I Can’t Believe I’m Saying This, But Sardine Decor Is In

Why sardine tins are suddenly the chicest thing on your shelf.

Editor’s Note: This piece was originally written for Home & Texture, where I regularly contribute lifestyle and design content. I loved it so much I wanted to share it here with you too.

From L to R Photo Cred: Etsy, Urban Outfitters

I realized tinned fish was having more than a foodie moment when I passed Anthropologie at Ponce City Market here in Atlanta and spotted a giant sardine can display in the window. To me, it felt like a declaration: sardines have officially made the leap from pantry staple to design muse.

This summer, the tinned fish aesthetic is bubbling up everywhere. It’s quirky. It’s nostalgic. And somehow, it’s becoming a design flex. As someone who unapologetically loves sardines, I’m not mad about it.

There’s something romantic and even chic about tinned fish packaging—the metallic shine, the vintage typography, the European-market vibe. It evokes long lunches in Lisbon, aperitifs on balconies, and my dream kitchen in the summer, with linen napkins and mismatched plates.

Designers and brands are picking up on the tinned fish aesthetic. Ruggable’s new summer collection includes a tin fish doormat that feels cheeky yet sophisticated. It brings just enough personality to a porch or entryway without trying too hard.

Meanwhile, Anthropologie’s latest collaboration with Atlanta-based artist Dasha Lebedev celebrates the aesthetic with a line of tinned fish-inspired decor, including The Original Tinned Fish Candle. These hand-poured candles come in real sardine tins that open like the real thing—only instead of briny snacks, you’re met with intricately shaped wax sardines.

What It Says About You

Tinned fish decor is personal. It’s playful. And among a sea of trend cycles that often feel algorithm-driven, this one actually feels rooted in something—a taste for the unusual, a love for vintage, a wink toward eclectism and personal style. It’s not trying to be aspirational in the traditional sense; it’s more like, if you know, you know.

I Love Adam Sandler, But I Don’t Want to Dress Like Him Every Day

And if you do know—if you’ve ever eaten sardines from the grocery store in Paris for dinner instead of going out to a restaurant (guilty), or ordered anchovies on your pizza without a second thought—this is your time. The sardines have entered the design chat.

So whether it’s a candle, a doormat, or a full-blown dinner party theme, don’t be afraid to lean in. Because good design doesn’t always have to be serious. Sometimes it’s a sardine tin that sparks joy.

I curated a list of my favorite tinned fish decor here! Let me know if you get anything. I currently have this doormat from Ruggable in the estate size and this doormat from Anthropologie!

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