Thanks for all of your thoughts and suggestions on the beginnings of our pantry project on Tuesday. We’re kind of swimming in ideas for what to do, but for starters we knew we wanted to take everything out (even the door off its hinges) to begin the process of priming and painting.
And, thanks to the conversation between Sherry and I that Tuesday’s post sparked, one thing that won’t be going back into the pantry is our trash can. Instead, it’s gonna go into this cabinet right here. This the cabinet on the end of our peninsula, facing in towards the prep area (as opposed to the eating area). Just ignore all of the pantry cast-offs on the counter.
Although we didn’t have any odor issues with our trash can in the pantry after a month or so of use that way (we initially worried about that and mentioned it here), our decision to move the garbage out of the pantry was three-fold.
- We knew that bottom space could be more functional for storing stuff if so much of it weren’t taken up by the trash can (and trash can lid-clearance).
- When we really thought about it, having a kick-step trash can wasn’t nearly as hands-free now that we had to open the pantry door and then get our foot in there to open it – so one of those moves (either pulling something open with our hand, or stepping on the can when it’s out in the open) would be more efficient than both.
- This cabinet wasn’t doing a whole lot except for housing a few vases. Hello missed opportunity. Nice to meet you.
Rather than just jam a trash bin in there, we decided to purchase a product that many of you recommended in the comments on Tuesday – one of these Rev-A-Shelf pull-out containers. They also sell a larger version with two cans, but we didn’t have a cabinet that would easily accommodate that configuration – and we figure one small can will encourage us to empty it more regularly (we have a plan for our recyclables too, but we still need to flesh that out).
The somewhat frustrating thing about this cabinet was that it wasn’t a natural fit for the system, thanks to this barely visible half-shelf (it’s in all of our lower cabinets, and it prevented the can from sitting all the way back). That shelf doesn’t just slide in and out – it’s nailed in on all sides so it’s permanently built-in, as opposed to being removable or adjustable. Urgh.
But that didn’t stop me. I knew I’d just have some wood cutting in my near future. So I followed the instructions, lined up the paper template in my shelf, drilled some pilot holes, and then screwed the two tracks into the floor of the cabinet.
Then I snapped the other pieces into place, which took very little time. The entire conversion would’ve taken no more than ten minutes if I didn’t have my little half-shelf issue to deal with. But at least having the track in place meant that I could mark the shelf with where I needed to cut (note the green tape).
I only need to notch out a 3″ deep by 8″ space for the can to slide into, so I broke out my Dremel Sawmax (here’s the one we have) to do my dirty work because it’s fairly small and good at plunge cuts (i.e. I can plunge the blade into the wood at any point). It was a fast cut to make, but sure was messy. It spewed sawdust everywhere, as you can sorta tell from my awesome iPhone pic. You’ll have to forgive me. I was actively being sprayed with sawdust.
With everything cleaned up, the can slid back into place, and even the vases put back – I could’ve called this project done… but I wasn’t satisfied.
Next to the pull-out cabinet converter, I saw that Rev-A-Shelf also sold a Door Mounting Kit, which intrigued me because it meant that I could further make our old cabinet function like a newer one.
The installation of this was less straightforward – partly because the instructions were a bit vague. But the gist was that you had to install these two bracket “fins” to the sliding portion of the trash can tray.
This was easier said than done considering the nuts and screws were tiny and hard to hold in place. Made me wish I had tiny Kristen Wiig hands.
Once those were attached, you bolted on some larger brackets – which is where you’d eventually attach the cabinet door.
When I put everything back in place (except for the cabinet door, which I had removed) I immediately realized I had a problem. Although I followed the instructions, they didn’t account for old doors like mine, which sit half-recessed into the cabinet frame (they literally are half-sunk, so there’s a lip that rests on the frame and an inset area that slides into the opening for a tight seal). You can see from the picture below how the brackets were overhanging our frame, meaning this cabinet door wouldn’t sit flush like the rest of them.
So I improvised. I took the brackets off and switched them around so that they faced inward instead of out. Problem solved. Oh, and here’s the genius part. This whole time I was worried about attaching the cabinet door back in the right place. How would I keep it straight and lined up with the other door? With the double-stick tape they included, that’s how.
The tape wasn’t a permanent solution, but it allows you to hold your door up, get it right where it looks good and then press it against the tape.
Then you can gently pull the whole thing out – door still stuck in place – and screw it together more permanently from the back (just be sure you’re only putting screws into the thick frame of the cabinet, otherwise you might see some poking out the other side).
With the cabinet door secured to the brackets, things went back into place once more (can you tell there was lots of putting together and taking apart in this process?). But the end result was not too shabby, if I do say so myself.
