DIY Metal Crafts

DIY With Recycled Metal: 5 Creative Projects for Your Home

Did you know metal is one of the easiest materials to upcycle for home décor and storage? It’s sturdy, plentiful, and best of all… free if you raid your recycling bin, which we know I do often.

I tried to dig up exact numbers on how much Americans spend on little storage containers, but I came up short. What I did find? The home organization and storage market is already around $14.8 BILLION in 2025. That’s a lot of dough being shelled out for ordinary plastic bins and baskets when you could be making your own organizers at home.

And here’s the kicker: upcycled metal projects don’t just save money, they also give you one-of-a-kind décor you’ll never find in a store. Bonus: My favorite though is that it keeps them from the landfill too. Why buy plain old everyday containers everyone else has when you can make something with true personality, charm, and a story behind it?

PLUS… let’s be honest. A simple tin can has a million uses before you even decorate it (for those of you who prefer an industrial look, there you go - plain and simple). Pen holder, toothbrush caddy, silverware cup, paint brush organizer, craft supply container, nails, screws… the list goes on. Sometimes I have to stop myself before I go off the rails listing them all.

Today, I’m sharing five recycled metal crafts I whipped up for the Do It Over Designers Blog Hop (hosted by Ann at The Apple Street Cottage). Oh, I didn't mention this is our bimonthly hop? Well, welcome to the hop! Be prepared to see all sorts of neat projects linked at the end of this post. These gals know how to party, so hang on to your britches, it's about to get creative around here... 

(Fair warning: my photos are a little moody since I’m now crafting in the basement — we’ve got chaos upstairs with a DIY vintage kitchen remodel in it's infancy stages. But that’s life, right? Winging it is part of the fun.)

DIY With Recycled Metal: Tin Can Craft With Rub-On Transfers

Ever wondered if rub-on transfers work on tin cans? I had to test the theory since I had the same question, it does take a bit more work, but my personal opinion is transfers should be used on objects like tin cans since they are plentiful and free. 

I used to agonize over what to use my transfers on, and then I thought to myself, be free and go free, use trash! They really elevate your projects making them works of art instead of plain cans. 

Materials

• Tin cans of your choice

• Chalk paint (I used Ivory by Waverly)

• Brush or sponge brush

• Mod Podge

• Rub-on transfers for furniture/crafts

• Antique Gold Rub ’n Buff

• Waverly Antique Wax

Instructions

1. Clean and sanitize tin cans (dishwasher works great).

2. Paint with chalk paint (sticks well to slick surfaces). Let dry.

3. Place rub-on transfer, rub with a paintbrush end if you’ve lost the stick (me, every time).

4. Burnish transfer to be sure it’s fully adhered.

5. Seal with Mod Podge.

6. Highlight ridges and edges with gold Rub ’n Buff.

7. Add antique wax for a worn, vintage vibe.

These little cans are perfect for pens, craft brushes, or just as mini décor accents. I added a gold rope candle to mine and plopped it right on our mantel in the living room. Tin cans can even be high end decor, it's all in how you decide to make over your mini works of art. 

DIY Pizza Pan Craft: Repurposed Metal Wall Décor

I dug through my stash and found a Halloween pizza pan wreath that I was never really happy with. It just wasn't me, or our home. Instead of tossing it, I decided to give it new life — and now I’m in love.

Materials

• Pizza pan

• Chalk paint

• Scrapbook paper

• Mod Podge

• Stencil brush

• Iron + parchment paper

• Scissors

• Rope or ribbon for hanging

Instructions

1. Sand or peel away any leftover stickers (don’t stress if residue remains).

2. Age the pan edge with black chalk paint using a stencil brush in a circular motion.

3. Trace and cut scrapbook paper to fit the center.

4. Mod Podge the pan, lay paper on top, and iron with parchment paper to smooth.

5. Seal with Mod Podge, iron again to remove creases.

6. Add a rope to the back if you’d like to hang it.

I hung mine in our entryway — right next to a vintage riding hat. No rhyme or reason, just what makes me happy. That’s the beauty of repurposed décor: it’s yours, quirks and all. You can also use a pizza pan as a serving tray, as a wreath as I have shown, and even a corral for all of your smalls like perfume bottles and makeup.

