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.

Helen

5 out of 5 stars

"Beautiful tins and lovely colours!! Very pleased with them!!"

Olive Oil retro style storage tins / pair / Rex London
IzzyB

5 out of 5 stars

"Excellent quality and made really well. Packaged securely and arrived intact. The detail in the lettering is perfect. Ordered the matching frame and it did not disappoint and the tin lid is mounted perfectly and built to last. This item has rapidly become our new favorite Living Room addition. Very happy with this purchase!"

Tin 10 Year Anniversary Frame - Framed Gift -10th - Black/White -Handmade -Stamped -Embossed - Made To Order-Wedding -Mr and Mr -Mrs and Mrs
Poppy Archer

5 out of 5 stars

"Lovely tin to fill with goodies for a ‘bring a pudding/sweets’ birthday BBQ."

Personalised Hearts Tin, Biscuit Tin, Gifts for Her, Personalised Biscuit Tin, Cute Hearts, Personalised Tin, Boho Hearts
Maureen Barrot

5 out of 5 stars

"Great tin for my friend."

Small Hinged Tins
Jessie

5 out of 5 stars

"Handy tins that are good quality"

Mini 10ml Rectangular Tin with Sliding Lid Silver - Lip Balm/Pills/Sweets/Small Parts - Gift/Favour Box - Pocket Size - Camping/Hiking edc
Susan Steinhauer

5 out of 5 stars

"As charming as pictured online. Love the sheep and gnomes that I received. Nice size tin to hold sewing items or anything special."

Storage Tins by Emma Ball, Large and extra large, storage for knitters and crafters, for needles, buttons, stitch markers, cable pins..

Tins

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

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

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

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

Vintage TEA TINS, Hankoe-Batchelor Tea Co, England

Vintage Tin Tea Container

Vintage Anacin Aspirin Tin,Metal Storage Box,Advertising Tin,Small Tin with Lid,Metal Pill Box,Tin Pill Box,Tin Litho Box

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

Vintage Tin Tea or Biscuit Caddy ~ Canister ~ Container

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

Vtg Mid-Century Gypsy Floral Biscuit Tin, Made in Holland

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

Vintage Elite Storage Tin ~ Made in England ~ Metal Canister with Lid ~ 12” Tall Box Can Container ~ Pretty Floral Paisley Tin Containers

12 Types | Portable | Mini Tin Box | pocket stash, metal container, tiny pill container, container for jewelry, candy | B410-2 | KS-MX-045

Vintage Rare Round Tin with Floral Buttons

Farmhouse Decor, Apothecary Tin, Bathroom Decor, Farmhouse Bathroom Decor, Personalized Tin, Decorative Tin, Personalized Decor, Apothecary

Personalised Botanical Floral Baking Cake Tin Gift, Personalized Cake Tin, Cake Storage Tin, Custom Cookie Tins, Mothers Day Gift, Mum Gifts

Vintage Keller-Charles Thank You Square Collectors Cookie Tin Floral Theme

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

Antique french tin art nouveau staples tin

Crow tin, stitch marker tin LARGE (017)

Vintage Band-aid Tins - Your Choice of One

Large Bee and Rose stitch marker tin

Crayola Storage Gift Tin Childhood Memories With Lid Gift Square Vintage NO Crayons

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

Vintage Tin Blue Bird Toffee Tin Niagara Falls Advertising Tin

Vintage Spice Tins Shakers -- Grocery Store Kitchen Tin Cans -- Craft Supply -- DIY Succulent Planter Tin Containers -- Farmhouse Decor

Vintage Floral Yellow Tin by Huntley and Palmers

Cactus tin LARGE, Notions tin, treasure box, jewellery box

Crayola Collector Tin W Lid Storage Gift Box Limited Edition NO CRAYONS Vintage

Vintage Johnson & Johnson Band-Aid Plastic Strips Tin Box

Farmhouse Decor, Cookie Tin, Personalized Tin, Metal Cookie Tin, Personalized Bakery Tin, Bakery Box, Kitchen Decor, Cookie Box, Gift Mom

Large Antique tin canister store display. Pink

Atlas Dust' N Polish Cloth Tin -- Vintage Automobiles Cloth -- Man Cave Garage Decor -- Retro Style Metal Tin Can -- Automobile Car Decor

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

Farmhouse Decor, Coffee Bar Decor, Kitchen Storage, Coffee Storage, Coffee Container, Coffee Pod Box, Kitchen Decor, Personalized Tin

Bensons Toffee Tin Queen Mary English Toffee Favourites Box 1930s 1940s Hinged Lid

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

Harry Potter Tins Vintage New

Tin Mini Box 3 or 6 Pk for Pocket Miniatures, Craft Supplies, Candy, Mints or Bead Storage - White Metal Slide Top Container w/Removable Lid

Springwater Cookie Co. 1988 Olive Can Tin Duck Themed Colorful

Vintage Raised Relief Tin, Ladies Fox Hunting Scene

Vintage 1983 Johnnie Walker Red collectors tin (no alcohol)

Edition 017: AMERICA Metal Snus Can, Metal Container for Zyn, ON, Velo, or Lucy, Snus Container, Tobacco Container, Dip Can, Gift for Him

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

Vintage Stylecraft Tin Metal Addresses Box, 1950s Style Box, Address Recipe Box, Retro Floral Design, Model No. 806

Vintage Matt Kenseth No 17 Tin Dewalt Racing Sam Bass Collectors Series Tin NASCAR Racing Memorabilia Kraft Velveeta Panchosporch

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

Vintage Tin Canister Nautical Tin Made In England

Wise owl tin LARGE, Notions tin, treasure box, jewellery box (023)

VTG Daher Tins for Tea Biscuit Party Favors Candy Storage Ideal for Bridal Baby Shower Gift

Personalised Art Deco Baking Cake Tin Gift, Personalised Cake Tin, Cake Storage Tin, Mothers Day Gift, Round Cake Tin, Baking Gift For Her

Vintage Tin Rexall Lavender Deodorant Talc Advertising Tin

Personalised cake tin baking gift, metal storage tin kitchen Baked By

Vintage Litho Tin Box German Black Tea, Vintage Tea Tin Boxes, tea-caddy, Collectable Tins, Home Decor

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland English Breakfast Collectable Tea Tin

Vintage Jeff GORDON No 24 Peppermint Tin Race Car Mints Small Pocket Size Candy Box NASCAR Memorabilia 2002 JP Motorsports PanchosPorch

Churchill's PETER PAN Bank Tin, Money Candy Box, Made in England, Churchill's Toffee Tin, Peter Pan Money Box Tin Bank England Souvenir

Poetry Quote Storage Tin, Emily Dickinson quotation | Wordy typography print gift for aspiring writer | Useful desk tidy, portable accessory

Vintage View of Venice Horner Tea Tin with Hinged Lid

Personalised Grandma's Bakes Floral Cake Tin For Baking, Personalized Cake Tin, Cake Storage Tin, Custom Cookie Tins, Mothers Day Gift

Asthma Medicine Tin Potter's vintage mid century

Yarn crow notions tin

Baked with Love Custom Cookie Tin, Personalized Box, Tin Box, Cookie Tin, Personalized Gift Box, Biscuit Box

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