The history of tin containers

Tin containers, also known as tin boxes or simply tins, are frequently used for packaging coffee, biscuits, breath mints, holiday treats, and sewing supplies. Tin containers originated in England in the early 1700s as a means of packaging snuff, but today’s tins have evolved to be both functional and decorative—with some enthusiasts even treating tins as a collector’s item. Artsy collectors often modify tin boxes with embellishments and paint to add their own unique flair. While tins are, of course, made of tin, other common materials are ceramic, plastic, wood, and aluminum. The result? Endless uses and designs to choose from.

Tins are one of the most versatile items in your home. Here are a few pretty and practical ways to use them throughout your house: Tea tins: Tea tins and coffee tins are tall, wide tins designed to store your favorite coffee or tea bags. Whether you’re after customized containers decorated with a jaunty saying or vintage tins with hand-painted borders that harken back to antique china, artisans on Etsy outdo themselves with every new design. Storage tins: Medicine, utensils, candies, cords, or hair ties. When it comes to storage tins , the only limit is your imagination. These tins come in a kaleidoscope of shapes and sizes to suit your storage needs, and many shops on Etsy offer personalization options to ensure that you’re getting the exact style you’re looking for. Decorative tins: Sometimes, all you want is a tin shaped like a Polaroid camera or an oblong tin container decked out with Art Deco engravings. From collectibles for your curiosity cabinet to dining table centerpieces, decorative tins offer a fun way to dress up your home.

Organizing with tin containers

In the modern home or business, there’s a call for discreet and space-conscience storage options. Tin containers hear this call and deliver. Even vintage cookie tins reflect how storage can blend in seamlessly with the existing aesthetic of a room, rather than cluttering your spaces. Alongside their variety of uses, endless design options, and ease of cleaning, tin containers are more than just a home decor trend—they’re nothing short of a must-have staple.

Tins

(30,710 Results)

There's so much more for you to discover

Review spotlight

Here is a selection of four-star and five-star reviews from customers who were delighted with the products they found in this category.

Amber Wallin

5 out of 5 stars

"This is so cool! Very sturdy 3D print, and I love that the tin still smells like cinnamon Altoids."

Altoid Tin Travel Watercolor Palette!!
Angela

5 out of 5 stars

"I’m a repeat customer of this shop because the tins are so pretty and of good quality. The lid design is lovely and the tin makes a perfect pill box."

Crow tin, stitch marker tin SMALL (017)
Sophia

5 out of 5 stars

"Little Cloverine tin arrived speedily and in excellent condition. Travis (and kids) enclosed a very warm thank you note that made me smile and think about it throughout my day. Thank YOU Travis and your beautiful family for such wonderful customer service and this thoughtful moment of connection amidst the pandemic. Hoping you're all happy and healthy. - Mari"

Rare Vintage Cloverine Aspirin Tin, Tyrone, PA 1940s
Marie Elena O'Brien

4 out of 5 stars

"I would love this item, but I was extremely disappointed that the art was applied upside down to the direction that the tin opens."

Ivy & Laurel Mucha altered tin
Kathleen Woodruff

4 out of 5 stars

"Cute little tins for a birthday basket."

Set of 4 Ladybug Tins, Hinged Tin, Small Metal Tin, Tiny Tin, Decorative Tins

Tins

Tin Box bundle of 4 | Trinket Box Collectors | home decor vintage collection tea tin boxes kitsch old antique colourful decorative storage

Vintage Hershey's Cocoa Gold Metal Tin Canister- Baby in a Cocoa Bean- Square Collectible Tin

Decorative Tin, Storage Box, Metal Tin, Forget Me Not, Blue Flowers, Jewelry Case, Resin, Pressed Flowers, Altoid-size, Sewing Kit, Purse

Vintage Red Rose Coffee Metal Tin - 1 lb. Tin (empty) without Lid

Altoid Tin Tackle Box! Tool Box! Jewelry Box!

Cookie Tin- Catchall Tin- Vintage English Tin- Cracked Flower Tin – Tea Tin-Treasures Tin- Unique Tin- Housewarming Gift- Gift for Her

Personalised Darts Storage Tin, Fathers Day, Gifts for Him.

Vintage Clipper Coffee & Chicory Round Tin - Antique Rusty Patina Metal Can

Personalised Gaming Snacks Black Tin l Boy l Mens l Christmas Gift l Treat Tin l Sweets l Tin l Christmas Tin l Present l Mens Gift l Dad

Vintage Rare Round Tin with Floral Buttons

Vintage Rectangular Floral Tin Box/Container - Made in Holland

Vintage Helen Harrison Candies Tin | Black Floral Tin Storage Container | Metal Box With Lid

Rectangular Slide Top Tins，Solid perfume sliding tins，lip balm sliding tins, 9 colors, suitable for crafts, storage.

