It seems that the older the can, the cooler it looks. Vintage cans with faded labels have a fun retro appeal for modern settings, while salvaged cans full of rust, holes and dents add character to a rustic table.
The best way to upcycle tin cans for a centerpiece is by matching the flowers to the cans (as in the sixth photo, where a monochromatic look is soft and subtle), or by contrasting the flowers against the cans (as in the first photo) to make both elements really pop. You can also utilize your cans by theme; for example, La Morena or El Pato cans to decorate a Mexican fiesta, or tea tins to hold buds for a tea party. And if you don't happen to find a color scheme or design that you like, simply strip off the labels and paint your own!
TOP ROW:
1. Geneoh Photography via Ruffled
2. Victor C. Sizemore Photography via Style Me Pretty
3. Love Me Do Photography via Ruffled
4. Eat Drink Pretty
5. Heather Saunders Photographer via Style Me Pretty
BOTTOM ROW:
6. Jerry Yoon Photography via Style Me Pretty
7. Max Wanger via Once Wed
8. Jenny Brandt
9. Caroline Taylor
10. Max Wanger via Style Me Pretty
MORE TIN CAN CENTERPIECES ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• 10 Ways to Use Tin Cans
• Creative Reuse: Aluminum Can Centerpiece
• Look! More Tin Can Centerpieces
(Images: as linked above)
It's a look that can easily turn shoddy, but if done right, tin cans upcycled into vases can add that quirky, special touch to a table setting.
Categories: Main, Budget Living, Decorating, Entertaining at Home, Green Living, Reusing











Shaw's Original Fir...
For my wedding reception (>20 yrs ago), my grandmother insisted on collecting soup cans and spray painting them gold. At the time I bit my tongue and acknowledged that my grandmother loved me, and we went with it. Who knew she was ahead of her time?
Not shoddy at all. Gorgeous. Shoddy is those flimsy, ugly plastic containers that leak everywhere. I love the painted cans and the ones that match the flowers so well.
Some of these are cute, but I strongly prefer an empty glass jar with the label removed. For me that has the same casual appeal of the can but is infinitely dressier.
Someone in my life (who shall remain nameless) insists on using a Cains coffee can to hold pens/scissors on his desk. The problem is that it's not a cool, vintage one - it's just a can from a few years ago. Drives. Me. Nuts. but it's so not worth the battle! To each their own, I suppose *said grudgingly*
What a great idea! I like a combination of both glass jars and brightly colored tin cans.
Kate from....you mean Chock full o' Nuts crazy? You're right. In a warehouse it'd be fine.
rmbnn - Love it! :)
I did this for my wedding with dried lavender and old tea tins (used foam to arrange the lavender nicely). It looked lovely and having the same flowers in each made it look pulled together.
hehe Kate - would should find a really nice vintage can and just switch it out one day. He probably wouldn't even notice :)
would = you
strange typo on my part :)