Where to Put Trash Can in Kitchen (Best Smart Ideas)

You are in the kitchen, cooking or cleaning, and the trash can is always in the way — or too far to reach. That’s frustrating, right? The best place to put your trash can in the kitchen is close to where you do most of your food work, like near the sink or under the counter. In this article, you will learn smart, simple, and helpful ways to choose the best place for your kitchen trash can that makes life easier and your kitchen look better.

Under the Sink Cabinet

Putting your trash can under the sink is one of the most popular and smartest places in the kitchen. It is hidden, which keeps your kitchen looking clean and nice. You use the sink a lot while cooking or washing dishes. So, having the trash can just under it makes it fast and easy to throw away things like food scraps, wrappers, or dirty paper towels.

Also, many kitchens already have some space under the sink that is not being used much. You can buy a sliding trash bin that fits inside the cabinet, so when you open the door, the bin slides out. This makes it very easy to use without needing to lift or carry the trash can.

Under the sink is also good if you want to keep the trash can away from pets or small kids. Since it’s inside a cabinet, it’s safer and also keeps the smell in. Some people even add a small deodorizer or air freshener inside the cabinet to make sure it always smells nice.

If your under-sink area is small, you can still use a narrow trash bin. There are many types made just for small spaces. And if you are worried about moisture from the sink pipes, you can put a plastic mat or tray under the trash bin to protect your cabinet.

Sometimes, you can even have more than one small trash bin under the sink. For example, one for regular trash and another for recycling. This helps keep your kitchen neat and helps the environment too.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to set this up. Even a simple bin that fits under the sink will do a good job. Just make sure to empty it regularly to keep the area fresh.

• Easy to reach while cooking or cleaning
• Keeps trash out of sight for a cleaner kitchen
• Safe from kids and pets
• Helps manage smells better
• Great use of a space often not used

Next to the Food Prep Area

One of the smartest places for your trash can is right next to the food prep area. This is the place where you chop vegetables, open food packages, and do most of your cooking work. When the trash can is close to this area, it makes throwing things away fast and easy. You don’t have to walk across the kitchen holding food scraps or dirty packaging.

Having your trash can right next to this area can really save you time. When you’re busy cooking, you want to move quickly. If you have to walk back and forth to the trash can, it can slow you down and even make a mess. Small things like this can make cooking feel harder than it should be.

Many people place a small or medium bin under the counter next to the cutting board or food prep spot. Some even cut a hole into the counter and place a bin below it, so they can just sweep the trash right into it. This is great for people who cook a lot and want a fast way to keep the area clean.

Even if you don’t want to do anything permanent, you can still place a simple standing bin close to where you chop and cook. You can also choose one with a foot pedal, so you don’t need to touch the lid with your hands while cooking.

Another benefit of this placement is keeping everything in one spot. You can have your cutting board, knife, trash bin, and even compost bin all nearby. This makes your kitchen more organized and your work faster.

When placing the trash can next to the prep area, just make sure it doesn’t block any drawers or doors. You want it to be easy to use but not in the way.

• Makes cooking faster and easier
• Reduces mess from carrying trash
• Helps keep prep space clean
• Easy to use while holding food
• Fits well with compost and recycling bins nearby

Inside a Pull-Out Cabinet

Using a pull-out cabinet for your trash can is a clever and clean way to hide the trash and still keep it easy to reach. These special cabinets are made with sliding drawers that hold one or two bins. You pull out the cabinet like a drawer, and the bin slides out smoothly.

This is perfect if you want a clean and neat kitchen. With the trash hidden, your kitchen looks more tidy and modern. It also helps keep pets and small children away from the trash, which can be very helpful in busy homes.

Pull-out bins are usually placed under the counter, often close to the sink or cooking area. That makes it easy to throw away food scraps or trash without moving too far. You can also place two bins in one drawer — one for trash and one for recycling. This keeps everything in one space and makes it easy to sort items.

