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.

Lou

5 out of 5 stars

"Lovely little tins perfect for lots of things would buy again"

Little TINS, Lovely little TINS, All over pattern, Quality metal storage tins, Cute round tins, gift idea,
A R

4 out of 5 stars

"fast delivery and well packaged , the tin had a couple of scratches on the bottom however. i turned it into a cute tin wallet, perfect size!!"

Barkley's Tastefully Intense Mints 8 Flavours to Choose from, 50g Each
holly warner

4 out of 5 stars

"The frame arrived earlier than expected which was great. The only thing I was disappointed with was the writing on the tin was a little wonky but overall a lovely present."

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

5 out of 5 stars

"Very cute tin boxes! Ideal for gift giving."

Storage tins, by Emma Ball, pocket tins, sliding lid, choice of cute designs, Sheep, Puffins, Knitters, Penguins, Woollies, Kittens
Emma

5 out of 5 stars

"A lovely tin and perfect for my friend! Thank you!"

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

Tins

Vintage Artstyle Butterfly Tin Box | Cookie Tin | Medium Rectangular Tin | Floral Print Tin | Kitchen Canisters

Antique bomboniere from the Art Nouveau period sugar bowl with painting shabby vintage France

Authentic Vintage Droste's Cocoa Tin - Exclusive Retro Kitchen Decor

Metal tin coffee tin vintage Eichhorn Hannover coffee tin tin poppy flowers poppies anniversary tin

70s storage tin mice Wächtersbach

Set of 6 old Droste Tins including miniature edition and anniversary tin

Vintage old French Set of 5 canisters La Fontaine Fables 5 lithograph tin box 1900s/1920s

SEAL Team 6 metal zyn can, zyn tin, custom snus container, tobacco, dip , gift for nicotine pouches

Antique tin can Petit beurre Caiffa from France Shabby

Daher Tin Box - pink and green floral roses buds cottage sweet

Vintage tin canister battle theme antique metal box

stash tin handmade, unique witchy spell tin, handmade spell tin, trinket box, resin box, candle tin, unique jewelry box, ritual tool box

Vintage EMSA spice rack 70s plastic red / colorful Prilblumen retro seventies mid century shabby chic country style

Venz chocolate sprinkles, cans of milk and dark chocolate

Strawberry, small tin, small gift, souvenir, tin with lid

Louise Carling Vintage Tin Green Apple Flower Storage Container England Metal

Vintage Husman's Cheddar Cheese Popcorn Tin Can ~ Husman Potato Products Cincinnati Ohio - Cincinnati's First Potato Chip Company

Vintage 1970s. set 4 tin box container Chinese Tikuan Yin tea, Pu-Erh tea

Vintage Metzke Pewter Wreath Tin with Horn - Christmas Cookie Container, Unique gift idea

Decorative vintage Mekter Tee container Blue Mint Silver Vintage Tee storage German Mid Century storage can with Lid Small decorative dose

Antique Coffee Tin Black Metal with Lid Sunset Club Choice Mocha + Java Coffee Large Coffee Can Joannes Bros Green Bay WI Advertising

Vintage Old Style Tin Box Co. Coca-Cola Coke Tin With Hinged Lid -A30

Vintage Candy Tin, Jinglebits ATOMIC Mobile, Christmas Decor

Set of 5 Vintage Floral Nesting Tins | 5 piece vintage canister set

Old metal biscuit box / Petit Beurre Biscuits / CAIFFA brand / Vintage decoration / Old box collection / France

Antique 1920s Mennen Talcum for Men Natural Tint 9oz Tin

Vintage 1995 Red Man Chewing Tobacco Tin Box Morning Trio Whitetail Deer Ltd T6

Vtg Edward Sharp & Sons Lithograph Floral Metal Tin Candy Biscuit Tea Made In England Unique Shape

London bridge toffee metal box

Jules Destrooper Belgium Empty Biscuit Tin - Collectable Tin 17.5 x 13 cm

Vintage Danish Butter Cookie Tin with Christa Kieffer Artwork

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

Silicone mold acorn tin with lid decoration Deco Raysin mold casting compound

Vintage 1990 Martha White Flour Advertising Tin Canister - Collectible - Country Kitchen - Farmhouse Décor

Mary Engelbreit "Secret Love" tin box 1984

Antique casket tin Napoleon III style souvenir with dedication from 1884 Aachen

Vintage Daher tin, floral wildflowers pattern, finial knob lid, meralware with colorful flowers, made in England rare collectible container

Someone Added A Different Lid To This Antique Campfire Marshmallow Tin And It’s Perfection

Vintage Tins for Storage or Decoration - Set of 5, Sucrets, Whitman Paris France, Audubon, Saylor’s - Trinkets, Jewelry, Stash, Crafts

Blue Fluted Lace Pattern Royal Copenhagen Collectible Biscuit Cookie Tin Signed by Liz Folding 1984

Peijnenburg vintage oblong metal tin for gingerbread, gingerbread or cake in brown with orange

Vintage 1991 Barnum's Animal Crackers Tin Container Round Storage Bin 1990s T6

Geese Tin Set

Charles Chips Potato Chip Can

Purdy's Chocolate Tin, Bunny Rabbit Family Collector Box, All around Picture, Jewelry Box, Keepsake Trinket Dish, with Lid

Decoupaged tin can with durable acrylic sealant, choice of three, flowers, birds, pen holder, brush holder, planter, vase

Vintage Artmark Chicago Set Of 3 Round Christmas Nesting Tins

Lot of 8 Amazing Small Vintage Medicine and First Aid Tins Lot TWO

Vintage English tea Tin container box with Lid Coffee Shop themed Retro English Canister Tin can Retro Kitchen decor Housewarming gift idea

RARE Vintage Falcon Dainty Mints Tin

Antique container tea caddy Thomsberger & Hermann Colditz with windmills and ships made of porcelain Shabby vintage

Vintage 1989 SNICKERS Candy Bars Radio Boom Box Tin Container Storage Box 80s T6

Vintage Floral Tin With Lid - Square Tin Canister- Tulips/Roses - Measures 5.75in Tall

Vintage Planters Peanuts Tin 1994, vintage advertising tin

A & P Coffee Can Collectible Tin, Vintage Kitchen Display

Droste Cocoa powder tins in various sizes - released by the well-known Dutch cocoa / chocolate brand Droste, in Haarlem

Vintage Daher Decorated Ware Tray, Collectible Metal Biscuit Dish, England, Asian Garden Artwork, Colorful Patterns, Pagoda Scene, 1971

BB enameled sheet metal matchbox with rose garland decoration

Personalised Floral Teacher Sticker Storage Tin

Antique Tin Document Box, painted tin box, antique lunch box, antique deed box. Chic Shack Antique

Vintage tin with Dutch images Vintage bicuit tin Decorative tin box Metal round tin box with lid Scandinavian decor Retro kitchen decor

Romac Motorcycle Puncture Repair Tin, Great Graphics!

Retro Mickey Mouse Tin Box

Vintage Cream Tin "Ballonoff" Canister with Bouquet of Flowers on front & Back/Ivy Leaf Border - About 5in Tall - USA

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