Christmas Tin to Trash Bin Upcycle

531 Shares

Have you ever wondered what to do with those leftover Christmas tins after the holidays? I am sure after the popcorn, cookies, nuts and candy are devoured these tins have filled many landfills. I have an easy customizable solution of how you can upcycle and reuse those Christmas tins and since I had all the supplies on hand it was FREE to make.

I originally saw this trash can idea on Lemons Lavender and Laundry and wanted to make my own. Here is my version. No tools needed.

Here is what my old trash can looked like…Booooo, totally boring and didn’t fit with my design style and I held onto it for way too long.

*This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

SUPPLIES FOR TRASH CAN UPCYCLE

Christmas Tin
Painter’s Tape
2 Spray paint colors of choice I used Rust-oleum in Flat Black and Flat White
Stencil made with a Silhouette Cameo
Spray Sealer

STEPS TO MAKE TRASH CAN UPCYCLE

Step 1) I started out by cleaning my tin…getting rid of all the leftover popcorn crumbs. Then I turned it upside down and spray painted several coats of spray paint. Start with the color paint you want the color of the letters and stripes to be. I chose flat black spray paint. I used my Scrap Wood Lazy Susan to help with spray painting.

Step 2) I applied painters’ tape for the stripes and a “TRASH” stencil created using my Silhouette Cameo and applied the stencil as well. I found the best way to center and align the stencil is to first add tape, then the middle letter. Then I applied the entire stencil around the letter A, and finally peeled the outer stencil away leaving only the letters.

Step 3) I spray painted several coats over the entire outside tin over the tape and stencil in a flat white. Once it was dry I removed the tape and stencil. Be careful when removing the tape. I had to do many touch ups because the paint came off in some areas.

Once all the tape and stencil was off I applied a sealer and then put it in it’s proper place in the bathroom.I love how it turned out and I like it waaaay better than what I had before. Well off to put the old one in the garage sale pile.