You can buy a pull-out trash system at most home stores or online. Some are very simple and slide out by hand. Others come with a soft-close feature or even a touch sensor. It depends on your budget and how fancy you want it to be.

Installing a pull-out system is not too hard. Many people can do it themselves with basic tools. Or, you can ask a handyman to install it for you in under an hour. It fits in most lower cabinets, and there are different sizes for small or large kitchens.

This kind of setup is also better for smell. Because the trash can stays inside a closed cabinet, smells stay inside more than with an open trash can.

• Hidden from view for a clean look
• Keeps trash safe from pets and kids
• Can hold trash and recycling in one spot
• Easy to install in most lower cabinets
• Helps control smells better

Beside the Kitchen Island

If you have a kitchen island, this can be a perfect spot to place your trash can. The island is often where people chop, mix, or serve food. By putting the trash can beside it, you can keep the workspace neat and toss trash quickly. It is also a spot where guests or family members can find the trash easily without searching for it.

You can place a slim trash can at the end or side of the island, where it does not block walking paths. Many people use a foot-pedal bin here so it stays clean and hands-free. This works very well when your hands are messy while cooking.

Another smart way is to add a built-in trash drawer into the island itself. Some kitchen islands have space inside them where you can hide a pull-out bin. This keeps the trash hidden but still very close and easy to use. It also makes the island more useful, turning it into both a prep area and a trash center.

If your island has a sink, then placing the trash nearby is even better. This helps when you are washing fruits, cutting vegetables, or cleaning plates. You can throw away things without dripping across the kitchen.

You can also place a small compost bin on top of the island near the main trash can. This makes sorting food waste simple. And it encourages everyone in the home to be more eco-friendly.

Just make sure to keep enough room around the trash can. You don’t want people to trip over it or have it too close to where people eat.

• Great if your island is used for food prep
• Easy for guests and family to find the trash
• Can be built into the island or placed beside it
• Works well with foot-pedal or hidden bins
• Adds both function and style to the kitchen

In the Pantry or Utility Closet

Some people don’t like to see the trash can at all. If that’s you, placing the trash can in the pantry or utility closet is a great idea. This hides the trash completely, keeps smells away from the main kitchen, and gives the kitchen a clean, open look.

This works best if your pantry or closet is not too far from where you cook and clean. You don’t want to walk across the house just to throw something away. But if the pantry is close enough, this idea can make your kitchen feel fresh and open.

Inside the pantry, you can place a large bin or even two — one for trash and one for recycling. Since the space is usually bigger than a cabinet, you don’t have to empty it as often. That’s great for busy families or people who cook a lot.

To make it even better, you can use a bin with a lid to keep smells inside. You can also add a small motion-sensor light in the pantry so it’s easy to see, even at night. And putting a deodorizer or baking soda nearby will help keep it fresh.

The pantry is also a good place to add small bins for compost or glass items. This helps you sort all your waste in one clean, hidden area.

One tip: If you use the pantry for food, make sure the trash can is away from open food items. You don’t want trash smells mixing with your food.

• Hides the trash completely for a clean look
• More space for larger bins
• Keeps smells away from main kitchen
• Great for sorting trash, recycling, and compost
• Works well for busy homes and big families

Along an Empty Wall or Corner

If your kitchen has an empty wall or a quiet corner, that might be the best place for your trash can. Not every kitchen has space under the sink or a pantry, so using a free corner is a smart and simple choice.

This option works very well if you pick a nice-looking trash can that fits your kitchen style. There are many bins today that look sleek and stylish, with colors and designs that match your kitchen. Some even look like part of the furniture.

You can also add a small shelf above the trash can for extra use. Maybe you keep extra trash bags there or a small plant to make it look nice.

If you have a big kitchen, placing the trash can along a side wall gives everyone easy access. It’s perfect for families where more than one person cooks or cleans. You can even place more than one bin here — one for trash, one for recycling, and one for compost.