 

I stopped caring what other people think long ago, I decorate with what makes me happy, and if that means hanging a pizza pan on the wall, so be it. If you leave today with anything, it is that I hope you know trash can become beautiful treasures to use in your home. It's easy on the purse strings, but it also keeps the landfill from filling up. 

Repurposed Pepper Tin Craft: Petite Flower Arrangement

Never underestimate the power of saving a spice tin! I turned an empty pepper container into a whimsical fall flower arrangement that makes me smile every time I see it.

Materials

• Empty pepper tin

• Ivory chalk paint

• Mod Podge

• White pom pom trim

• Spanish moss

• Hot glue gun

• Landscape printout

• Petite faux florals

• Floral foam block

• Antique Gold Rub ’n Buff

Instructions

1. Wash and sand tin lightly.

2. Paint with chalk paint, seal with Mod Podge.

3. Hot glue pom pom trim around the top.

4. Glue a printed landscape image to the front.

5. Insert floral foam, top with Spanish moss, and arrange petite florals.

 

Keep plastic on the foam for less mess while cutting 

I kind of adore this petite flower arrangement. It has all the feels for fall, and when I added a small pumpkin that I also added a bit of antiquing wax to, I fell in love. It was so simple to make, and just makes me smile

Side note: I forgot to wash my sponge brush out before applying mod podge over the can, happy little accident. The wax gave the best aged tint to my can. You can skip aging if this look is not your thing. I just love pieces with age, and when they do not come with an item, I create it myself. 

Large Tin Can Storage With Bird Print

This project tested my patience — my paint just wouldn’t stick. Lesson learned: sand first! But in the end, it became one of my favorites because we know I love birds.

Materials

• Large tin can

• Elephant gray chalk paint

• Bird print image

• Elmer's Glue stick, it doesn't crease when applied to images 

• Antiquing wax

• Mod Podge

Instructions

1. Sand can if paint won’t adhere.

2. Paint, let dry.

3. Glue image to the can, pressing into grooves (my favorite detail).

4. Brush antiquing wax around top, bottom, and lightly over image.

5. Seal with Mod Podge (avoid brushing directly over image if it warps easily).

It really looks like an old weathered can, doesn't it?

To see the upcycled utensil container, click the link

This one’s headed to my kitchen — it’ll hold pens, pencils, and scissors by our vintage phone with a few items that I have been using lately in the mix. I also like to hide my cleaning products on the counter, so I place cleaning products in cans on top of the counter for convenience. I clean the counters several times a day, so I just grab and go. Practical and pretty.

Save for your next project 

Washi Tape Tin Can

Sometimes simple is best. Washi tape + paint = quick DIY storage.

Materials

• Tin can

• Chalk paint

• Washi tape

• Mod Podge

Instructions

1. Paint can, let dry.

2. Wrap washi tape around.

3. Seal with Mod Podge.

I almost added Rub ’n Buff, but decided to let the washi design shine. Sometimes restraint is the trickiest part for me!

I have been going through my supplies lately, trying to use as many things as I can. When things begin to really move quickly upstairs, I will need to store more in the basement. I am at full capacity now, so I am on a mission to use up as much as I can before I give away and donate what I am not using to make room. 

Wrapping Up: DIY With Recycled Metal

These five projects prove that with a little paint, paper, and imagination, you can turn everyday metal trash into budget-friendly decor. From storage containers to wall art, the possibilities are endless.

Next time you’re about to toss a can or tin into the recycling bin, pause. Could it become a flower arrangement? A tray? A pen holder with personality? Chances are, yes.

Upcycling saves money, reduces waste, and gives your home décor a story — and who doesn’t love a good story? I know I sure do. 

And if you're searching for more inspiration, don’t forget to check out the other creative projects in the Do It Over Designers Hop linked below.

Sum of Their Stories

Color Me Thrifty

Vintage Style Gal

The Apple Street Cottage

Birdz of a Feather

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Modern on Monticello

Pandora’s Box

Purple Hues & Me

Unique Creations by Anita

Pin these recycled metal DIYs for later so you don’t forget them!

Until next time,

Cara