A simple trash can swap eliminated odors and saved vital floor space in my tiny kitchen – and it's now on sale

It sorts the recycling from the trash, limits smells, and keeps my small kitchen neat

A rustic kitchen with white countertops. Glass jars of dried food goods on the counter and shelves beneath. Dark blue pained cabinets.
(Image credit: Nkuku)

I live in a fairly small home, but the most compact space of all is the kitchen. It's so small that there isn't enough room for a traditional trash can without it constantly getting in the way.

The solution? A pull-out trash can from Amazon that we tucked away into a cabinet. We didn't think much of it beyond necessity, but it has quickly become one of my favorite functional features of our home, and even designers approve.

I had no idea how convenient it would become. Now, I would never organize a kitchen without one – and for three key reasons.

How a pull-out trash can fixed the waste snags in my small kitchen

Trash cans are a kitchen essential, but they are far from the most exciting or aesthetic element. This is especially relevant when you are trying to figure out where to put one in a small kitchen that will always be in your line of sight.

Hiding a trash can in a kitchen, however, is the perfect solution.

1. It saves space

A grey plastic pull out garbage bin in a kitchen cabinet

My pull out trashcan is the perfect size for the two of us, and doesn't take up too much cabinet space.

(Image credit: Future / Chiana Dickson)

There is no denying that organizing a small kitchen is demanding at the best of times. But when you need to fit such a large essential in, it becomes a logistical nightmare.

Slotting a pull-out trash can into the cabinet beneath my sink did take away some kitchen cabinet space, but in an area that I would not have used for anything other than cleaning products at most. As a pay-off, it freed up floor space, helping me to maintain clear walkways around the small U-shaped kitchen. Given that the only other option would be to put a standing bin blocking the back door, the smaller cleaning cabinet space was more than agreeable.

Besides, as I am making a conscious effort to cut back on harsh cleaning chemicals in favor of green cleaning, I have less to store, making it a win-win.

Finally, there is no denying that hiding your trash can will make a kitchen look expensive, instantly improving the aesthetics of the space.

2. It reduces odors

a pull out cabinet bin with purple liner

Pull out bins with lids prevent smells and pests in your kitchen.

(Image credit: Liudmila Chernetska via Getty Images)

I have quickly discovered that a pull-out trash can is one of the best ways to banish bad kitchen smells.

While a trash bin with a lid does help with this, a trash bin with a lid that is also inside of a closed cabinet offers a second layer of protection against escaping odors. Paired with cleaning a kitchen weekly, and my kitchen never suffers from bad smells (unless we have salmon for dinner, that is).

Trapping odors and containing trash is also a great way to prevent indoor pests. As Ed Dolshun, VP of business development and technical director at Catchaster explains, 'Generally pests are attracted to areas where food and harborage are plentiful. Minimizing food waste, crumbs and spills in kitchen and pantry areas is important as is properly storing open food packages in well-sealed containers.

'Paying careful attention to storage and removal of household trash is also an essential factor when trying to keep your home pest free.'

3. It is more convenient

A grey kitchen island with a dishwasher mounted into it. A white stone worktop with an undermounted kitchen sink. Three large pendants hanging above.

Integrated trash systems are completely seamless, for a beautiful kitchen.

(Image credit: Designer: Linda Gerace-Skinner / Photographer: Megan Mumford Photography)

Keeping a trash can under your counter makes cleaning a kitchen after dinner quicker and easier.

It might not seem like a big difference between a pull-out bin and a free-standing can, but as Diane Meyer, interior designer at Interior Designs Atelier shares about a recent project by her colleague Linda Gerace-Skinner, 'When designing an island with a sink, incorporating a trash can pull-out to the left or right of the sink allows for quick and easy disposal of food scraps during meal preparation and cleanup.

'As this (pictured above) is a smaller kitchen in an open floor plan, placing the trash can inside the island cabinet frees up the valuable floor space and keeps the trash can out of the way in high traffic walkways,' she adds.

Meet the experts

Ed Dolshun

Ed has over 12 years of experience in the pest management industry. Prior to joining AP&G, he served many years as an Environmental and Regulatory Specialist at Bergen County Community Development and also taught an Environmental Issues course at Fairleigh Dickinson University as part of their Masters of Administrative Science Program. 

Diane Meyer
Diane Meyer

Diane is an award-winning interior designer with over 25 years of experience. Based in Saratoga Springs, Interior Designs Atelier is recognized throughout the Capital Region in Upstate NY as the go-to luxury design firm and trusted project management for renovations/remodels. 

FAQs

How often should you take out the trash?

It is a good idea to take out the trash every few days to prevent rotting food from making your kitchen smell or attracting pests. A good rule of thumb is to take the trash out as soon as the bag is full or you start to notice an odor.

How do you clean a pull out trash can?

The easiest way to clean a pull out trash can is to remove the canisters and clean them using an anti-bacterial spray and paper towels. While the canister is out, extend the pull-out tray out fully and wipe it down to disinfect.


If you are still concerned about trash odors in your kitchen, consider trying our trash can paper towel hack to create a scented buffer for your space.

Chiana Dickson
Content Editor

Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years and is our resident 'queen' of non-toxic living. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips. She was named one of Fixr's top home improvement journalists in 2024.

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