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

Antique "Coffee" tin

Antique Face Powder Tin - Vintage Max Factor Society Face Powder - Honeycomb Black Background - Dark Metal Storage Box - Old Hollywood

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

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

LOVELY Vintage English PINK Biscuit Tin,Hinged Lid ,Canister Tin,Embossed Swan,Litho Box,Vintage Tin Boxes,Collectible Mid Century Tins

Vintage French Tin Boxes- Round Shaped Small Containers

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

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

Vintage silver gingerbread chest from Haeberlein-Metzger, Nuremberg Silver

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

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

Vintage Nabisco Barnum's Animal Cracker Tin 2002

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

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

English Hunt Scene Biscuit Tin

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

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

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

antique tin with dragon design

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

VTG Cherrydale Farms Peanut Crunch Candy Tin

Vintage Hallmark circular tin

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

Vintage fishing tackle box

Vintage Black Floral Tin Metal Lid Container Canister 5"

VTG Metal Tin Container w/ Red & Black Flowers

Personalise Dog Treats White Metal Storage Tin Snacks Puppy Gifts Ideas New Doggy - Choose Dog Breed - Birthday Christmas New Home

OREO Cookie Holiday 1 Pound Tin Container Lidded Nabisco Advertising 1990

Vintage Tin: Old Judge Coffee | Vintage Advertising | Old Judge Coffee Can | Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen | Tin (no lid) w/ Patina | Primitives

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

Mid Century Cloisonne Solid Brass Silent Butler; Botanical Enamel details and Domestic Scene

Vintage Floral Embossed COTE D’OR Blue Tin Canister with Gold Accents and Knobbed Lid

Vintage Round Black Floral Daher Ware England Tin

Vintage Tin Trojan Le Transparent Advertising French Paris

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

Vintage Retro Chinoiserie Oval Large Sewing Tin - Asian Motif - Double Handles - Orange/Gold/Black Background - Measures 11in Wide

Vintage Red Thrift Box Lockable Tin For Rent Coal Gas Electricity Savings

Crow tin, stitch marker tin LARGE (017)

Personalised Pitbull DogTreat Tin l Puppy Treats l Dog Lover l New Puppy Gift l Dog Biscuit Storage

Personalised Boston Terrier Dog Treat Tin l Puppy Treats l Dog Lover l New Puppy Gift l Dog Biscuit Storage

1960's - 1970's Vintage - Needlepoint Tin - Floral - Round - 8 1/4 x 3 1/8" - VERY Good Condition

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

Personalised Samoyed DogTreat Tin l Puppy Treats l Dog Lover l New Puppy Gift l Dog Biscuit Storage

Vintage Guildcraft Zodiac Astrology Tin Container Celestial Gold Black Faux Wood

Personalised Staffy Dog Treat Tin l Staffie l Staffordshire Bull Terrier l Puppy Treats l Dog Lover l New Puppy Gift l Dog Biscuit Storage

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

Personalised Dachshund Dog Treat Tin l Sausage Dog l Puppy Treats l Dog Lover l New Puppy Gift l Dog Biscuit Storage

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

Vintage Typhoo Caddy, Tin

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

Vintage oriental style tin, container, for biscuits, Japanese theme images with birds sitting on bamboo branch, floral illustration sides

Antique casket butterfly buxom perfume soap jewelry box true vintage

Collectible Vintage 1970's Keller-Charles Square Bird Cage Tin

Vintage Daher 8-Sided Tin with Hinged Lid

Vintage Olive green tin

Vintage 1980s Famous Danish Selection Butter Cookie Tin, Artist Carl Larsson 7.5 x 5.5 inches tall FREE SH

Vintage, decorative, metal tin .

Round Green Mint Souffles Candy Tin / E.G. Whitman & Co Inc / Theater Masks

Vintage 1983 Johnnie Walker Red collectors tin (no alcohol)

vintage beautiful large orange tin with key, Japanese inspired theme, cranes, flamingo's, ideal for storing sweets, postcards, letters ...

Guildcraft Gold Tin

large tin box octagon shape double sided boy girl Victorian with vintage sewing supplies

Blue Floral Metal Tin | Oval Roses Vanity Storage Container | GreenTreeBoutique

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

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