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

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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.

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)
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
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
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!!
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

Tins

Baked By Personalised Cake Tin, Personalised Baking Tin, Watercolor Tin, Baking Gift, Personalised Birthday Gift, Gift For Cake

Pouch Keeper - Zyn Pouch Screw Container Compact and Stylish Nicotine Pouch Holder | Perfect Gift for Him, Her, Christmas & More

Pouch Keeper - Zyn Pouch Container - Nicotine Holder - Screw Container for Nicotine

Vintage DUCATI 60 mint box Miniature tin box Nostalgic retro motorcycle Ducati Cucciolo Motorcycle Lovers accessories Ducati memorabilia

Vintage H.M. Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Tin, Pinkish-Lavender and Pale Blue Borders, by Edward Sharp & Sons, Circa 1953

Crow tin, stitch marker tin LARGE (017)

Vintage French Tin Box- Yellow Gold Color with Bold Lettering and Graphics

Altoid Tin Tackle Box! Tool Box! Jewelry Box!

Vintage Lid Tin 70s Plastic Beige/Green Retro Seventies Mid Century Shabby Chic Country Style

Lovely empty mini book tin Cioccolatini VenchiEmpty Venchi Chocolate Book-Shaped Collectible Tin Box Made in Italy empty tin

Beautiful London Empty Tin London Red bus tin collectible mini tin + London characters tin UK tins x 2 England Brand: New English teas

Antique Cadbury Silver Jubilee Tin, 1910 to 1935, Small, Thin Profile, Includes Original Card with Handwriting on Back

RARE Colorful Red Antique French DAMOISEAU Hinged Biscuit/Cookie Tin; Biscuiterie De Montreull (Cookie Factory) Advertising Tin

Vintage silver gingerbread chest from Haeberlein-Metzger, Nuremberg Silver

Vintage Bath Powder Tin, Lavender Bath, Feminine Floral Container, Bathroom Display

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

11x vintage spice jars

Baking is My Love Language Cake Tin, Personalised Baking Tin, Watercolor Baking Tin, Baking Gift, Personalised Birthday Gift, Cake

Vintage Daher Design CAP-TINS Litho Tin made in England, CHOICE of Rabbit or Snowwoman Tin

Vintage Canco Red Gold and Green Tin- Great Graphics!

Vintage Las-Stik Wax Treated Car And Home Cloth Gas Oil Tin Auto Garage

Vintage Metal Tin/England/Cherub, Village Scene, Ginger Wafer, Holland Enameled Round, Duncan Chocolates Scotland/Your Choice

Guildcraft Metal Biscuit Cookie Tin w Lid Vintage Gold Grape Embossed Made USA

Baking Because Murder is Wrong Cake Tin, Personalised Baking Tin, Watercolor Baking Tin, Baking Gift, Personalised Birthday Gift, Cake

Vintage 1960s Oval Black Tin Container Metal Floral Collectible w/Lid, Tin with Flowers, Wedgwood and Rose Tin, Carr Biscuits England *read*

Large Antique tin canister store display. Pink

English Hunt Scene Biscuit Tin

De Ruiter oranje hagel blik, Queen and Princess Holland, 1980

Fuck off I'm Baking Cake Tin, Personalised Baking Tin, Watercolor Baking Tin, Baking Gift, Personalised Birthday Gift, Cake

Happy Birthday - Edward Sharp & Sons Toffee Tin - Golden Cocker Spaniel Puppy, Balloons and Streamers Tin/Container

Antique Marvella Typewriter Tin Vintage Turquoise Black White

OREO Cookie Holiday 1 Pound Tin Container Lidded Nabisco Advertising 1990

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

Celestial swallows tin (022)

Pouch Keeper Tidy Stash - Divider Container: Keep Your Empty Nicotine and Zyn Pouches Neatly Organized | Holds 15 Full Pouches!

Vintage Dark Red Embossed Faux Leather Covered Round Biscuit Tin, Peacock Tin, Tin Collection

Empire Sewing Thread Tin; Sewing Tin, Thread Tin, Sewing Notion Tin, Sewing Collectible, Sewing Decor, Collectible Tin

Vintage Storage Tin Container Doral Collector's Edition - 1996

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

Vintage Velvet Tobacco Tin, Antique Collectors Tin

Forgive Me Father metal zyn can, zyn tin, custom snus container, tobacco, dip , gift for nicotine pouches

Vintage Tin container Metal Storage Jar Baret Ware England Art Grace Biscuit Candy Tea Container

Vintage Tin Canister Small Rose Tin Made In England.

Holiday Decorated Metal Square Double Handle Tin With Lid* 6"W X 4.5"T.

Midcentury Beech-Nut Coffee Tin

Antique Tole Tea Caddy Japonesque Design Hand Painted Tea Tin

Vintage Riley's Variety Toffee Tin Box Dutch Windmill and Sailboat

Vintage 1983 Enesco Virgo Zodiac Tarot Card Tin 5.5 by 4 Inch

Vintage Calumet Baking Powder Metal Container, Vintage Tin Container

Vintage Baby Blue and Floral Spicy Apple Blossom Body Powder Tin

Vintage Storage Tin Container Toy Shoppe 1987

Vintage Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Tin Box Company Hinged Tin Box 1993 Recipe Box

vtg Daher Floral Tin with lid, 6.5 x 2.5 inches // made in England // tea or biscuit container, jewelry, keepsake box

Gnome storage tin, David the gnome, Rien poortvliet. #89BGDAK3

Vintage Small Metal Tin/Heart with Girl, Baking Cats, Bicycle Kitty/Your Choice

Old Bicycle Advertising Tins Packaging

Vintage 1960s Retro Rustic Brown Coffee Petite Tin by Chenico

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

Vintage Maxwell House tin, 1 lb Blue Orange and White Maxwell House Coffee tin, Coffee Niche Decor, Coffee Tin Storage Caddy Planter Decor

DutchJunkYard- Twinings Special Breakfast Tea EMPTY Tin in Green and Gold Colors, Metal Tea Caddy, Square Storage Canister - England 1980s

DutchJunkYard- THE SNOW QUEEN - Kjeldsens Tin Canister Box- Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales - The Snow Queen - Michael Hague Art - 1980s

Vintage Tin Canister Tobacco Oceanic Cut Plug Tin.

Vintage Casa Via Variccio Pasta Tin - Italy Napoli Bologna Turino Green Cylinder Tin - Spaghetti Pasta Container

Jelly fish tin LARGE, Notions tin, treasure box, jewellery box (034)

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Vintage 1960s Oval Black Tin Container Metal Floral Collectible w/Lid, Tin with Flowers, Wedgwood and Rose Tin, Carr Biscuits England read