Find Your Perfect Kitchen Trash Can Size

Selecting the right sized trash can for your kitchen is an important decision that requires careful consideration. The perfect trash can will fit your space, match your needs and garbage output, and make taking out the trash as convenient as possible. With so many sizes and styles to choose from, it can be tricky to identify which is truly the best fit for your home.

First, we'll look at measuring your typical household waste production and space available. Next, we'll explore popular can sizes and types based on your kitchen layout. We'll also touch on smart strategies for matching trash bags, plus some eco-friendly options. Our goal is to provide the information you need to confidently select a can that optimizes convenience while minimizing hassles. A properly sized trash receptacle can help keep your kitchen cleaner and make your chores a little easier. So let's get started finding the perfect trash can solution for your home!

Consider Your Household Size and Trash Output

The first step in your trash can search is estimating how much garbage your household generates in a typical week. Larger families who cook most meals at home will logically need a bigger container versus a small household that eats takeout frequently. Take a look at how fast your current kitchen trash bags fill up to gauge your weekly refuse volume.

If you have a family of 4-5 people and go through a couple 13-gallon trash bags each week, a standard 20-25 gallon can is likely sufficient. Busy families of 6 or more will probably need a large 30-50+ gallon container to keep up with higher waste volumes. For 1-2 person households, a smaller 8-15 gallon slim or mini can will work fine.

Also factor in any recycling, composting, or food waste diversion you do, which can noticeably reduce the trash you send to the landfill. If you already recycle all plastics, glass, paper, and metals, plus compost food scraps, you may only need a smaller 10-15 gallon can despite having more family members.

Trash Can Sizes for Different Households

• 1-2 people - 8 to 13 gallons
• 3-4 people - 13 to 20 gallons
• 5-7+ people - 20 to 35+ gallons

Measure Available Space in Your Kitchen

Before shopping for cans, take measurements of the space where you plan to put your new trash receptacle. Note the height, width, and depth of the area to find options that will fit. Common placements include inside a cabinet, under the sink, or freestanding in a corner or along the wall.

For cabinet installs, measure the inner dimensions and look for trash cans with a narrow or slim profile. Allow a couple inches of clearance on each side. Same for under-sink placement - measure the opening size and ensure any pull-out drawer rails won't collide. Freestanding cans need more open floor space, so make sure you have an adequately sized spot in your existing layout.

In general, larger kitchens and wide open floor plans can fit bigger trash cans. Smaller galley kitchens will likely require downsized or under-counter models to save precious square footage. Don't forget to check for potential door and appliance clearance issues too.

How to Accurately Measure Available Trash Can Space

• For cabinet installs, measure inner width, height, and depth.
• Under-sink openings should be measured width, height, and depth.
• Freestanding spots need width and depth for the can's footprint.
• Account for extra space needed to open lids and drawer pulls.

Calculate Required Trash Can Capacity

Now that you have an estimated weekly trash volume and the available space dimensions, you can calculate the ideal can size that meets both criteria. As a general rule, look for a trash can that holds at least 20-50% more trash than your typical kitchen bag.

For example, if you fill a standard 13 gallon bag each week, aim for a 16-20 gallon container. The extra capacity prevents overflowing bags that are messy and hard to tie off. Similarly, if you fill two 13 gallon bags per week, a 30+ gallon can allows wiggle room before hitting capacity.

For households that only partially fill a 13 gallon bag weekly, a smaller 10-12 gallon can is plenty big. The key is ensuring the can isn't too gigantic for your needs or it will look half empty most of the time.

Choosing the Right Trash Can Capacity

• Measure current kitchen bags to determine typical volumes.
• Select a can at least 20% larger than current bags.
• Bigger = better to prevent constant overflows.
• But don't buy an oversized can if you don't fill standard bags.

Choose Trash Can Type Based on Convenience

Once you've narrowed your options to cans that fit your space and waste needs, next evaluate which trash can type and features will be most convenient for your kitchen and preferences.

Freestanding cans placed along a wall or in a corner don't require cabinetry or custom fittings, offering maximum flexibility. However, they do take up floor space. Models with small footprints, oval shapes, or slim profiles maximize open space in the room.

