The Easy-to-Miss Thrift Store Gem I Never Pass Up (I Use Them All Over My Home!)

One of my favorite ways to live a slightly more sustainable life at home is shopping secondhand. From my closet to my home decor, preloved things are everywhere. When it comes to functionality, though, one of my favorite thrift finds rises to the top: vintage tins. 

When you buy a box of tea today, you probably toss the packaging when you’re done with it. But back in the day, goods like tea, coffee, or even aspirin were packaged in well-designed tins, many of which have stood the test of time. And if you spot them in the thrift store today, you should scoop them up. Not only is it satisfying to give old packaging a second life, but the tins are also built to last and you can really use them all over your home. Depending on where you find them, they can cost a few dollars or less. I’ve paid over $10 for an older tin, but I also recently paid $5 for a stack of three. 

If your next thrift haul includes some vintage tins, here are six ways I use them around my home.

When I have overnight guests, I want them to feel as comfortable as possible. I make a cozy bed and put out fresh towels, but I also like to place a few necessities at the bedside, like a bowl for jewelry and a carafe of fresh water. One small thing I like to do to take my hosting to the next level? Setting out a cute tin filled with wrapped candy. A little Lindt truffle or peppermint candy is a nice treat to enjoy at the end of the day.

One of my treasured tins sits by my coffee pot and holds a bag of beans. Not only is it convenient, but it also looks better than just having a bag of coffee on display. If you prefer tea, consider searching for a vintage tea tin to keep your favorite tea bags close at hand. You can use tins for other drink-related items, too, like coffee filters. I also have an open-top tin in my kitchen to hold clean, dry sponges and dish cloths.

The one place in my home that seems to be in constant chaos is my bathroom vanity. It’s challenging to keep all the hair, nail, body, and face products organized while using them daily. Being semi-obsessed with Queen Elizabeth II, I was thrilled when I found a rectangular tin featuring her and Prince Phillip for $6 at an antiques shop. At the time, I had no idea what to do with it, but it now holds smaller cosmetics — like eye and lip treatments — that often get lost in the shuffle. I also use an adorable saltwater taffy tin to contain a selection of serums and blemish products I don’t use often.

Tiny metal containers — like those vintage pill boxes, typewriter ribbon tins, or candy tins — are especially great for organizing messy office supplies. Keeping your paper clips or rubber bands in one place can instantly free up space in your junk drawer. 

You can also thrift tins to contain craft supplies like thread, crayons, or paintbrushes; keep your everyday earrings in a tiny one on your nightstand; or remove your dryer sheets from the paper box and store them in a square tin to add a touch of style to your laundry room. There are all kinds of ways to use them to organize small things around your home and make mundane household tasks a little more special. 

Using fabric to wrap gifts or substituting newspapers for wrapping paper are great sustainable swaps, but I love to use vintage tins to package presents. They come in all sorts of sizes, so whether you’re giving a dainty pair of earrings or a book, you can probably find what you need at the thrift store. For more delicate items, use fabric or leftover tissue paper as padding for protection — especially if your recipient likes to shake packages to find out what’s inside. Plus, this present quickly becomes two gifts in one.

This might be the most obvious one, but a vintage tin can also serve as decor. When I’m having trouble putting together a vignette, adding an antique box as a riser always adds a little height, color, and interest. You can also use them to stash items you don’t use every day, like an extra set of coasters or linen napkins you only use on special occasions. I recently returned from Zurich and added a floral tin to my shelf of travel finds, and it brings me joy every time I see it.