Don’t let empty paint cans end up in the trash—they’re perfect for different DIY jobs around your home. From streamlining your workspace to adding distinctive touches to your decor, these sturdy cans can be transformed into both useful and stylish elements. Our guide includes creative ideas for upcycling paint cans, helping you reduce waste and add unique style to your home.
Steps for Paint Can Recycling
Before repurposing paint cans, you should follow proper cleaning and disposal methods to make sure your upcycling projects are safe and environmentally friendly.
Start by removing as much paint as possible from the cans. When working with latex paint, let any remaining paint dry completely before peeling it out. If you’re dealing with oil-based paints, use paint thinner to eliminate residue. Always perform this task in a well-ventilated area and protect your hands with gloves.
We recommend consulting your local waste management facility for specific disposal guidelines. Many communities provide special collection days for household hazardous waste, including paint. In some areas, you may be able to dispose of completely dried latex paint in regular trash.
Using Paint Cans in Home Improvement
Try these creative uses for paint cans in your next home improvement project.
- Mix concrete for small projects: Large paint cans are perfect for mixing small batches of concrete. This method is particularly useful for quick repairs that don’t require a full bag of concrete. The handle makes it easy to carry and pour when patching small holes or setting posts.
- Organize tools and supplies: Clean cans can hold screws, nails, and other small hardware. For a magnetic solution, attach adhesive-backed magnets to the bottoms of small paint cans and stick them to a metal strip on the wall for easy access to frequently used items.
- Stir and store paint: Obviously, paint cans are designed to hold paint, so they make great containers for mixing and storing other paints. Label the cans with their contents and use them when you start a new project. You can keep both original paint and custom-mixed colors in these cans.
Decorative DIY Projects With Paint Cans
With a little creativity, paint cans can become unique decorative elements in your home. Try the following unique DIY projects.
Craft Rustic Planters
You can create a hanging planter from a large paint can. Start by drilling drainage holes in the bottom and threading chain through holes near the top. Fill with potting soil and add trailing plants like petunias for a charming outdoor display.
Create Unique Lighting Fixtures
Turn a large paint can into a distinctive lampshade. Remove the bottom with a can opener and drill decorative holes in the sides. Paint the can to match your decor, then fit it over a lamp socket for a custom lighting fixture that adds character to any room.
Design a Mail Holder
A painted can be a simple yet stylish mail holder for your entryway. Paint the can to match your decor, fix it to the wall with screws, and use it to hold letters and paperwork. It’s a convenient solution that adds a touch of personal style to your home.
Outdoor Applications for Paint Cans
Paint cans can withstand the elements, making them ideal for outdoor projects that add functionality and charm to your yard or garden. Try one of the below outdoor upgrades:
- Build a bird feeder: Remove the lid from a clean paint can and tie twine around the middle to hang it sideways. Glue a small wooden dowel to the bottom edge as a perch, fill it with birdseed, and hang it in your yard.
- Construct wind chimes: Cut the cans at different heights to create various tones, paint them in bright colors, and hang them from a solid frame. The resulting wind chimes add both visual and auditory appeal to your garden.
- Design path luminaries: Drill patterns of small holes in pint-sized cans and place votive candles inside. Then, line them along walkways to light up garden paths or outdoor seating areas.
Kitchen and Dining Room Ideas for Paint Cans
Try one of the ideas below to add storage and style to your kitchen and dining areas.
- Build a wine rack: To create a unique wine rack, remove the tops and bottoms of quart-sized cans and connect them with strong adhesive. Stack and glue additional cans on top to create an eye-catching storage solution for your favorite vintages.
- Create a compost bin: Turn a large paint can into a mini compost bin for kitchen scraps. Drill holes in the lid and side for ventilation and add food waste, coffee grounds, and other compostable materials. This compact solution makes composting accessible even in small spaces.
- Make a utensil holder: Transform a clean paint can into a rustic utensil holder for your kitchen counter or dining table. Paint the exterior to match your decor or wrap it in twine or fabric for added texture. It’s perfect for storing cooking utensils or silverware for outdoor dining.
Paint Can Crafts for Kids
Engage children in creative projects using paint cans, teaching them about upcycling while making fun and functional items.
Build a Pencil Holder
Help kids create personalized pencil holders for their desks. Clean out small paint cans and let children decorate them with paint, stickers, or decoupage. These custom holders are perfect for storing school supplies and make great gifts.
Craft a Rain Stick
Utilize paint cans to create a rain stick that mimics the sound of falling rain. Have your children fill a can with small pebbles or beans and seal the lid tightly. Let them paint and embellish the can to make it their own. When shaken, the rain stick produces soothing sounds that can be part of musical play.
Design a Piggy Bank
Turn a paint can into a unique piggy bank. Cut a slot in the plastic lid for coins, then let kids decorate the exterior. This project teaches children about saving money while exercising their creativity.
Upcycled Paint Can Furniture
Here are ideas for turning paint cans into functional furniture that brings an industrial touch to your decor.
Construct Side Tables
Create quirky side tables by cleaning and painting large paint cans. Using a strong adhesive, attach a round wooden top to the open end of the can. These tables are perfect for small spaces or as accent pieces in a living room or bedroom.
Create Unique Stools
Create sturdy stools by attaching cushioned tops to upturned paint cans. Use large, five-gallon buckets for adult-sized seating, or smaller cans for children’s stools. These can be used in a craft room, garage, or as extra seating for outdoor gatherings.
Build a Bookshelf
Combine multiple paint cans to construct a unique bookshelf. Attach open paint cans to a wooden backing in a grid pattern and secure the structure to the wall. The cans provide individual compartments for books, magazines, and decorative items, adding a modern touch to your space.
Seasonal Decor with Paint Cans
Try these festive paint-can decorations and add a personalized touch to your next holiday celebrations.
Craft Holiday Centerpieces
Paint cans can be used as vases to create stunning centerpieces for holiday tables. Paint the exterior in seasonal colors and fill it with flowers, branches, or ornaments. For Christmas, fill a can with evergreen boughs and pinecones; for spring, use pastel-painted cans filled with tulips or daffodils.
Make Festive Outdoor Decorations
Use paint cans to craft outdoor holiday decorations. For Halloween, paint cans orange, add jack-o’-lantern faces, and then place battery-operated lights inside. Paint cans white or silver for winter holidays and arrange them as snowmen on your porch or yard.
Design Themed Planters
Decorate larger paint cans with seasonal themes to use as planters for your porch or garden. For autumn, paint the cans with pumpkins, leaves, and acorns and plant them with hardy mums. Opt for bright colors and patterns in summer and fill with sun-loving flowers like marigolds or geraniums.