Although I’m a little sad to give up the size of our old garbage can, I’m really impressed with how easy it was to install this new system. And how in some weird way it makes these old cabinets of ours feel a little newer. The nice thing about this is that we can reuse the system in our new kitchen, or even keep it in place in these old cabinets when we reuse them in the garage to make a little workshop down the line (won’t I be the fanciest man in town with a pull-out garage trash can?).
The only thing left to do is touch-up the screw holes where the hinges used to go on the right side. Although I’m secretly dreaming about a way to reinstall them as sort of “dummy hinges” so that both doors look symmetrical. But that’s a project for another day…
We picked up some other baskets, bins, and pantry organization gizmos on the same trip that yielded this trash can contraption, so once all of our priming and painting is done we’re excited to get stuff back in the pantry – hopefully in a much more organized manner. And considering all the snow that we’re getting, I think we’ll have plenty of time to futz around in there over the next few days. Then the pantry party is officially on.
P.S. Wanna see more home improvement updates? Here are a whole bunch to peruse.
*This post contains affiliate links*
Laurie says
Very fancy! I love my pull-out garbage cabinet. Even if it means you have to take out the garbage more often. It’s so much easier to get to than when it was under the kitchen sink and things don’t drop off into the back of the sink cabinet.
This was an excellent upgrade!
Katie says
A thought on the hinges…couldn’t you just attach them to the frame of the cabinet and not to the cabinet door? Maybe a little super glue on the pin of the hinge to keep it “locked” in place? The tab would still stick out into the cabinet opening so maybe it would be in the way of the pullout but maybe not?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, the issue is that the tab would get in the way of the pullout, so we think we’ll need to cut the tab off and then attach them. Not sure if our (many) Dremels can cut metal that way though. Haha! We have so many, but aren’t sure if they’ll work.
xo
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Wren says
Question: Why don’t you just use your trash compacter as your trash can? Forgive me… I might not know enough about trash compacters…
YoungHouseLove says
It’s broken, so we could technically still use the bin to hold trash, but it’s really old and heavy and squeaky, so we worry Clara’s little fingers would get crushed. We’d love to remove that and use the space for something more functional though!
xo
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Robyn S. says
This is awesome! I didn’t know such a thing existed. Definitely getting this for my pot and pan cabinet.
Dawn says
We have the same (well, not the same brand) slide out system, no lid, and it works well. Enjoy yours!
I’m probably the only person on earth who doesn’t know how a trash compactor works. I mean, I know it compacts trash, but then what – do you empty it? Does it funnel the trash somewhere, or am I thinking of trash chutes?
Thanks for giving me something to Google and procrastinate on real work. :D
YoungHouseLove says
I have no idea either! Ours was broken when we bought this house and we have never had one in a previous house. I don’t think it funnels anywhere, it just makes little flat cubes and you take them out to the trash? I think?
xo
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Rachel says
I love this. We just totally renovated the kitchen, but didn’t put one of these in. Now I am kicking myself b/c the trash can is out all the time. I mean, it’s stainless steal and doesn’t look horrible, but the recycling bin really bums me out. It just looks junky. I’ve been trying to talk my husband into this (a double, one side with trash and the other with recycle) and I think this post will help! Thanks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck Rachel!
xo
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Dawn says
So um, there’s a whole debate on whether the Death Star has a trash compactor.
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/on-the-implausibility-of-the-death-stars-trash-compactor
You’re welcome. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahha!
xo
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Laura Jinkins says
Re: Dummy Hinges — I’m not sure how your original hinges are designed, but I have done this with plantation shutter hinges where the shutter panel has to be installed on magnets because of a tall kitchen faucet, etc. that prevents opening the panel like usual — you can fold the hinge back on itself (if the hinge is the “right” kind) and screw both “flaps” to the cabinet (or the door, probably to make sure the trash can slides out without bumping the hinge part). It works really well for us. Hope it will work for you!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that tip! Will have to see if ours can fold that way. Would be awesome if they can!
xo
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Cassie says
My parents have the same thing and the small trash can does get a little annoying, but since the bag is bigger we would always pull the bag out and fill it completely before taking it out (like running around to bathrooms/bedrooms) so we weren’t taking out a half-empty bag.
ps- I had a dream last night that you guys came over and I was SO mad at my husband because he let you in without cleaning the house first. Hahaha, so random!
Cassie says
…………and sorry if thats creepy!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s not creepy it’s hilarious!
xo
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Kate says
I also have this system, came with the house when we moved in and had the same worries as everyone else! But I have to say they are completely unfounded and I’d really never go back to our old “trash can” (we use that for recycling and although it is marked, it is a lot of times mistaken as the garbage can when we have guests over-only drawback!)
