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

Camée Pastilles drum elongated Tjoklat

70s storage tin mice Wächtersbach

Louise Carling Vintage Tin Green Apple Flower Storage Container England Metal

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

Vintage tin canister battle theme antique metal box

London bridge toffee metal box

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

Vintage Mid-Century Donald Duck Orange Juice Quart Tin Can

Romac Motorcycle Puncture Repair Tin, Great Graphics!

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

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

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

Hand painted altered tin cans, acrylic paint with protective sealant flowered tin can for brush holder, pen holder, rustic decor

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

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

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

Silikonform Eichel Dose mit Deckel Dekoration Deco Raysin Gießform Gießmasse

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

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

Lid box large tea teapot goblin blue Indian motifs 1950 1960 collector's item

Vintage Danish Butter Cookie Tin with Christa Kieffer Artwork

Tin for storing matches, Zwaluw, Säkerheits Tändstickor

Vintage West Germany Quatrefoil Shaped Black European Travel Stamps Landmarks Tin Cannister

Vintage Made in Holland Green Floral Square Biscuit Tin

Botton tin, notions tin

absolutely stunning fabric box, absolute rarity brocante, 1920

Van Nelle - coffee and tea - Holland, vintage tin of Van Nelle coffee (Holland), beautiful nostalgic images, from the 1960s

Albert Heijn round storage tins, 125 years anniversary

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

Money box house donkey pink with name 10x10x5cm

Peijnenburg biscuit tin, tin, decor red white blue

Cracker Jack 1990 Limited Edition Canister Depicting Three 1920s Characters

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

Bois Cheri in a gift box coconut vanilla cheap!

Crow tin, stitch marker tin LARGE (017)

Vintage Piglet Tin- Winnie the Pooh Tin - Rare Piglet Tin - Tiny Piglet Tin - Hunkdory Tin

Vintage Mandarin Duck Hinged Tin by Mads Stage, Mandarin 'And' by Danish Artist, Collectible Tin, Duck Nature Lover Lake House Decor

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

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

Vintage 1960s Flower Power Mod Metal Recipe Index Office Box J Chein

Money box house rabbit with name 10x10x5cm

Set Indian Tree - Ironstone Tableware LTD England dinner plates green

Vintage 1950s Calumet Baking Powder can

Old tin can 'Burg Gutenfels Kaub am Rhein' pastry tin, biscuit tin, metal tin, storage tin, metal box

Storage tin, ceramic tin, ceramic storage tin, black tin with wooden lid, storage tin, personalized storage tin, tin with saying

Vintage DeWitt Antacid Powder Tin Blue White Metal Container Bathroom Pharmacy Decor Collectible Tin Advertising PanchosPorch

Macintosh's Quality Street | Round (smaller) metal packaging box with lid for fudge (diameter 13.0 cm | height 5.5 cm) | Vintage

Vintage MILK CAN Tin Dairy Fresh Mini Milkcan Farm Scene Cow Metal Container Farmhouse Kitchen Decor Collectible Tin PanchosPorch

Vintage COCA COLA Tin 1999 Astronaut Soda Jerk Fountain Scene Metal Container Kitchen Decor Collectible Tin Advertising PanchosPorch

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

Money box house personalized with raccoon 15 x 8 x 14.5 cm

Vintage Mr Coffee Tin Fresh Brewed Coffee Metal Container Farmhouse Kitchen Decor Collectible Tin Advertising PanchosPorch

Storage tin, gift, wooden tin, storage tin, Scandinavian style tin, Scandi style tin, home decoration, bathroom storage tin

Vintage Unity Mills Sugar Tin Anthorns Pure Sugar Red Black Gold Metal Storage Box England Case Mfg PanchosPorch

SMALL Sheep and pigs tin, pill box, treasure box

Personalised Gaming Snacks White Metal Storage Tin Snacks Gifts Ideas Playstation Nintendo Xbox Board Games Birthday Christmas New Home

Grey biscuit storage tin, sweetie jars, goodie box, metal tin box, storage box, hamper gift, refillable gift, gift for husband, for dad

Vintage tin Rombouts coffee plates - set of 11 Rombouts plates

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

Set Indian Tree - Ironstone Tableware LTD England soup plates green

Masterpiece of Confectionery Packaging Vintage Elegant Tin Silver Plated Box Home Decor Ideal Gift

Tooth box painted with an animal, animal of your choice

MORTON'S SALT TIN storage covered jar, girl with umbrella, 1980's

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

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