Chic Kitchen Trash Cans

You know you’ve made it when a guest walks into your kitchen and begins looking around, eyes as wide as the disposable plate in their sweaty palms, trying to figure out where you’ve concealed your trash can, knowing they only have mere seconds to identify said location themselves before you get to utter those two little words: “trash can?”

Kitchen trash cans are necessary, fugly and kind of embarrassing, and those of us who have perfected the art of concealing our shame behind the cabinet door or through other strategic placement are the MVPs of humans. The unfortunate reality is that many kitchens are not equipped with pull-out trash cans or a conveniently out-of-the-way corner for hiding a trash can. So we’re left trying to find the best and most beautiful cans to display in our otherwise inoffensive kitchens.

And us? We’re here to help.

Below we’ve got a list of our favorite finds for chic kitchen trash cans that will fit any style of kitchen and make as much or as little of a statement as you prefer. We hope you find the right fit to throw your garbage into!

Beyond selecting a trash can that looks decent in your kitchen, there are other measures you can take to maintain your household trash areas.

Biweekly, clean the entire inside of the can (including removing and cleaning any inserts it may have) and follow with a generous application of odor eliminating spray. We like to use Naked Jungle for this!
Food waste is the biggest offender of trash cans, so having a separate compost bin will allow your trash can to stay as not-icky as possible while also benefiting the planet. If you have no use for compost and don’t have a local compost drop off (many community gardens offer this, just call and ask!), consider reserving a spot with Mill, a company that provides a compost bin for you and then picks up your compost on a regular basis to bring to farms as feed or to turn into usable soil.
For stainless steel trash can, use a stainless steel spray on the exterior weekly to remove smudges, scuffs, and drips that always seem to appear.

Brabantia Bo Touch Top Trash Can: A touch top trash can with a uniquely stylish look available in a ton of different colors!
Brabantia Bo Touch Top Dual Compartment Recycling Trash Can: Similar to the above in style, but with dual compartments for recycling and waste.
GROVE CO. Recycling & Waste Bin: This petite 2-gallon dual trash can is perfect for anyone who makes very little trash (don’t brag), and will fit in most under-sink cabinets.
SONGMICS Trash Can: A pedal operated two-bin trash can that is unfussy and comes in several styles including a lovely almond color (this is the one we have)!
Simplehuman Rectangular Step Trash Can : A classic that isn’t ashamed of its trashcan nature, but with some bells and whistles to make it oh so desirable, such as a silent close lid and custom sized liners for a perfect fit. This would be a fantastic choice in a kitchen with stainless steel appliances!
BIQWBIC Kitchen Trash Can with Lid: This trash can comes with a whole lot of 5-star ratings and a low, low price of just $55, making it the most affordable full-size trash can on this list. You can get it in classic stainless steel, a sleek black color, or a lovely shade of pink.
Joseph Joseph Totem Waste Separation Bin: In my opinion this is kind of the Rolls-Royce of trashcans, with three bins–one for compost, one for waste, and one for recycling. Even with three compartments, it manages to be small-space friendly. Maybe not the best for a bustling household that creates a lot of waste, but perfect for an individual or couple.