IKEA Fan Shares Simple Solution To Finally Say Goodbye To Kitchen Trash Can Eyesores

The ugly truth about kitchen trash cans is that they're just not cute, and honestly, why would they be? Their job is to handle one of the dirtiest tasks in our homes — housing our waste. But the reality is, we need them. So most of us end up just accepting the eyesore sitting in the corner. But not anymore. IKEA fans have discovered a surprisingly simple solution hiding in plain sight in the store. Enter the IKEA GÅRDSBUTIK bin, a sleek, modern alternative to the more traditional, exposed trash can; just one of the things that make your kitchen look gross. It's made from more than 50% recycled plastic (a win for the eco-friendly) and available in one of the most coveted colors: gray-beige.

Now, the GÅRDSBUTIK bin isn't exactly marketed as a garbage can. Instead, it's more of a general-purpose container for things like loose countertop items or recyclables. But thanks to its simple design and practicality, IKEA fans have started using it to hold their trash. That shift helped it go viral and secure a spot on the unofficial "IKEA must-haves" list.

Priced at $40, the six-gallon bin measures 18 inches high, a little over 14 inches wide, and almost eight inches deep. Each one comes with two adhesive strips that can be mounted to a wall or the side of a counter, along with hooks that let the bin attach securely. It also has a built-in handle, making it easy to lift out, empty, and clean. And, since it's mounted off the floor, you can finally rid your home of those sneaky pieces of food that always seem to get trapped behind your big, bulky garbage can.

Since IKEA's GÅRDSBUTIK bin can be mounted, and either partially or fully removed from the wall, many people are placing it at the end of their counters where there's often empty space. This is typically the same spot where a traditional garbage can would sit. Others are mounting one or even two on a kitchen island, side by side. For homes with ample wall space, the bins can also be stacked vertically since doing so won't interfere with opening them and dropping your trash inside. This setup can be especially useful in homes with younger kids where you'd rather not have little ones rummaging through the trash.

Since the bins are being used for actual waste, in these cases, some folks are tucking a six-gallon garbage bag inside. Once full, it can be easily lifted out and taken to a larger outdoor bin, dumpster, or garbage chute. While only a handful of people have taken issue with the smaller capacity noting that it may not be suitable for larger households, some might be encouraged to cut down on waste by reusing select kitchen items (The average person in the U.S. produces about 4.9 pounds per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), and others might be prompted to take out the trash more often to prevent lingering odors. Hey, it might even give you a good reason to upcycle everyday items like oatmeal containers into cute home decor, so there's less to throw away in the first place.