10 Simple And Stylish Ideas For Hiding Your Bathroom Trash Can

It can sometimes feel like interior design is just a tug-of-war between style and practicality, form and function. This is particularly true when trying to make the most of a small bathroom because decor often has to take a backseat to everyday wants and needs. As such, many people find themselves at a loss for how to hide eyesores like full or unsightly trash cans while still keeping them easily accessible for use.

Well, believe it or not, even if your bathroom is particularly tight on space, there are actually quite a few clever ways to hide your trash can to instantly upgrade your bathroom. From tucking it away inside hampers or plant pots to recessing it into the wall itself, these solutions can be adapted to different rooms and personal needs. They can also be modified or altered to suit many different design styles. From selecting a hamper that goes perfectly with your farmhouse chic decor to opting for a sleek pull-out shelf that echoes your affinity for contemporary design, you can choose the option that you feel is both practical and stylish in your own space. So, which of these clever solutions will you choose, and how can you adjust your choice to perfectly suit your own bathroom?

This first option is great for anyone with a small bathroom and limited time for DIYs. Simply place a few damage-free adhesive hooks from Amazon on the inside of an existing cabinet door, making sure they are far enough apart to match the width of the trash can. Then, just hang your wastebasket over the hooks so that it can be neatly hidden away whenever the door is closed. If your current trash can doesn't have a lip around the edge, you can either find one that does or use Velcro instead of hooks.

About as easy as a DIY project can get, this solution only requires a plant pot and a trash can small enough to fit inside. To do this, you may want to spend some time thinking not only about which style of pot will match the rest of the room, but also about how much trash you and your household tend to produce. Once you've selected a pot that is the right size and design, simply line a trash can and place it inside so that it is well hidden.

This is a common solution for hiding trash in the kitchen, though many people don't realize it can be implemented in a bathroom cabinet, too. There are multiple ways to install a slider for your trash, but one of the easiest is to purchase a kit — like this garbage can slide-out kit from Amazon that comes with a trash bag holder — because these can generally be screwed straight into an existing cabinet. If you're tight on space, look for a skinny option that can be fitted into a narrow cabinet by the toilet or sink.

If your bathroom has large countertops but is limited on floor space, this might be a good solution for you. After purchasing a stainless steel flap, such as this recessed trash can cover from Amazon, you will need to cut a hole in your counter for the flap to fit into. Then, place the wastebasket underneath so that it is hidden within the cabinet but will still catch any garbage you drop through. To prevent a mess, you can also craft a simple chute from paper or plastic to guide the trash down to the container below.

Looking for something a little more whimsical? One stylish way to hide bathroom trash is by hanging a small curtain in front of it. This can be used as a replacement for a cabinet door, making it easier to access and more visually interesting. Alternatively, you could place the garbage bin in the corner of the room and hang the curtain in front using an angled tension rod to create a hidden nook. Look for fabric that echoes the style of your bathroom, or use fabric scraps you already have to make this DIY even more budget-friendly.

Another way to cover your trash that can be super adaptable to your style is hiding it in a hamper. Laundry hampers come in a range of shapes, sizes, and designs, so it is easy to find the perfect one for your design aesthetic and garbage needs. For example, a distressed white one would be ideal for a rustic-style bathroom, while a navy blue one would match a nautical theme. Make sure to line the inside of the hamper to protect it from any leaks or loose debris, then simply slide the trash can inside.

Your bathroom trash can doesn't have to look boring or ugly — even if it is! You can try topping your bin with a lid that has been decked out in drooping faux plants to create a bright spot of greenery in your bathroom. If you're confident growing plants, you could even try this trick with a real indoor plant that thrives even where there's hardly any light. If you opt for living plants, though, you may need to place a pot on top of the lid so that there is enough soil for the roots.

Do you have a decor piece that you love the look of, such as a vintage barrel, old tin bucket, or oversized vase? Well, you can easily transform that item into your own bespoke bathroom receptacle. This will disguise your trash as another element of your decoration, and, to continue the theme of environmentally-friendly recycling and upcycling, you could line it with a reusable trash bag to cut down on your bathroom waste. Remember to regularly clean out the decor piece itself in case of leaks, though, in order to keep it in good condition.

This option, though more complex, is a wonderful idea for people who are tight on space and are sick of the trash can taking up valuable floor space. You can actually create a hinged door in the wall to hide your trash can away when not in use. First, cut an alcove into the wall between two studs. Then, line it with wood, cover the hole with a flat, lightweight material, and add hinges to allow it to tilt outward. For a cohesive look, try decorating the outer piece to match the surrounding wall.

If space isn't as much of an issue in your bathroom but you dislike the eyesore of an exposed trash can, why not use an attractive piece of furniture to hide it? A freestanding cabinet or hutch is a great option for this, as the garbage can be hidden away inside, and the top of the cabinet can be used for extra counter space, too. If your hutch features glass windows, however, you may want to use frosted glass spray or decorative contact paper so that the contents of the bin are not visible.