Do you love coffee? If you do, you know how those coffee cans can accumulate around the house (especially if you’re drinking coffee every day). Most households go through at least one coffee can every month and throw them away without thinking twice. But you may want to hang on to your empty coffee cans.
There are actually some pretty cool things you can do with them around your home. They can solve a number of problems that a lot of people have and are actually very handy.
If you don’t believe us, check out these 35+ uses for them.
Got an empty coffee can lying around? Cut a small hole in the top of your can and use it as a plastic bag dispenser. Better than storing your bags underneath the sink.
Making cookies and you can’t find your cookie cutters? No problem. You can use a coffee can to cut out perfect biscuit shapes. Happy baking!
Sometimes when it comes to decorating our homes, it’s hard to find exactly what we want in store. Instead, make what you want to see in your house. You can decorate a coffee can to make a festive vase.
Want a DIY dehumidifier? Use a coffee can and some charcoal. Get the details
here.
The holidays are quickly approaching. Stand out from your neighborhood decorations with this DIY option. You can paint a coffee can and create some adorable holiday decorations instead of buying them at the store.
You can paint a coffee can and drill some holes into it. Then place a light or candle inside of to create a cool light. You can also hang a string from it so you can hang your lantern.
Standard mailboxes are boring. Mount your coffee cans to a wall and use them to sort your mail instead! This is also a great solution if you have multiple roommates in one home.
Do you scream for ice cream? You can actually make ice cream in a coffee can. Learn how below!
Piggy banks can show you the value of saving. Cut a slit into the top and decorate your can and use it as a piggy bank. No coin purses needed.
Running out of space in your cabinet? Or do you need to make your food cabinet prettier? You can decorate your cans and create some fancy looking storage for your dry goods.
11. Temporary compost bin
Use your coffee cans as a temporary compost bin. No more running outside to your compost pile every time you have some scraps. This is great if you have chilly winters!
12. Toilet plunger / brush holder
Looking to make a DIY plunger holder? Simply cut a circle into the top and use your coffee can to hide your toilet plunger or brush. Voila!
You can also use coffee cans to keep your toiletry items organized. If you share a bathroom, this is a perfect way to organize your items. Add a little paint if you’d like for some cute bathroom decor.
Are you handy with tools and crafts? Glue some cans together and cut out the bottoms of your cans to create a wine rack. Throwaway coffee cans can now become a unique wine rack.
An empty coffee can be a home to your friendly neighborhood birds. This is an adorable and thoughtful project that the whole family can help with! Follow
this tutorial to get started.
Please note that you can only do this with tin can coffee cans, not a plastic one. Just as you could use a coffee can to cut biscuits, you can also bake bread in it too! Once the bread has cooled, decorate it to your preference and present it as a gift.
17. Burlap wrapped coffee cans
Coffee cans can be great holiday decorations, such as this Valentine’s Day example below. Wrap a coffee can with burlap material and transform them to whatever holiday and season fits best. You can add flowers, ribbons, etc. Have fun with it!
Do you sew a lot? You can use coffee cans as cubbies to store your yarn. Never lose a string with this organizational tip!
A little cleaning and a coat of paint transforms your coffee can. Behold – plant some herbs or other small plants. You have your very own custom planter at a fraction of the cost.
Did you ever play with stilts when you were a child? Now you can recreate that memory with coffee cans. You can make this simply craft for your children to play with too! Just make sure to watch them so they don’t fall.
Cake is already delicious to look at. It hardly needs more decoration. But if you like to make a full presentation, get out your brushes and paints and get creative.
22. Holiday treat containers
Are you sensing a theme with coffee cans? If that theme you’re sensing is holiday decor, you are correct. Give the gift of holiday treats in style. Use some pretty wallpaper or gift-wrapping paper to beautify a standard coffee can into a unique cookie container.
23. Jack o’Lantern with lights
The best crafts are the ones that seem hard to do, but in reality are easy. Simply clean out your coffee can and paint it orange. Use a screwdriver or nail to make your scary face and then paint that section black. Add some festive lights and bam, you have a scary Jack o’Lantern light.
24. Storage for kids’ crafts
With clearly marked coffee cans, you can easily put away your kids crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc. You’ll never get asked again where your child’s favorite crayon is. Just direct them to your bright, colorful coffee can storage containers.
This is one of the simpler DIY ideas with coffee cans. Make sure to clean the inside well to keep any food placed inside safe. Use stickers to label them and you’re all set.
College students, I’m looking at you. If you are chugging coffee to study for your midterm or finals, don’t throw away your coffee cans. You can also make a chic modern light fixture that will have your friends wondering when you became so innovative.
Have a child that’s afraid of the dark? Or do you like to dim the lights and have some relaxing candles flickering in the background? Simply use a nail or screwdriver to puncture holes in your coffee can. Add a candle and light up your patio for the summer.
Productivity is tied to your desk’s organization. If you have too many tools scrambled around, try using your old coffee can to organize them. You can also decorate it to match your office decor if you’d like.
If you do this well enough, you could sell it. It’s not as hard as it might seem, and it’s a beautiful finish. You’ll have friends wondering where you found such pretty ombre vases while they have no clue that it’s just a cleaned up, painted coffee can.
30. Pet food or pet snack containers
Some of us buy our pet food in bulk. But as the bag gets lower, it becomes more tedious to scoop out food for your beloved furry friend. So use a coffee canister instead to store some pet food. Problem solved!
Odds are you know someone in your family or friend group who has to reach for the popcorn whenever they’re watching a movie or TV show. Well, as it turns out, some coffee canisters have handled. Solve their popcorn fix with a handy DIY popcorn pail.
32. Pre-measured coffee filters
If you’re not a morning person before your cup of morning joe, fear not. Coffee canisters are here to help. Most coffee filters fit in a coffee can. All you have to do is lift up the pre-filled filter and place it in your coffee pot. Morning routines have never been simpler.
Know a Halloween lover? Surprise them with a pumpkin bank. Paint the can, puncture a hole, and that’s it. They will love it and will love you for making a handmade, thoughtful gift.
You can fit several seeds into a coffee can. This is a great solution if you plan to grow your own seeds instead of buying sets of them. And best of all? You don’t need to thoroughly clean your coffee can for this. Coffee grounds can actually be good for plants!
To me, this is a great example of one man’s trash is another one’s treasure. All the materials in this creation are things you can find around the house. For example, the candle is made of out a toilet paper roll. Genius, isn’t it?
Tired of digging through your kitchen drawers looking for that one pesky spatula? Use a coffee can to store your utensils instead! Wrap your coffee cans with contact paper or a material that is easy to clean if you keep your utensils by the stove.
I hope some of the items on this list have inspired you to get creative with your coffee cans. I know I am. Happy decorating!
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