Say Goodbye To Your Kitchen Trash Can Eyesore With A Neat Thrift Store Solution
No matter how thoughtfully you've styled your kitchen, there's one item that almost always breaks the illusion: the trash can. Maybe you've tried budget-friendly ways to hide outdoor garbage bins to make them less of an eyesore but just can't figure out what to do about your kitchen trash can. Even the sleekest stainless steel version can still read as exactly what they are — functional, unavoidable, and not very charming. Basically, your trash can is just an eyesore that you're forced to look at every single day.
That's where this clever thrift store find comes in. Instead of trying to disguise a trash can with decorative decals or tuck it into an already crowded cabinet, some homeowners are repurposing tall, vintage wood boxes as hidden trash can solutions. These pieces were originally designed to store potatoes, onions, flour, and other dry goods, which means they're built to hold bulky contents while blending seamlessly into your kitchen decor. Once closed, they look like furniture.
The best part is that these wooden cabinets are easy to find and usually inexpensive. They typically feature a slanted top and a single large storage space inside. You could look for a compact potato and onion bin, a primitive branded coffee bin, or even a large antique boot and mitten bin if your trash can is on the bigger side. Either way, thrift stores, estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, and antique malls are all solid hunting grounds. All you need for this hack is your usual trash can, a trash can liner, and your chosen thrifted storage cabinet.
Keep your trash can hidden with a vintage wood box
What makes this thrifted solution so effective is how naturally it hides your trash. These storage cabinets are designed to conceal their contents while still being easy to access, which makes them ideal for trash storage. Not to mention, the top-hinged opening allows you to drop waste inside without exposing the bin.
Setting it up is straightforward. Once you've cleaned out the cabinet, place a trash bin inside that fits comfortably (think a 13-gallon trash can) without scraping the sides. To customize, you can paint it to match your kitchen decor or even swap out the hardware for an upgrade. If you decide to paint it, though, make sure you know how to paint any kind of wood furniture. Even small details, like placing decor on top, will help your new piece blend into its surroundings. You can even set your weekly to-do list on top!
@court4ney this is now officially one of my favorite corners of the house! it always had such big potential with that beautiful artwork and the hanging plant but had the big ugly trash can under it all 😭 now I can hide the ugly trash & broken down boxes can go behind! #antiquestorefinds #shopsmallshoplocal #antiquestorehaul #woodentrashbin #trashcansolutions
Beyond the kitchen, this concept works in other rooms, too. Try placing one in your laundry room, home office, or even mudroom. If you want to do something for your bathroom trash but your vintage cabinet won't fit, try the simple DIY that hides your bathroom trash cans in a snap. The nice thing about this hack is that the cabinet is easy to move around and rearrange. However you use it, your new thrift find is sure to transform your home and add a bit more charm.