Hide Your Trash Can And Add A Rustic Touch To Your Kitchen With A Clever Trick

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If there's one item in the kitchen that never looks cute, no matter how hard you try, it's the trash can. Even when you buy one of the sleek stainless-steel versions, it still feels like a big, clunky reminder of garbage. There is a way to disguise it and make it fit better within your interior decorating. Dare we say it might even become a little stylish? All it takes is a simple, rustic item you may already have or can easily find while thrifting: a wooden wine or whiskey barrel. Hiding your trash can inside the barrel instantly gives your kitchen a warm, farmhouse feel. Instead of tucking the can in a corner, under your sink, or behind the pantry door, you can turn it into functional décor that adds charm rather than detracts from it.

You'd be hard-pressed to find an easier, more creative way to repurpose old wine or whiskey barrels in your home. It doesn't require a whole workshop of tools. The average wine or whiskey barrel ranges from 50 to 65 gallons. All you really need is a 32-gallon trash bag and a standard 32-gallon trash can — you can get two Amazon Basics Heavy Duty Durable Round Trash Cans for about $70. Trim the barrel down to the second metal band if needed, so you can fit the can inside. A basic hand saw or circular saw and some protective gear will get the job done.

To put this rustic trash-hiding hack together, start by rinsing the inside of the barrel with hot water. Once it's dry, place your 32-gallon trash can inside it. This inner can is important because it lets you remove the trash easily without having to scrub the inside of the wooden barrel. After your trash can is in place, line it with a 32-gallon trash bag. The bag should stay hidden inside the barrel. When it's time to take out the trash, you simply lift out the inner plastic bag. If you want to take this DIY a step further, consider making use of the barrel's original lid, if you have it. Add a hinge to the back, connected to the side of the barrel, and a handle on the front.

If you don't like the original color of your barrel, stain the wood, add decorative hardware, or stencil a design onto the sides with paint. Helpful tips savvy DIYers will want to know before using wood stain include preparing the surface of the barrel for receiving the stain (basically, sanding it) and choosing a stain designed for indoor use. Whether you sourced your barrel from Facebook Marketplace, your local thrift store, or a farm supply store, you'll transform your basic trash station into an area with both warmth and personality. If you end up with a few bargain wine barrels, turn one into a beautiful bird bath.