Vintage Milk Can Makeover: DIY Outdoor Side Table

Discover creative ways to repurpose vintage milk cans into a patio table for your front porch decor. Easy step-by-step outdoor side table DIY project!

You’ll learn how to breathe new life into old milk cans! At the end of this makeover, you’ll have a charming and unique patio table perfect for farmhouse lovers and upcycling enthusiasts! Let’s get started!

supplies and history of milk cans

basic supplies

We will look closer at the supplies and tools later in this post. Let’s review them quickly now. You will need a vintage milk jug, a wooden round, scrap wood, screws, a power drill, wood glue, wood screws, paint, and a paintbrush.

​milk can history

Old milk cans were used during the 19th century. Before the days of the plastic milk containers we use now, milk was delivered fresh from the farm to customers. Back in the day, purchasing fresh dairy products was not as easy as running to the local grocery store or convenience store! 

Customers had to meet the dairy farmer at a designated location with their empty milk containers (glass bottles) to get their milk home. I’m sure they cried over their spilled milk with all the effort it took to get it!

​where to buy antique milk cans

We’ve seen lots of vintage milk cans when we have been to farm sales and auctions. If you don’t attend those types of events, look at your local antique stores. They often have them since the shop owners source from farm sales and auctions.

Occasionally you can find milk cans at yard sales or a garage sale. You can also ask any farmers who might have unused barns on their property. They might be willing to sell you one!

Graphic with text overlay: How to use Dixie Belle Silk Mineral Paint" and image with lady applying first coat of mineral paint to vintage milk can.

build the table top

My hubby built this table before I was blogging so I don’t have images to show the process. But it’s easy to add a wooden round piece to the top of any milk can.

The wooden round needs to be attached to the metal top of the milk can. My hubby welded a steel bar to the opening of the milk can (the lid was missing) The bar had holes in it so he could attach that bar to the wooden wound with a wood screw at each end.

If you don’t have access to welding equipment, simply cut a round piece of wood that will fit snuggly into the opening of the milk can. Test fit this piece to make sure it can be removed but fits snugly.

Then attach that smaller wood round piece to the center of the larger wood round piece using wood screws and wood glue. The table top will be removable but ideally, it will be a tight fit.

By the way, the long and narrow piece of wood holds our table top together. Hubby built our wood round out of scrap lumber. You can purchase a wood round at your local box home improvement store like Home Depot.

prep vintage milk can for paint

Remember back in the day when our parents told us to eat all of our vegetables before we could have dessert?

The same applies here; we have to do the not-so-fun part of giving this piece a good cleaning before doing the fun part of the painting. 

Clean the milk can using a warm water solution of tsp cleaner. This will remove years of grime. Our milk can had been previously painted and has been used as patio furniture for some time. It was cob-webby and very dusty. I wiped the whole piece down with the cleaner then went back over it with clear water and a microfiber cloth. 

how to protect the floor when painting

Did you notice the big piece of cardboard under the vintage milk can table? Next time you are in Walmart, head over to the packaging department where all of the packing tape, bubble wrap, and flat boxes are stored.  

I found this 18″ x 18″ x 24″ box that I knew I would use over and over for painting indoors.

The box came apart at the seams with just a little tug where it was glued and wa-la, I had a really large piece of cardboard to protect the floor I would be painting on!

When I finish this fun project, I fold up the box flat and stick it behind my wood filing cabinet in my craft room – out of sight and ready for the next project!

how to paint old milk cans

Your new side table will probably be outdoors so pick a paint that will withstand outdoor weather. Our front porch is covered but occasionally the porch furniture gets wet or at least damp. Our milk can had already been spray painted with outdoor-rated, rust-preventative spray paint. If yours isn’t, be sure to consider a paint that will resist rust.

I wanted a different color so I chose to paint the milk can in Oyster chalk mineral paint. It’s a primer, paint, and sealer in one so it suited this project. The color is a light gray that is almost white and that’s just what I was looking for. There’s something right about a vintage milk can painted in white, don’t you think?

You could choose any paint colors that coordinate with your home’s exterior. Neutrals will go with any colors you already have with your porch decor. Look at your porch and decide what would look best!

Dixie Belle Silk Mineral paint can go on any surface, yes ANY! Glass, slate, wood, and metal! This vintage milk can is made of metal so I knew this paint would work perfectly!

I applied two coats of paint and that was plenty to cover the dark spray paint color.

The following post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and then buy something, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting my blog. full disclosure here.

list of supplies:

easy whitewash wood technique

The whitewash technique is so easy. You can see how easy in the YouTube video later in this post but let’s review the steps:

  1. Mist the tabletop with water to dampen it.
  2. Paint a small section of the table top then immediately wipe back the excess with a clean damp cloth.
  3. Continue across the wooden round piece of wood until you have the desired effect. 
  4. If you want more of an opaque look, reapply the paint.
  5. Seal the piece with an outdoor-rated top coat.

Even though Silk Chalk Mineral paint has a built-in sealer, I decided to add an additional sealer. Most of the paint is wiped off during the whitewashing process and I wanted this piece well protected. I sealed this outdoor table with three coats of heavy-duty top coat in a flat finish to create a waxed, vintage look.

Graphic with text overlay " Step Three: do a paint wash on the natural wood top" with lady showing how to do the paint wash technque.

how to distress old milk can

Distressing upcycled items is always fun, don’t you think? I love this step of any new project I’m working on!

