For a chic, industrial-style lighting option that works both indoors and out, repurpose your old paint cans into these gorgeous hanging pendant lamps.
It's as simple as punching holes in the cans in any pattern you choose. You can use any size can, and the principle works for both hanging or table lamps.
If you think your rusty old paint cans are beyond salvaging, try pairing them with delicate baby's breath for a shabby-chic addition to your outdoor décor.
If you are planning to use the cans for living plants rather than cut flowers, make sure to line the interior with plastic and drill a few drainage holes in the bottom to keep the plant's roots healthy.
Tired of unanswered mail and paperwork cluttering your desk? A few empty paint cans can transform the chaos on your desk into a neat, orderly vertical storage unit where you can stash stationary and stray papers.
If you think that paint cans can't be glamorous, think again! With a little gold spray paint and some fun craft paper, you can create a dramatic art deco-style ice bucket to break out at your next dinner party.
The natural texture of birch bark makes these vases a gorgeous addition to the interior of any home, and these vases make beautiful centerpieces for the tables at a wedding or engagement reception. Also, use this tutorial to create personalized vases using a wood burning tool.
For plants and herbs that don't naturally do well in hanging planters, you can create a set of charming, portable planters by wrapping your paint cans in sisal rope. The size of the paint cans is perfect for a portable miniature herb garden that you can bring indoors when the weather turns frosty.
If your mudroom or entryway looks like a shoe store exploded, you may need to try this quick and easy tutorial that transforms empty paint cans into the perfect storage solution.
You can hang scarves and bags over the tops of the cans, hang dog leashes from the handles, and store keys and wallets inside. You could even include a row of cans along the bottom of the wall for shoe storage.
For a sturdy trick-or-treat bucket that won't burst no matter how much candy your kids stuff in there, repurpose your old paint cans. Get in the holiday mood by decorating the cans with stickers or Halloween-themed stencils. These themed buckets also work well as Easter baskets.
Line the cans with a plastic bag or some tissue paper if food items are going inside. Alternatively, you can buy clean, empty metal pails online.
Throw an art-themed birthday party with paint can party favors. Fill small paint cans with brushes, watercolors, stickers and other crafty bits and pieces. You can customize the cans with a coat of paint or vinyl as in the tutorial for a fun and thoughtful gift for party goers.
You can never have enough storage in your home and creating a wall storage unit can be as easy as attaching empty paint cans to a plywood board to mount on your wall. You can customize the unit by stacking multiple rows of cans on top of each other or painting them to coordinate with your home décor.
Clear the clutter from your garage and put those empty paint cans to good use by delegating them to store tools and stray pieces of hardware.
You could create a wall mounted version as in the previous tutorial, or you can try this simple magnetic spice rack tutorial with small paint cans that allow you to keep all your small tools, brushes and miscellaneous hardware within easy reach.
Remember…
Paint is considered a hazardous material, so it is important you clean out your paint cans thoroughly before using them for crafting and dispose of leftover paint according to the municipal laws in your area.
If you still have too many leftover paint cans after trying some of these fabulous DIY ideas, you can always recycle your paint cans at your local recycling and waste management center.
