee cans had plastic lids which were washed as well.

 

Empty coffee can

Then I measured out decorative adhesive paper to cover the sides of the can and covered the sides

Then I covered the cans by lining up the top of the contact paper to the top of the can, just under the lip.

reusing coffee cans

I wrapped each can completely so that the can was entirely covered by the paper. 

 Then I cut some labels using some chalkboard sticker paper

This is how they came out. I loved how the repurposed old coffee cans came out.

 

 

I used chalkboard labels so that I could change the label from time to time. These are also a nice way to change up your kitchen decor simply (and inexpensively)! Remember, you can use other types of food cans and decorate them too!

Supplies for Repurposing Coffee Containers

Adhesive paper  - This paper is available in many different prints and styles.

Clean coffee cans - Coffee cans work well because their edges are usually suitable for repurposing. 

Scissors

Labels - I like these waterproof labels for this project. 

 

Cheap storage solutions - repurposed coffee cans are perfect for some many things!

For additional cheap storage solutions, check out these dollar store organizing solutions.

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About Raquel

Southern California mom who blogs about time-saving recipes, entertaining and party ideas.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Creative Mind

    June 20, 2012 at 2:43 am

    This is so smart..what a perfect idea for reuse/recycle..and so beautiful as well 🙂

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 20, 2012 at 6:00 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. Holly

    June 20, 2012 at 4:41 am

    A great repurpose. And they look good too! Thanks for linking up to the All Star Block Party.

    Reply
  3. Arod

    June 20, 2012 at 5:23 am

    adorable love the paper 😉

    Reply
  4. Kristi

    June 20, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    Those are great!! They look like something from Target or even better!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 20, 2012 at 8:12 pm

      Thanks Kristi! They were simple to do too!

      Reply
  5. Nicole Hughes (@BetweenTwoRams)

    June 21, 2012 at 7:06 am

    A craft that even I can do! And I just so happen to have an empty coffee can lol

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 21, 2012 at 6:11 pm

      Yay! Let me know if you do it - I would love to see it!

      Reply
  6. Elena

    June 21, 2012 at 10:00 am

    What a cool idea! I'm visiting from SITS 🙂

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 21, 2012 at 6:10 pm

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  7. luv4coffee

    June 21, 2012 at 10:21 am

    My kind of craft! Easy, creative and ... COFFEE! 😉 LOL! ... Very good idea!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 21, 2012 at 6:09 pm

      Yes! I thought of you when I did this 😉

      Reply
  8. Ashley Marie

    June 21, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Awesome job! Very crafty and beautiful! I can't wait to try!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 21, 2012 at 6:10 pm

      Thanks Ashley!

      Reply
  9. Tori Nelson

    June 22, 2012 at 7:13 am

    So cute! I'm still getting a hang of the whole DIY thing (read: how many times can I hot glue my hand to the carpet?), but this makes me want to try!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 23, 2012 at 6:38 am

      LOL I know what you mean Tori. I hope you try this.

      Reply
  10. Rachel

    June 22, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Wow, those look really nice! Since they were coffee cans already, you know for sure they're safe for food storage, which is definitely a plus! 🙂

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 23, 2012 at 6:40 am

      Yes, thank you for stopping by Rachel 🙂

      Reply
  11. opinionatedant

    June 23, 2012 at 12:30 am

    Cute idea! I've never seen the chalkboard labels before did you get them at a craft store?

    My sister painted a few jars but have to try it out. Wonder if it'd work with pickle jars because I have a ton of those!

    Found you through SITS forum. Night.

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 23, 2012 at 6:41 am

      I found them at Staples - they are the Avery brand and are peel and stick. I think pickle jars would be perfect!

      Reply
  12. Tina @ Like Ordinary Life

    June 23, 2012 at 7:13 am

    Ok. This is awesome. I LOVE that contact paper. This is SO much cheaper than buying expensive Pottery Barn like containers. However, honestly, we aren't a coffee family :O

    Stopping over from SITS!

    Reply
  13. [email protected]

    June 23, 2012 at 7:34 am

    Very pretty and practical. Wish you didn't have to drink coffee to get the cans!

    Visiting from SITS.