My one suggestion for you is that this can perfectly fits those brown paper bags you get from grocery stores. I try to use my reusable bags but sometimes forget. Covered with a plastic store bag on the outside, it makes the perfect garbage can liner! (And free too!) My mom doesn’t use reusable bags at the store, so she always has a million and I grab them everytime I go over there. I haven’t bought a new box of plastic bags in over a year!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip!
xo
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wendy says
Saying this with only love . . .
Two typos driving this former English teacher nuts!
Should read “its hinges” (showing possession, NOT it is)
Should read “sparked the conversation between Sherry and ME” (NOT between Sherry and I) since between uses the accusative case
Love your blog, love that I’m now local in Chester near Richmond, and love that have I followed your blog since living back in Texas. One of our first stops was to Gelati Celesti thanks to you guys! YUMMO and beautifully decorated!
wendy says
And see what happens when I open up my big mouth?
I stumbled over my own words above! That’s called eating some humble pie!!!!!!!! Ugh!!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Wendy! We always appreciate typo tips! All fixed :)
xo
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Taylee @ twist me fit says
Love that idea! So organized.
Isabel says
I have the same thing for my recycling (sans the door contraption adaption, which I’m totally going to get now!) and I really like it. I think you guys made a good choice and now you’ll have all that extra space in the pantry. Milk it for what it’s worth for those of us who don’t have one! ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, this one’s for you Isabel!
xo
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Blake says
We have a similar trash can under the sink cabinet. An added perk is that you don’t need to buy trash bags with that size bin … we just reuse our plastic grocery bags and have a bag holder like this for $10 to keep them handy:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/simplehuman-2.3-gallon-grocery-bag-holder/s595805?a=1552&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=COGeitDWybwCFecRMwodMTIAwA
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
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Melissa@TheChicDream says
My dad gave me a pull-out system like yours that he has had lying around his cabinet shop for years but I’m on the fence about using it. How are you liking yours? What do you do when your hands are full of something that you need to dump? Do you have to just think ahead and have the door open? I want to hide my trash can so badly but not if it’s going to be hassle when I need it!
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve only had it for about 24 hours but so far we love it (it’s much easier to pull out the sliding trash bin than open the pantry door and step on the lever, so it has been great so far. I think leaving the door open if you’re about to do something messy would be really smart too!
xo
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Sandi says
We were looking at buying the same contraption.. unfortunately we definitely need a lid for our garbage because we don’t go through a bag very fast so it sometimes sits there for over a week. I’ve yet to find one that has a lid for some reason.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh someone said they found a lid on amazon.com for the exact bin in this system I think and it works really well for them! Hope it helps!
xo
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Katie B. says
Wow! That is one fancy trash can set-up! I am jealous!
We use a trash can about that size (and have for nearly 2 years) and I think it is the perfect size for a kitchen! Our garage is right off our kitchen, so we keep a large can in there to put the really stinky stuff in and the rest can go in our little trash can (and that means we don’t have far to walk to take out the trash). It probably gets emptied once every two days.
Sara says
You guys are seriously reading my mind. Just last week we installed a system like this in our old cabinets. I was wishing there was a way to put the door on the sliding system too… I wonder if the brand I bought has a similar thing. You guys are genius! Thanks for the encouragement to not settle for the old hinged door.
YoungHouseLove says
Of course, Sara! Best of luck!
xo
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Mamaw says
We have the same system for our trash as well and love it. We actually have two trash cans in ours, one for trash and one for cans. Good job, John!
Emily Mc says
Oh my, my excitement level for this is a bit absurd. Since moving to our new house we have had nowhere for the recycling to go and a ginormous stainless steel trash can in the kitchen. If it was not snowmageddon outside I would send the hubs to Lowes right now!! This contraption will be installed this weekend…thanks for the the great idea!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad! Happy bin-installing, Emily!
xo
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Jenny B says
When we remodeled our kitchen one of my biggest concerns was where to put the garbage/recycling/compost. We ended up having an 18 inch wide cabinet with drawer above and pull out cabinet below (like you made!) with front to back garbage bin in front and recycling bin behind (basically just two garbage bins pulled out on a shelf). Then we got a slide out bin from ikea for under the sink (sort of like you bought, but smaller, and with a lid) that has a space in front for the compost, and space in back for the garbage and compost Biobags (we have city compost, so place ours in compostable bags before putting in our green bin). Having an actual built in space for all those things was one of the most satisfying things about our remodel – and all the pretty helped too! One thing, you might want to consider getting a handle and putting centered on the top of the door. Handles are 100% easier to pull out (you can even just slip a pinky through if your hands are full), and having it in the center means the door won’t start to get wobbly and pull off on one side by being pulled out unevenly.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome Jenny! Thanks for the tip!
xo
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Sara says
I’m so excited to see the finished, organized pantry! I love organization!