Pouch Guard-Container- Different Versions - Perfect for ZYN and other pouches

EDC Titanium Alloy Can Sealed Storage Box Camping Gear Portable Medicine Organizer Coffee Can

3 Pack - Metal Tins | Blank Altoid Tins, Hinged Lid Tin Boxes for Wedding Favors, Embroidery Supply Storage, Craft Projects - RECTANGLE TINS

Vintage NESTLE Toll House Cookies Tin Chocolate Chip Cookies Farm Scene Boy Home Red Decorative Tin Retro Kitchen Nostalgia PanchosPorch

Vintage SUNSHINE BISCUIT Metal Tin Oval Cookie Tin Statue of Liberty Bell Americana Trays Lidded Decorative Tin Kitchen Storage PanchosPorch

Guildcraft Gold Tin

Vintage Daher 8-Sided Tin with Hinged Lid

Vintage silver gingerbread chest from Haeberlein-Metzger, Nuremberg Silver

Vintage Brach's Candy Floral Cross Stitch Cookie Tin; Vintage Floral Cookie Tin; Round Cookie Tin

1920's 30's Tin Box, Netherlands, Dutch Holland Old Tin Art Box, Family Depiction, Traditional Colorful Storage, 8.5 x 5" Memories Letters

Collectible Life Savers Engine Truck Tin, Vintage Five Flavor Candy Tin, The Tin Box Company 1997, Candy Storage Tin Box

Japanese Style Tea Tins 24 OZ

Vintage Kurt Busch No 97 Tin Rubbermaid Racing Sam Bass Collectors Series Tin NASCAR Racing Memorabilia Sharpie Velveeta Panchosporch

Vintage Decorative Tin, Made in Holland, Memory Box For Cards, Letters, Photos & Other Trinkets

Mariana Madrani Cocaine Chewing Gum - reproduction patent medicine tin for reenactors, cosplay, gamers - perfect gift

Vintage Tea Tins - Melrose's Tea and More

Vintage Tin Tea or Biscuit Caddy ~ Canister ~ Container

Vintage Tin Tea Container

Preloved Churchill’s Confectionery Exotic Tropical Parrots Shortbread Rounds Empty Colourful Tall Square Hinged Tin | Maximalist Home Decor

Crow tin, stitch marker tin LARGE (017)

Vintage 90s Potpourri Press, Green and Red, Christmas Metal Tin Box, with Fox, Made in USA

Vintage 1940s Tin Box Made in France Japanese Women in traditional dress in garden

Steampunk metal box set, Mechanical tin, Personalized box, tin box mini Christmas gift, Christmas retro gifts for men, Merry Christmas gift

Vintage Band-aid Tins - Your Choice of One

Steampunk metal box set, Mechanical tin, Personalized box, tin box mini Christmas gift, Christmas retro gifts for men, Merry Christmas gift

Tooled Leather Engraved Tin, Stash Tin, Travel Tin, Gift Box

absolutely stunning fabric box, absolute rarity brocante, 1920

Altoid Tin First Aid Kit

VTG Swiss Colony Petits Four Christmas Cookies Rectangular Tin

VTG Metal Tin Container w/ Red & Black Flowers

Vintage Nabisco Barnum's Animal Cracker Tin 2002

VTG Cherrydale Farms Peanut Crunch Candy Tin

Gorgeous round tin with no labels or name markings. Very nice condition. 8 inches round X 3.25 inches tall. Ship & treasure theme.

VTG Pennsylvania Dutch Amish Scene Tin

Embossed Claret Red Tin With Lid; Bohemian/Asian-Style Mandala Pattern; 6" Tall Square Canister

OREO Cookie Holiday 1 Pound Tin Container Lidded Nabisco Advertising 1990

Vintage Toolbox Utility Chest, Meta Industrial Decor, Rusty Farmhouse Primitive

Vintage Red Striped Bandbox Style Barker & Dobson Sweet Chocolate Box Miniature Hat Box with Pom Pom

Classic Harrods Tea Tin-Vintage Green & Gold-Made in England

Vintage Black Floral Tin Metal Lid Container Canister 5"

Beautiful Vintage Small Floral Tin - The Tin Box Company Designed by Daher - Made in England

Mellin cookie Tin box. Mellin tin box. Vintage tin box. Vintage home decor.

Vintage Tin Treasure Chest Box | German Lebkuchen Biscuit Cookie Tin

Vintage Floral Tin with Handles Oval Metal Box with Lid Sewing Basket Storage Box Biscuit Cookie Tin Retro Home Decor PanchosPorch

English Tin Lidded Trinket Box Container, Yellow Gold flower, Small rectangular Daher Tin Storage Box with crackle, Collector victorian Tin

Vintage Jam Biscuits Recipe Tin Box - The Silver Crane Company - Made in England

Vintage England Tin Box Lennards. Antique Vintage Tins, Collectable Tins, Kitchen organizer, Home Decor

Vintage Tin, Prince Albert, Tobacco, Crimp Cut, Red Tin, Hinged Lid, Small, Collectible, Tobacciana, R.J. Reynolds, Metal, Previously Owned

Vintage Pennsylvania Dutch or Amish Folk Art Oval Tin Box or Container with Handles Perfect for Sewing or other Storage

Vintage Metal Canister Green Hand Painted Folk Art Man Woman Peacock No Lid Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen PanchosPorch

Vintage NESTLE Toll House Cookies Tin Chocolate Chip Cookies Farm Scene Boy Home Blue Decorative Tin Retro Kitchen Nostalgia PanchosPorch

There's so much more for you to discover

Related to Tins