    Reply
  14. motheringfromscratch

    June 23, 2012 at 11:32 am

    {Melinda} Love this idea! So cute -- and functional! I'm not a coffee drinker, though. Gotta be something else that will substitute ..hmmmm. Maybe Quaker Oats canisters?

    Very cute blog ... subscribing. 😉

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 24, 2012 at 7:20 am

      Yes, I think oatmeal canisters or peanut cans would work. Thank you for visiting 🙂

      Reply
  15. misssrobin

    June 23, 2012 at 5:53 pm

    What a great idea. They are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    Stopping by from SITS. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  16. Ambreen

    June 23, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    What a lovey idea, this looks so cute! Thanks Raquel for visiting me and for your sweet words 🙂

    Reply
  17. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.

    June 24, 2012 at 5:29 am

    Super cute! Love how they turned out! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!

    Reply
  18. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates

    June 24, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    So simple and they turned out really cute!

    Reply
  19. Tanya

    June 25, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    Love this idea!

    Reply
  20. Carolyn

    June 27, 2012 at 7:22 am

    I like these a LOT!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 27, 2012 at 7:03 pm

      Thanks Carolyn!

      Reply
  21. Michelle Day

    June 27, 2012 at 9:27 am

    Oh my gosh I love this idea! I love the contact paper you used too. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday last week. I can't wait to see what you link up this week. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Michelle

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 28, 2012 at 6:20 am

      Thanks Michelle! You have a wonderful weekend too!

      Reply
  22. elizabeth

    July 15, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    Such a cute tutorial! I'm your newest follower from Aloha Hop!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      July 15, 2012 at 9:41 pm

      Thank you for your sweet comment Elizabeth!

      Reply
  23. Frank Zweegers

    July 20, 2012 at 6:06 am

    How to make nice cans out of boring ones, nice job!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      July 20, 2012 at 6:39 am

      Thanks Frank, might I say they do not even come close to the cans you turn into art! Those are great pieces. Thank you for stopping by.

      Reply
  24. Jessi @ Practically Functional

    July 20, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    That's a great upcycling idea! I have an old coffee can on my desk to hold all my pens and pencils and ruler and stuff, but it isn't decorated or anything, just boring silver right now 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this at The Fun In Functional!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      July 20, 2012 at 3:17 pm

      Thank you for stopping by Jessi! I loved the link party!

      Reply
  25. Diana

    August 16, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    I did the same thing but I used empty formula cans! I have the same paper too... They look great and can be used for so many different things, I used mine as a cake pop holder centerpiece for my birthday 🙂

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      August 17, 2012 at 5:03 am

      What a great idea! I have been meaning to try cake pops. Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply
  26. Jenni @ Sweet Pennies

    February 21, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    Such a cute idea! Looks super easy to do too. I've been finding ways to reuse my old coffee cans so I'm glad I found this idea!

    Reply
  27. Tamara

    August 07, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    How cool is this?? I was thinking of repurposing some for banks for my kids. I love the idea.

    Reply
    • Raquel

      August 08, 2017 at 9:10 pm

      Thanks, I love how easy they are to upcycle!

      Reply
  28. Kim~madeinaday.com

    August 05, 2019 at 1:02 pm

    Super cute idea! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! We hope you will join us again next week!
    Kim

    Reply
    • Raquel

      August 06, 2019 at 7:21 pm

      Thank you! I will be there!

      Reply
  29. Julie

    August 07, 2019 at 3:01 pm

    Such a practical idea, I love a good upcycle.

    Reply
  30. Michelle

    August 11, 2019 at 9:44 am

    Your coffee can upcycle (recycle?) is gorgeous! And prettier than most containers you could buy for this purpose. Lovely!

    Reply
    • Raquel

      August 12, 2019 at 3:25 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  31. Jenny

    August 18, 2019 at 10:24 am

    What an inspiring idea to repurpose this. I love when items get a second chance to be beautiful. I'll be featuring it tonight at Merry Monday. Hope to see you at the party.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Raquel! I am a self-proclaimed foodie and have enjoyed cooking and baking since I was little. I loved baking cookies with my mother and grandma as a child, and later making dinners for my parents to foster my passion while in high school. I also had a passion for organizing and keeping things tidy.

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