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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vintage tin canister battle theme antique metal box

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

70s storage tin mice Wächtersbach

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

Vintage Danish Butter Cookie Tin with Christa Kieffer Artwork

London bridge toffee metal box

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tooth box painted with an animal, animal of your choice

Charles Chips Potato Chip Can

Personalised Floral Teacher Sticker Storage Tin

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

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

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

Geese Tin Set

Louise Carling Vintage Tin Green Apple Flower Storage Container England Metal

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

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

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

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

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

Decorative Tin, Larkspur, Jewelry Case, Resin, Black, Pink Flowers, Pressed Flowers, Altoid-size, Sewing Kit, Purse, Great Gift, Metal

Retro Mickey Mouse Tin Box

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

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

Vintage Swift's Premium Kettle Rendered Pure Lard Tin Bucket with Handle 4 lbs Empty

Some Golf Thing Pouch Guard Twist Limited Production Run

Baked By Personalised Cake Tin, Personalised Baking Tin, Watercolor Tin, Baking Gift, Personalised Birthday Gift, Gift For Cake

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

Bois Cheri in a gift box coconut vanilla cheap!

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

RARE Vintage Falcon Dainty Mints Tin

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

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

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

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

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

Lidded jar Villeroy & Boch Audun Ferme, 4.5 cm high

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

Vintage Floral Yellow Tin by Huntley and Palmers

Crow tin, stitch marker tin LARGE (017)

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

Gardening Bits Storage Tin with Custom Name, Greenhouse Box For Seeds/Gardening Essentials, Personalized Gardener Gift Ideas

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

Vintage 1983 Avon Grandmothers/Grandfathers Are Special Tin Set

Players Navy Cut metal hinged 4.25" by 6" cigarette tin for Cigarette "Medium" 50 from the 1960s John Player and Sons in England. Misc 1442

BB enameled sheet metal matchbox with rose garland decoration

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

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

Romac Motorcycle Puncture Repair Tin, Great Graphics!

Primitive wooden Mailbox New

Vintage Campbells' Soup Kids Cookie Tin Box - Vintage Tin Box / Advertising Tin / Campbell's Kids / Campbell's Tin / Campbell's Box

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

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

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