How to Build Wooden Kitchen Trash Cans

Unlike utilitarian cans, decorative trash cans can hide in plain sight in your kitchen.

A trash can in the kitchen is an essential item, but isn’t always an attractive addition to the décor. By knowing how to build wooden kitchen trash cans, you can make a receptacle that hides your garbage while adding a stylish touch to the kitchen. Once the trash can is made, you can stain or paint it the color you prefer to make it blend with the existing colors in the kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• 2 plywood boards, 18 by 24 inches, 1 inch thick
• 2 plywood boards, 14 by 24 inches, 1 inch thick
• 2 boards, 2 by 4 inches, 1 foot long
• 1 plywood board, 14 by 16 inches, 1 inch thick
• 1 plywood board, 16 by 18 inches, 1 inch thick
• Wood screws, 1.5 inches
• Drill
• 2 small hinges, 2 to 3 inches long with screws
• Sandpaper
• Paint or stain

Instructions

1. Stand the two 18-by-24-inch boards upright on a flat surface running parallel to one another. Space the boards 14 inches apart. Stand one of the 14-by-24-inch boards upright and slip it between the pair of boards along one side.

2. Make the boards flush at the corners. Screw through the 18-inch boards and into the 14-inch boards every 6 inches down both sides. Place the remaining 2-foot-long board on the open side of the box, make the corners flush and secure with screws.

3. Drop the 2-by-4 boards down into the bottom of the bin. Push the boards to opposite sides with both boards resting on their 4-inch width. Drop the 14-by-16-inch square down into the box and let it rest on the boards. Screw through the outside of the box 2 inches above the ground and into the square inside every 6 inches to secure the base.

4. Place the remaining board over the trash can. Align all four sides to run flush over the bin. Determine which 18-inch side you want to be at the front of the can and which one will be at the back.

5. Hold the hinges spaced evenly apart to the top of the back panel so they touch the top board. Insert the accompanying hinge screws at the appropriate places to secure your hinges to the back panel and top board. Remove the 2-by-4s from underneath.

6. Sand over the plywood exterior surfaces of the trash can. Stain or paint the trash can as desired and allow to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Carve motifs into the face of the trash can or apply rub-on transfers to the bin to personalize it to suite your kitchen.

• Make the trash can large enough to hold a plastic trash can inside, to make cleaning out the bin or removing odors simpler.

Resources

• Custom Rustic Woodwork: Custom Rustic Trash Cans