In-cabinet mounted cans free up floor real estate and keep the trash out of sight. But you have to sacrifice storage space within the cabinet and contend with opening doors to toss trash inside. Under-sink pull-out cans also preserve floor area. The tradeoff is needing to bend down to use them.

Think about ease of access from food prep and cleanup areas. Are certain spots more convenient for your kitchen workflow and habits? Place cans where you naturally pass by when cleaning up after meals or dealing with excess packaging.

Trash Can Convenience Considerations

• Floor space needed for freestanding vs. cabinet/under-sink?
• Close access from food prep and cleanup zones.
• Doors and bending are less convenient than open models.
• Hands-free opening mechanisms add accessibility.

Select Durable and Stylish Kitchen Trash Cans

Now for the fun part - choosing attractive and well-constructed kitchen trash cans to match your decor! Typical materials include plastic, stainless steel, and powder-coated metal. All are durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean options for the messy kitchen environment.

Metal cans often cost more but come in sleek stainless steel to complement modern designs. Most also feature fingerprint-proof finishes to maintain their shine and hide smudges. Plastic is generally the most affordable choice. Look for thick, high-quality plastics that resist cracks, scratches, and UV damage.

Consider handy features like soft-close lids that prevent noisy banging and built-in air fresheners or odor filters. Many cans have rubberized bottom rings to prevent sliding on smooth floors and avoid scuffing. Drop in reusable liner buckets are great for easy waste removal too.

Be sure to pick a style and color that matches your existing kitchen decor and finishes. A sophisticated stainless piece looks out of place in a homey cottage kitchen, just like a cute floral plastic can seems too playful for a serious chef's kitchen.

Selecting Durable and Stylish Trash Cans

• Stainless steel fits modern kitchens but costs more.
• Look for thick, scratch-resistant plastic to save money.
• Extra features like odor control or soft-close lids.
• Choose colors and designs to match your decor.

Find Trash Bags That Fit Your Trash Can

An often overlooked but critically important decision is finding trash bags sized to properly fit your new trash can. Bags that are too big will slip and slide around inside the container. Oversized bags also often get overly stretched and ripped by sharp objects.

On the other hand, undersized trash bags that are too narrow or short won't fully line the can. Trash can directly contact the sides or bottom, quickly leading to stains and unpleasant smells. You'll end up taking out partially-lined bags much more frequently to keep the can interior clean.

Look for trash bags designed specifically for your can brand and model size. Or carefully measure the height and circumference of your trash can so you can get custom-fit bags even if they aren't branded for that particular product.

Take a few minutes to test different bag sizes and find the optimal fit for your kitchen trash can. The right bag-can pairing makes trash duty much smoother and less messy!

Finding the Best Fitting Trash Bags

• Oversized bags stretch and rip more easily.
• Undersized bags don't fully line the can.
• Measure can dimensions to get perfect custom-fit bags.
• Look for sizing specific to your model.
• Take a few minutes to test different bag sizes.

Eco-Friendly Trash Can Options

For the waste conscious consumer, there are also many environmentally friendly kitchen trash can choices to consider. Reusable cans with washable liners reduce single-use bag waste. Or look for sturdy products made from recycled materials like aluminum or plastic.

Modular designs allow you to buy just the pieces needed as your space evolves - like an inner bucket or removable step can. This cuts down on excess when replacing old containers. You can also select smaller cans to right-size your capacity and avoid generating excess garbage.

Cans made from renewable bamboo or that give a percentage of sales to environmental causes make feel-good options too. Or pick an attractive can made from recycled steel or plastic that aligns with your eco-values.

Eco-Friendly Trash Can Selection Tips

• Reusable cans and washable liners minimize single-use bags.
• Recycled materials like plastic or aluminum.
• Modular components allow customization as needs change.
• Purchase sized-right containers to reduce excess trash.
• Cans that support environmental causes.

Finding the perfect kitchen trash can involves careful measurements, capacity calculations, and convenience considerations. But taking the time to get the size, style, and features right for your home is well worth the effort. The right trash receptacle keeps your kitchen cleaner while freeing up valuable space.

Start by looking at the cubic footage your current bags use each week and the area available in your kitchen layout. Then explore different can types and innovations to accommodate your space, habits, and preferred features. Don't forget to match custom-fit bags as well. We hope these tips help you select a trash can that optimizes functionality and makes taking out the garbage easier.