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

(30,716 Results)

There's so much more for you to discover

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

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

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

Vintage Typhoo Caddy, Tin

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

Pouch Guard-Container- Different Versions - Perfect for ZYN and other pouches

Altoid Tin Tackle Box! Tool Box! Jewelry Box!

Vintage Rare Round Tin with Floral Buttons

Confection Tin ~ Queen Elizabeth II Coronation ~ Collectible Tins

Vintage Tin Tea Container

Vintage Tea Tins - Melrose's Tea and More

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

Japanese Style Tea Tins 24 OZ

Vintage Rectangular Floral Tin Box/Container - Made in Holland

Vintage Kurt Busch No 97 Tin Rubbermaid Racing Sam Bass Collectors Series Tin NASCAR Racing Memorabilia Sharpie Velveeta Panchosporch

Vintage England Tin Box Lennards. Antique Vintage Tins, Collectable Tins, Kitchen organizer, Home Decor

50 Personalized Custom Photo Rectangle Mint Tins - Set of 50

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

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

Crow tin, stitch marker tin LARGE (017)

Vintage Helen Harrison Candies Tin | Black Floral Tin Storage Container | Metal Box With Lid

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

Vintage Tin Boxes "Feeding the Ducks & Geese

Vintage Jam Biscuits Recipe Tin Box - The Silver Crane Company - Made in England

Collectible Life Savers Engine Truck Tin, Vintage Five Flavor Candy Tin, The Tin Box Company 1997, Candy Storage Tin Box

Vintage Decorative Tin, Made in Holland, Memory Box For Cards, Letters, Photos & Other Trinkets

Personalised Metal Square Sweetie Tin

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

Vintage Nevr-Dull Magic Wadding Polish Tin 1941

2pk ~ Sliding Tins | for Lip Balm • Solid Cologne • Solid Lotion | Choose Small • Medium • Large | multiple sizes

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

A used empty limited edition After Eight tin for dressing, storage, chocolates

Vintage Tin Treasure Chest Box | German Lebkuchen Biscuit Cookie Tin

An original vintage pre Euro Panther Sprint rectangular black and gold 50 Cigarillos tin

Cornish Alphabet Storage Tin. Cornish Gifts Metal Tin. Cornwall Gifts for New Home or Cornish Retirement Gift. Cornwall Holiday Memory Box

vintage Doans pill tin

Antique tin box with lid, Soviet vintage memory box, Pill box vintage from Ukraine

Vintage Tin- Christmas Tin Container - Christmas Decor- Cookie Tin- Catchall Tin- Festive Container- Christmas Storage

Vintage SUNSHINE BISCUIT Metal Tin Oval Cookie Tin Statue of Liberty Bell Americana Trays Lidded Decorative Tin Kitchen Storage PanchosPorch

1920's 30's Tin Box, Netherlands, Dutch Holland Old Tin Art Box, Family Depiction, Traditional Colorful Storage, 8.5 x 5" Memories Letters

Large Bee and Rose stitch marker tin

Classic Vintage Candy Tins - Whitman's Surprise Tin with Snoopy Toy

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

Rusty metal box set, Customized set, Personalized tin set, tin box mini Christmas gift, Christmas retro gifts for men, Merry Christmas gift

Antique tin box with lid "ODESSA UKRAINE", Soviet vintage memory box, Pill box vintage

Ram notions tin

Beautiful Vintage Small Floral Tin - The Tin Box Company Designed by Daher - Made in England

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

Vintage Band-aid Tins - Your Choice of One

Vintage Pennsylvania Dutch or Amish Folk Art Oval Tin Box or Container with Handles Perfect for Sewing or other Storage

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

Dr. Worden's Female Pills - antique reproduction patent medicine tin for reenactors, cosplay - perfect gift for her

Vintage Tins. Collectable Antique Tins. Retro Advertising Tins. Boho Oxo/tea/Cigar/Money/Biscuit Storage Caddy. Small Vintage Storage Box.

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

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

Vintage Tin Tea or Biscuit Caddy ~ Canister ~ Container

Vintage Floral Tin with Handles Oval Metal Box with Lid Sewing Basket Storage Box Biscuit Cookie Tin Retro Home Decor PanchosPorch

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

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

Ecologies Tin - Durable Metal Travel Box for Card Games, Natural Treasures, Trinket Storage - Featuring Beautiful Vintage Art

Vintage Horner Toffee Tin Blue Floral

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

Vintage Duck Tin with Duck Figurine on Top, Ducks & Ducklings in Water Lily Pond Tin, Rectangular Tin From Giftco Inc, Lake House Decor

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

Beautiful Ornate Vintage Tin Box w Faded Patina on Lid Pink & Blue w Embossed Details Magenta Jewel Shapes Keepsake Trinket Box

There's so much more for you to discover

Related to Tins