How to Hide a Kitchen Trash Can | eHow

Likely, you'd rather look at an antique potato or onion bin or cupboard than a garbage can. But with modern appliances, you probably don't need one, but that's no reason not to have one. Retrofit such a treasure to hold a plastic trash-can liner. A vintage bin's lift-style lid works much like a garbage can lid, so it's as functional as it is smartly creative and stylish.

Extending your countertop a foot or 2 provides a place to hide the trash can -- and creates additional work surface. Hide the can with a fabric skirt. Mount the countertop-to-floor-length skirt just under the counter, using hook-and-loop tape. That way, it's easy to remove for laundering, as needed. Rather than extending your countertop, simply position a small, narrow table for the task.

The cabinet under the sink may be the most common place to hide your trash can and for good reason: The sink is likely where you do much of your mealtime prep work, such as peeling vegetables. Having the can near the sink lets you toss away peelings or packaging without having to make extra steps, dropping wet potato skins, or dripping water on the floor in the process. You also can dispose of leftovers and then rinse the dishes in an easy one-two motion.

The pantry isn't just for a stash of baking supplies, small appliances or boxed cereals; also use it to house the garbage. If your pantry has a standard door, install a lever-style doorknob that opens easily, with a push of your elbow or arm, for example, for when your hands are full or messy.

It may not be really hidden, but by camouflaging your trash can so it blends in with its surroundings, it's less visually intrusive. For example, painting the can to match the walls is one way to blend it in to the backdrop; use quality, washable, high-gloss paint for cleaning ease. If you have an artistic hand, paint a scene on the can to turn a boring blemish into a piece of art. Or, keep a stainless-steel garbage can next to a stainless-steel stove or fridge for sneaky inconspicuousness.

Kitchen cabinetry is available with numerous built-in features, including trash and recycling cans. Some cabinetry trash cans are designed to swing out with the door, and others pull out, drawer-style. An in-counter hole down which you drop garbage is another option, and it's handy near the area where you chop veggies and prep meals. If you don't plan to upgrade your cabinets or countertop in the near future, however, use a separate trash-can cabinet. Many kitchens benefit from the extra countertop area that this freestanding unit provides. No matter how you hide your kitchen trash, doing so makes the space more attractive, and as long as the can is easily accessible, smartly functional.