Goodbye To The Eyesore Of Kitchen Trash Cans: 12 Clever Ways To Hide Them

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There's no getting around the need for a functional trash can in your kitchen. Even if you recycle as much as possible and just started composting your food scraps, you'll still end up with waste that inevitably has to go to the landfill. And even though everyone has a trash can in their kitchen, no one really wants to see it (or let guests see the bin). The trick to saying goodbye to this kitchen eyesore is finding a way to disguise the waste bin (and the potential smells it creates) while still keeping it easily accessible to you. That's why we gathered several functional yet stylish ways to toss your kitchen trash.

Some of the options integrate the bin into your current kitchen setup — adding a pull-out trash drawer, hiding it behind a sink curtain, putting it in a closet, or using an over-the-door trash can are examples. Others use new items or pieces of furniture, like a freestanding wood bin, large barrel, kitchen cart, or vintage cabinet, to provide a home for a basic kitchen trash can. Still others leave the can out in the open but disguise it with paint or artificial plants. With so many options, you're sure to find a way to hide your kitchen trash can that fits your style and blends in perfectly with your kitchen decor. 

Pull-out trash bins are a discreet storage method. If you have a lower cabinet to spare, grab a conversion kit, like the Runmi pull-out trash can kit. The glides attach to the bottom inside of the cabinet and to the cabinet front to switch from a swinging cabinet door to a slide out. Because you're using the existing cabinet door, everything looks the same, and the bins stay hidden behind the door. Measure your cabinetry carefully to choose a compatible kit, and make sure your trash bins will work inside of it.

Kitchen sink curtains are the retro cottage-core kitchen trend that's making a comeback and are ideal for hiding trash cans. A thin tension rod is an easy way to install curtains — position it at the front of a cabinet to replace the traditional door, or stretch it between any two sturdy, flat surfaces. You can buy a short curtain that fits the space, or buy fabric to sew custom curtains that fit exactly. Put the trash can behind it — simply push the curtain aside to access the trash can.

If you don't have extra cabinet space, add it for the trash with a small, tilt-out structure. You can DIY a tilt-out trash cabinet using plywood and solid wood to customize the size, detailing, and color. Or, buy a premade tilt-out cabinet with spots for one or two trash cans, like this Betterhood tilt-out trash cabinet. You can still customize it by painting or staining it and adding custom hardware. This option also gives you display space on top of the cabinet, making it much prettier than a plain trash can.

Looking for creative ways to repurpose old wine or whiskey barrels? Turn one into a hiding spot for your kitchen trash can. An average bourbon barrel holds 53 gallons of liquid while wine barrels often hold around 60 gallons — that's plenty of space for your garbage. The stature of the barrel makes it a standout piece that's perfect in a rustic-style kitchen (and a great conversation starter). Add an easy-to-grab handle in the middle of the lid, or incorporate hinges to allow the lid to flip open.

A rolling island or kitchen cart gives you extra countertop space that you can move, but it can also be the solution to your trash dilemma. Look for an enclosed storage space on the cart you choose, so you can tuck your trash can inside. Options like the Ralgend kitchen island include built-in compartments for a trash can, with features like tilting cabinets. But any compartment with a door works, or you can add curtains around an open kitchen cart to conceal your trash can.

If you don't need a large kitchen trash can, opt for an over-the-door option, like the Glad Roommate under-counter waste bin. Hang it so the trash can is inside a lower cabinet, out of sight. If you're prepping meals or creating messes on the countertop, you can pull out the small trash can, and hook it on the outside of a cabinet door temporarily to catch the rubbish as you generate it. If the can isn't big enough for all your kitchen needs, it can be a small backup near prep areas.

A coat of paint or fancy hand-painted design turns your trash can from eyesore to masterful decor. Start by cleaning the outside of the trash can well so the paint goes on smooth and sticks. Then, create a customized look that fits your kitchen design theme and color scheme. Stencils and vinyl cutouts help you create precise designs. If you're considering color drenching in your kitchen, start small by painting your trash can the same color as your walls or cabinets. That way, the rubbish bin blends in and almost vanishes.

If you're looking for ways to style baskets in every part of your home, repurpose one as your kitchen trash can. You can also use other structured, woven items, like a wicker clothes hamper or trunk. Choose a container with a lid when possible to hide the kitchen discards from view, and make sure it's large enough to contain your trash. If you don't like the natural tan look, spray paint the basket in a color that matches the kitchen to blend in or contrasts for a more customized design.

Unfitted kitchens are an up-and-coming kitchen design trend that use freestanding cabinets and appliances to piece together a functional cooking space. Whether your kitchen is fully freestanding or you just have an antique cabinet in the corner, use that enclosed space to hide your trash can. Or, head to the thrift store and find a vintage wooden piece that fits into an open space in your kitchen. It adds more than just trash can storage — drawers and cabinets can hold other kitchen essentials. 

If you have a closet in or near your kitchen where you keep items like brooms and mops, tuck your trash can there. Unless your closet is jammed full, there should be room for an average-sized trash can inside. You can put your trash bin in your pantry, but you may not want a smelly trash can enclosed in the same space as your dry foods. If you put it in the pantry, choose a closed can, and position it so food can't fall into it.

Is that a flower pot or a trash can? That's what your guests will wonder when you opt for a bin like the Yatmung trash can with a built-in artificial plant on the lid. Most premade versions are on the smaller side — the Yatmung version is 2.7 gallons. To make your own, grab a larger bin with a flat lid, and glue floral foam to the lid. Then, push artificial greenery or flowers into the foam. Or, position a few large artificial potted plants around your regular trash bin as a screen.

Privacy screens and room dividers work well to block the view to messes and items like your kitchen trash can that you don't want to stick out. You can easily reach around the screen to toss trash away and access the can to empty it. If a full-size screen is too bulky for your kitchen, opt for smaller versions, like this SOFE wood folding room divider, which is 2.6 feet tall. These smaller versions are often meant to disguise litter boxes, but they also work for hiding smaller trash cans.