Decorative Trash Cans

Buying Guide

Planning trash collection in your home might not be one of your favorite topics as a homeowner, but proper organization ensures a house is clean and safe to live in.

What's the choice of materials for pretty trash cans?

The online market is riddled with trash bins that aren’t just capable of meeting your home’s conditions, but they also enhance your living space’s aesthetic-wise. Some of the materials pretty trash receptacles are made of include metal, fiberglass, concrete, plastic.

A metal trash bin is a great option for outdoor use as it prevents vandalism. Galvanized steel, more specifically, come with a hard thermoplastic coating that deters graffiti, an ability to resist fire, and protect trash in a moist area.

Your other options include fiberglass, concrete, and plastic. However, painted metal is your best option if you are after a decorative look.

For the kitchen as well as your living room, go for something rustic and “woodsy.” For something sleek and modern that’s great for a bathroom, fiberglass and aluminum will definitely do the trick.

If your furnishings are mostly in black, then go with plastic or steel, depending on the level of durability your home needs. Match your existing décor to your new trash bin to achieve a cohesive look.

Where to place pretty trash cans at home?

By now, you already know that trash bins are necessary for making sure your home is litter-free. To boost the cleanliness within your living spaces, make sure you determine the proper placements of your pretty trash bins. Otherwise, your decorative trash bins will go unused and create a litter problem.

To strategize the placement of your receptacles, map out your home and find the areas where trash is frequently created in the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. If you require to do a bit of searching for a trash bin, then that’s how you know the receptacle is too hidden.

If you still haven’t determined the proper locations, observe the natural flow of activity and traffic in your home. Also, keep a close eye on what your entire household is doing. By observing the habits and tendencies of your family members, you get a full understanding as to where trash accumulates. You'll also find the best way for you to make your family more comfortable.

What are the available trash emptying options?

Through the Top - Most pretty trash bins empty through their topmost parts. If you utilize this type of emptying option with one bin, it is best to stay consistent and purchase bins with this style to avoid confusion.
Side Access Door - This option allows you to empty the bins from their sides. They have doors that slide, pull out or open like French doors. They're easier and faster to work with, but they have a downside: they are more susceptible to damage as they have more moving parts.

What trash can capacity do you need?

If your pretty trash bin's capacity is not enough, it'll quickly overflow and you'd have to empty it out more frequently. Having a capacity that's too large is also not ideal as trash will start to smell before it gets collected. A small capacity indoor decorative bin is great for hallways, restrooms, living rooms, and other low traffic areas.

Did you think that any kitchen trash can would do? Rubbish! From lids to size and material, there are quite a few things that you should consider if you don't want to end up with a painfully impractical garbage can… and unpleasant smells.

Here's how to choose a kitchen trash can that matches your needs, budget and habits the most without wasting your patience every time you use it.

What Are the Different Types of Kitchen Trash Cans?

The main difference is the lid. Sure, because you'll keep your kitchen trash can indoors you won't have to worry about raccoons (hopefully!), but how you open it will still make a difference:

No lid: this is surely quick and practical, especially when chucking vegetable peels as you prep your food, but… let's be honest: it won't smell nice! We don't recommend this type of garbage can unless you're planning on keeping it inside a cupboard and emptying it every day;

Standard or lift lid: these are usually cheaper, and fewer mechanisms mean less breakage; however, these lids can be a bit impractical, since you'll have to touch them with your hands (not the best when you're cooking!);

Swing-top lids: these are also quite cheap, but can be a recipe for disaster! Not only they require you to touch the lid: they can also result in spillages, especially when your bin starts to fill up. Don't forget that you'll also end up wiping them more often;

Pedal: you won't need to touch the lid! Pedals are a very practical choice; just keep in mind that they might break after a while if your kids aren't too gentle when pressing them;

Sensor-activated: no-touch nor pedals, this is a fantastic choice if you only want the best of the best and you're happy to spend the right amount of money for it, because buying a cheap one will usually mean that the sensor will stop working after a few months.

What Size Should a Kitchen Trash Can Be?

There are two things that you must look at in order to determine the right size for your kitchen trash can:

The space in the cupboard or kitchen where you're planning on placing it: make sure you measure it, without forgetting about the available height and allowing enough room to lift the lid depending on the design you're planning on going for;

How much trash you usually accumulate: be honest!
- Keep in mind that a small bin could require you to take out the trash too often, but one that is too big for your needs will only result in a slow build up of rubbish and, consequently, unpleasant smells;
- To give you an idea, the standard size is 13 gallons, which is a handy starting point for families.
- However, if you live on your own, you might want to look at around 8 gallons instead, unless you consume lots of bulkier items such as large milk jugs.

What is the Best Material for a Kitchen Trash Can?

Your best choice is a metal like stainless steel: these trash cans are durable, easy to clean, and great at retaining odors. Other options include:

Plastic: usually cheaper, it does look less glamorous, but it doesn't really matter if you're going to place it inside a cupboard;

Wood: it's undoubtedly a beautiful option and it might even complement the décor style of your kitchen, but an accidental leakage could result in a wet, smelly mess;

Wicker or rattan: much like wood, they're a more decorative option, but, unless you already own other wicker elements, they'd be better suited for your patio.

Quick Tips

Let's go through a little recap to make sure you choose a kitchen trash can that doesn't end up annoying you in the long run:

Consider your habits, durability and where you're planning on placing the trash can in order to pick one with the right lid for you
As for size, measure its designated space (allowing enough room to lift the lid!) and think of how much rubbish you usually accumulate on a weekly basis: 13 gallons is the standard size for kitchen trash cans
While wood, plastic, wicker and rattan might be a better fit for your décor and budget, stainlesssteel is the best material: it's durable and impeccable at retaining odors.