Upcycling Empty Paint Cans with Paint Chips
Empty paint cans: I’ve been busy repainting a spare room and plan to turn into a craft room. As I result I have a few empty paint cans. A lot of my craft involves repurposing and upcycling the stuff I’ve already got. Therefore I decided to upcycle the empty paint cans into some storage buckets for my craft room.
I thought that it would be fun to upcycle the paint cans into bright colour coded storage by decoupaging them with paint chips/cards. So far I’ve made a blue and a green storage bucket out of my empty paint cans. I love the ombre effect you get with the paint chips and plan to eventually have a rainbow of upcycled paint can storage buckets adorning my craft room shelves.
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What you need to Upcycle empty paint tins
- Empty paint cans – I used the big 5 liter metal paint cans that come with a handle. However it would work just as well with plastic paint cans.
- Paint Chips – pick these up for free from your local hardware/diy store.
- Decoupage glue – Mod Podge or PVA (Elmers) glue.
- Spray paint – I used a Montana Gold Blue and a Montana Gold Green
How to upcycle empty paint tins
- Clean your empty paint tins out thoroughly. I only use water based environmentally friendly paints for all my painting so the cans are relatively easily to clean with a bit of hot water. I just chip away any dry paint from the outside of the empty paint tins.
- Spray paint the inside of your paint tin with a colour to match your paint chips.
- To stick the paint chips to the outside of the empty paint tins, I placed glue on both the paint chip and the tin. I stuck them down in the strips going round the can until covered. You may have to trim your paint chips when they meet in the middle.
- When the whole paint tin was covered with the paint chips I then pasted a layer of glue over the top to seal it.
I’m really pleased with my new handy free storage containers for my craft room. I love the fact that they are colour coded and will be completing my rainbow as soon as I get some more empty paint tins.
You don’t of course have to use them just for craft room storage they would also make great planters.
Another great thing you can make with paint chips is a paint chip calendar.
If you liked this post you may also want to check out some of my other craft room storage ideas:
DIY washi tape holder
Copper and Denim craft caddy.
Denim Pocket Wall Organizer
For more ideas of upcycling crafts visit favecrafts.com
Dearlives
Love it turned out. So pretty. Excited to see this since i got so many old cans. Thanks a lot.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you!
Ivory
What genius idea. I love how this project looks. It’s usage is unlimited. Thank you so much fr this fabulous project. I have a question, how many paint chips did you use to create this beautiful project?
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Ivory. I’m not sure how Many paint chips I used, but it will depend on the size Of your can and paint chips as they come in lots of different sizes.
Antonella | White House Crafts
Neat idea! Thank you for sharing it at The Crafty Corner link party. I hope to see you there again (new party starts tomorrow at 6 am EST).
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and I’ll be there.
Toni | Small Home Soul
What a cool idea, I love how you coordinated the pain chips with the color of the paint that used to be in the can! I love it! Thanks for linking up to Waste Not Wednesday Link Party!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Toni.
Sandra
This is straight from the files of, “waste not, want not”, and I love it!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I like to repurpose when I can.
Julie Bagamary
So cute and clever!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much glad you liked them. Looked at your site, your quilted art is gorgeous.
Mary-the boondocks blog
What a great way to upcycle these old paint cans. They look like so much fun now.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are really handy too.
Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting
What a gorgeous effect! I love ombre shading, and the handle also adds a nice touch. Great job! :)Lisa
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, I like the ombre effect too.
Katy SkipTheBag
What a fun way to store yarn and fibers!
Posts like this would be perfect for the Waste Less Wednesday Blog Hop. We love to see fun upcycles! This week’s hop is live now! http://www.skipthebag.com/2016/10/waste-less-wednesday-blog-hop-101916.html
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and I have linked up.
Helen at Pleasures of the NW
Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW DIY party!
Claire Armstrong
Thanks.
Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction
So clever–love it! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm–pinned!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much.
creativejewishmom/sara
brilliant as always claire, thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, you are very kind.
Wendy
Yet another cute idea, Claire!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Wendy, like your paint chip project too.
Medina
This is such a fun project Claire. I only ever seem to get the plastic paint cans though :/
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, I use Eco paints which come in metal tins for 5l. It may work with plastic tins.
Janine
Super cute idea! Love it!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much !
Carole @ Garden Up Green
What a neat idea – these would make great storage containers in my workshop. Very nice and I like how you used swatches to cover them..
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they look great in my craft room.
Tana
Well that is super cute and crafty! I would like to invite you to our linky party the Homesteader Hop if you would like to join. https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/2016/10/12/the-homesteader-hop-24/
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and thanks for the invite.
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled
Fun, fun, fun as always this idea of yours!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Victoria, I do think they are just a bit of colourful fun.
Denise
So very creative and a very clever upcycle. Nice job.
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, I love to upcycle.