How to make Faux Vintage Cans

Have you ever seen something on IG and wanted to recreate it?  That is one of my favorite things to use IG for, inspiration.  I love to be inspired by something and then figure out a way to create something similar, with my own spin on it.  Recently I saw a photo that totally inspired me to make a Faux Vintage Can Display

Faux Vintage Can Display  |   faux vintage cans, faux vintage bucket, greenery, plant bucket

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Not too long ago I saw this photo and it stopped me in my tracks.  How cute is it to have fresh greens in old crusty cans?? And the grouping of them all together is just eye candy.  Really, it made me want to run right out to find some vintage cans and buy all of the plants. 





Well, I'm not sure where one would go to get vintage cans in my neck of the woods, other than the flea market, which is only open once a month.  So that meant I had to figure out how to DIY them, which I did. And now that I have figured it out, I can show you how to make them too.

How to make Faux Vintage Cans



Faux Vintage Can Display  |   make a faux vintage can from diced tomato can


I grabbed this 28 oz can of tomatoes in my pantry.  The can is the right size for plants.  I opened the can, emptied the tomatoes, cleaned it out and used pliers to smash any of the sharp edges from opening the top, and it's ready to be made over. 


Faux Vintage Can Display  |   make a faux vintage can from inexpensive bucket


I also consulted my rather large stash of goodies and found some green buckets.  I picked up some tissue paper from Hobby Lobby and found some printable vintage labels.  The rest of the supplies I had in my craft room.

Supply List for making DIY Faux Vintage Can


Faux Vintage Can Display  |   make a faux vintage can with printable vintage label


Instructions for making a new can look vintage


  • Brush mod podge onto the entire surface of the can/bucket.
  • Cut tissue paper to the size of the can.  Place tissue paper on top of mod podge.  Carefully place it right up to the lip of the can.  It's ok if it wrinkles.  It adds dimension and a realistic look to the can.  
  • Once all of the can is covered with tissue paper, cover the top with another coat of mod podge.  Smooth it with your fingers.
  • Before the mod podge dries, place the printed label onto the can and cover it with another coat of mod podge.  
  • Let it dry.


Faux Vintage Can Display  |   display faux vintage cans with faux greenery for home decor


Repeat with other cans and buckets.  Fill the cans/buckets with faux or real greenery.  I placed mine in a grouping with some chalkboard buckets too.


Faux Vintage Can Display  |  how to display vintage cans and plant holders


I am thrilled with how the faux vintage cans turned out.  


Faux Vintage Can Display  |  how to display vintage cans and plant holders, vintage decor


I grouped them all together in a vignette on top of my favorite green cabinet in my living room.  I layered white shutters, one of my diy reclaimed wood shelves (tutorial soon), a green frame and a Edison bulb light hung from a shelf bracket

Faux Vintage Can Display  |  how to display vintage cans and plant holders, vintage decor


The next time you are looking through Instagram and see something that inspires you, take a screen shot of it.  Then you can figure out a way to make it yourself, in your own way.  I loved seeing the inspiration photo and making it my own.  Then I was able to make a Faux Vintage Can Display for indoor plants.