When the paint had dried completely on the metal, I used a small flat-edged chef’s knife to scrape off bits of the paint. I do this randomly and quickly all over the milk can. Keep a steady hand so you don’t cut yourself!

Use a shop vac or a broom to clean up the mess! Easy, Peasy!

This technique creates the most authentic farmhouse chippy finish you have ever seen! And it relieves a little stress at the same time 🙂 Just sayin’!

thanks for being here!

I hope you are enjoying this project! Let me know if you have any questions. Or leave me a comment to tell me about your project and ideas!

thanks, Cindy 😀

repurpose vintage milk cans – more ideas

Here are some creative ideas you can implement in your home using vintage milk cans!

  • two milk cans on either side of an antique front porch glider to use as little side tables
  • in your entryway as an umbrella stand (without the wood top of course!)
  • attach a smaller wood round and use it as a plant stand near your front door inside or out!
  • use as a nightstand in a little boy’s bedroom painted in colors to coordinate with the room
  • mod podge vintage seed packets around the bottom of the jug and use as a work surface in your she shed.
Graphic with text overlay: Step Six: enjoy your outdoor table makeover!" with image showing finished vintage milk can table makeover

YouTube video

Here is a video of the whole process that I am sure you will enjoy Be sure to subscribe while you watch. We share lots of tutorials and inspiration for you!

Old Milk Can DIY Table

Step-by-step milk can upcycle project!

Pinterest graphic with text overlay: "milk can table upcycle" and lady applying second coat of Dixie Belle Silk mineral paint.

Pin the image below (or any image in this post!) to your home decor and furniture boards! Just click the pin button at the top left corner!

Pinterest graphic with text overlay: milk can table makeover" with image of lady painting an old milk can with Silk Mineral paint.

Thanks for joining our journey!

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Cindy Rust

Cindy has been decorating her home with thrift store finds for 40 years. She is an avid thrift store shopper who loves to makeover the items she finds into vintage-inspired home decor and furniture. When she isn’t thrift shopping or painting a piece of furniture, you can find her making homemade butter, working in her garden, or painting with watercolors.

How to Upcycle An Old Milk Can

Discover creative ways to repurpose antique milk cans into a patio table for your front porch decor. Step-by-step outdoor side table DIY project!
Active Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours
Yield: 1 table
Author: Cindy Rust
Cost: $50

Materials

  • vintage milk jug
  • wooden round
  • scrap wood
  • a power drill
  • wood glue
  • wood screws
  • paint
  • paintbrush

Instructions

  • Attach the wood top to the milk can by adding a small wood round that fits snugly in the top of the milk can.
  • Next, attach the small round to the larger round using wood glue and wood screws.
  • Clean the surfaces with tsp cleaner according to instructions with a soft wet cloth.
  • Whitewash the tabletop to the desired look. You can also paint the wood top.
  • Paint the old milk can in a coordinating color to match your decor.
  • Seal the wood for exterior use.

Video

Notes

Additional ideas for your vintage milk can:
  • two milk cans on either side of an antique front porch glider to use as little side tables
  • in your entryway as an umbrella stand (without the wood top of course!)
  • attach a smaller wood round and use it as a plant stand near your front door inside or out!
  • use as a nightstand in a little boy's bedroom painted in colors to coordinate with the room
  • mod podge vintage seed packets around the bottom of the jug and use as a work surface in your she shed.

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24 Comments

  1. Another fantastic makeover and upcycle. Love the color too!

    Always great tutorials and information as with all your projects.

    Pinned!

    We are all behind, it’s our busiest time of year

    1. That’s so sweet of you to say! Thanks so much😊

    1. You will love this paint so much! It is amazing 😊

    1. Thank you for stopping by!

  2. So creative! Growing up, my grandmother had an old milk can in the garage to store garden tools. This post made me remember this 🙂

    1. So glad you enjoyed the post, Marie!

  3. In love with this table! You are always doing the most fun projects.

    1. Thanks Melba! We love fun and easy projects like this!

  4. Beautiful and clear and concise. Love this. I have an old one on my front porch and a round wood from Home Depot upstairs….thanks for the inspiration. Isn’t Oyster a beautiful color?

    1. Oyster is such an amazing color!! Thanks for stopping by Regina!

  5. This is such a fun project. Dixie Belle paint really makes the process easy. Thank you for the tutorial!

    1. Thank you for stopping by Anna! I appreciate your support 😊

  6. Your table looks great! When my mom met my dad he was super muscular from carrying milk cans on the family dairy farm.

    1. Omgoodness, I can’t imagine how heavy it would be filled with milk! He must have been strong!

  7. I saw this one on your IG feed and loved the project. Using an old milk can for a table makes me kick myself for getting rid of mine years ago. How lovely would it have been to do something on this big front porch of mine. You do such beautiful work my dear friend.

    1. You are the sweetest Tammy!! I have another milk can in my stash for another table in the future 😊

  8. Cathy Godfrey says:

    I bought a 5 gallon old milk jug today – love it! However, I CANNOT for the life of me get the lid off. Any suggestions.

    1. Yay for finding the milk can!! As for the lid – it might be a permanent issue. you can try to spray a lubricant like WD40 into the area where the lid sits inside the milk can. Sorry, I can’t help more than that! Hope you have fun making it over!

  9. You are so creative with your upcycled furniture, Cindy! I love this idea, and your paint tips for distressing and whitewashing are so helpful. Pinning!

    1. Cindy Rust says:

      Thanks Crissy! So glad you enjoy seeing our projects 🥰