A motion-sensor trash can is also a good idea in this spot. You don’t need to touch anything, and it opens automatically. This keeps your hands clean, which is helpful when you’re cooking.

Even in a small kitchen, a corner bin can work if you choose a slim one. Some bins are made for tight spaces and can fit neatly without being in the way.

• Makes use of unused space
• Easy to set up with no tools needed
• Fits stylish bins that match the kitchen
• Great for placing more than one bin
• Works in both big and small kitchens

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best place to put your trash can in the kitchen can make your daily life so much easier. When the trash can is in the right spot, cooking, cleaning, and even recycling become faster and simpler. Each of these spots has its own use, and the right choice depends on how your kitchen is set up. Whether it’s under the sink, inside a pull-out drawer, or along an empty wall, the key is to keep it close, clean, and easy to use. Try one of these ideas and see how much better your kitchen feels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it better to keep the trash can hidden or in plain sight?

It depends on your kitchen and your style. Some people like to keep the trash can hidden inside a cabinet or pantry because it makes the kitchen look cleaner. This also helps keep smells away and is safer for kids and pets. But if you want quick access, then keeping it in plain sight with a stylish bin works well too. Just make sure it doesn’t block anything important. Both ways are good, and you can pick what feels better for your kitchen life.

Can I put the trash can in a drawer?

Yes, you can! Many people use a pull-out drawer or cabinet to hide the trash can. This is smart and keeps the kitchen looking clean. The drawer slides out when you need it and goes back in when you’re done. It also helps stop smells and keeps pets or kids from reaching the trash. There are many sizes and styles to fit almost any kitchen. It may cost a little more, but it makes your kitchen feel modern and neat.

Do I need more than one trash can in the kitchen?

Sometimes, yes. If your family cooks a lot or has a big kitchen, having two or even three trash cans can help. You can use one for regular trash, one for recycling, and another for food waste or compost. This makes it easier to keep things clean and organized. It also helps with recycling more and wasting less. You can keep them close together or in different spots, depending on your kitchen layout.

Is it safe to keep the trash under the sink?

Yes, keeping the trash under the sink is safe if you do it right. Make sure the bin fits well and doesn’t leak. You can put a mat under it to catch any drips. Also, check the pipes under the sink so they don’t get in the way. If you have kids or pets, it’s a good place to hide the trash and keep it out of reach. Just make sure to clean it often so it doesn’t smell bad.

Can I use a small trash can in a big kitchen?

Yes, you can use a small trash can in a big kitchen, especially if you empty it often. A small bin takes up less space and is easy to move. Some people place more than one small bin in different spots, like one near the prep area and one near the sink. This way, you don’t have to walk far to throw something away. Small bins also work well for sorting trash and recycling.

Do I need a lid on my kitchen trash can?

Having a lid on your kitchen trash can is a good idea. It helps stop smells, keeps bugs away, and hides the trash. If you don’t like touching the lid, you can get one with a foot pedal or a motion sensor. Some people don’t use a lid if the trash can is hidden in a cabinet or pantry. But for open trash cans, a lid keeps the kitchen cleaner and fresher.

Is it okay to keep the trash can close to where I cook?

Yes, it’s more than okay — it’s smart. Keeping the trash can near the cooking area helps you throw things away fast and keeps your workspace clean. You don’t have to walk across the kitchen with food scraps or trash. Just make sure the can doesn’t get in your way or block your cabinets. This setup makes cooking faster and cleaner. Many people find it very helpful.

Can I put the trash can near the dining area?

Yes, you can put the trash can near the dining area, especially if you have guests or kids. It makes cleaning up after meals easy. Just choose a bin that looks nice, maybe with a cover or a hidden spot. Try to keep it a little away from the table so it doesn’t smell or look bad during meals. A corner or under-counter bin near the table works great. This can save time and keep the area tidy.