How much snow did you guys get yesterday/last night? We have about a foot in southern PA with 6 more inches coming later today and another one tomorrow!
YoungHouseLove says
We got about 4-5″ but are supposed to get some more later I think!
xo
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sara says
Oh yeah, the best! That is my most favourite, useful kitchen door; every time I open and toss my recycle into it, I smile and pride myself for the wise decision of installing it – although mine was an IKEA piece, already made. Cool how you transposed yours. You will love it forever! Maybe you will make the door on the left into a recycle bin pull out.
Holly says
My eyes are on FIRE! I’m so happy for you guys, but I’m fuming that we added a pull out trash/recycle feature in our kitchen when our home was built last year…and they charged us $400 for it! I thought it was expensive at the time, asked my dad (who had recently done a kitchen reno) and he said that sounded about right, so we went for it.
UGH!!!
DIY = FTW
YoungHouseLove says
OH NO! Now I’m fuming for you! So sorry about that Holly!
xo
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Sarah says
When we moved in I also had a nailed down shelf, but I was on a trash can install mission so I asked the hubby where the sledgehammer was…he was worried. But we got the trash can installed and love it. We installed a second one right next to it for recyclables.
I do like the door mounting system. I need to look into that.
Dominique Paolini says
I love this! I wish I had the spare cabinet space to hide away my unsightly rubbish.
Kelli says
Pretty sweet! Way to be ingenuitive!
margaret says
you are going to LOVE your new system!! when we gutted the kitchen in our last house my husband installed the rev-a-shelf ….one for garbage and one for recycling (if i did this correctly, my link below will take you to the blog post). when we moved into our current house that was the very first project i asked him to do. we used it for ~1.5 years in the first house and we’ve been in our current house for over 2.5 years. never had a single problem with the set-up. i definitely recommend installing the recycling in the cabinet right next to the garbage. for some reason your shelf is slightly different….ours has a small shelf/basket behind the can where you can put a box of garbage bags. super convenient!!
http://mylifechasingkids.blogspot.com/2009/06/few-of-my-favorite-things.html
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
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Kaija says
I have this Simple Human one under the sink and I love it! I think it’s close to 10 years old and still functions like new.
http://www.simplehuman.com/30-litre-under-counter-pull-out-can-commercial-grade
Funny, never though of retrofitting the door like you did, maybe because the SH is one of my “splurge” items and I so love it as it is.
YoungHouseLove says
Looks awesome!
xo
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Nicole says
YES! As soon as we move and I have a kitchen with more than 3 cabinets I am installing one of these… I HATE having an exposed trash can. My almost 2 year old is obsessed with throwing things out and refuses to use the step-kick feature. Therefore she is always touching the trash can. Hopefully with this setup she will only get her paws on the cabinet. Plus, I generally favor a hidden trash in my kitchen design anyway!
Diane C. says
We did the exact same thing! I mean exactly. We had the same old trash bin and got the sme new one as you guys. We actually find the two trash cans to hold about the same amount of garbage. Though it was hardto get in the habit of throwing stuff out under the sink, I like having the trash out of sight. (My first time home after a long trip, I couldn’t find the trash and though my husband had put it out on the deck without telling me) Our twoyear old actually now looks under people’s sink for the trash when we are visiting people.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
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Meghan says
A question….since you turned the whole thing into a pull-out drawer, why did you need the pull out contraption for the garbage can? Wouldn’t it just pull out with the drawer instead?
YoungHouseLove says
You needed both systems to make this work since the base of the cabinet is static (the first system makes the bin pull out from the base of the cabinet thanks to some drawer slides, and the second system allows the door to pull out in front of the can if that makes sense).
xo
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Lydia says
We have the same garbage can set up and hate it. Love that it’s hidden but since it’s so small, you’ll be throwing out garbage so much more often when the bag isn’t even full.
Jen says
I have wanted to put one of these in our kitchen for awhile now, but hesitated out of fear it’d be a.) too complicated and b.) we have that annoying half shelf issue as well. Thanks for this great post with excellent direction. You’ve abolished my fears and I’m ready to install!
YoungHouseLove says
Go Jen, go!
xo
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Joanna says
If the missing hinge really bothers you, maybe you could paint one in, or use something like Sugru to make a fake one and stick it on.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a fun idea too! We’d love to cut the tab off the hinge we have and just screw it in place so it would sit behind the cabinet and look real (and stay put when we pull out the cabinet) so we just have to figure out if any of our Dremels will cut metal that way :)
xo
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Tawnya says
Oh my, thanks for sharing this. I’ve had the same trashcan insert for a few years now and love it. However I didn’t know about the second kit to mount the door. Now I must have it! I sacrificed one of my (very) needed 5 lower cabinets for the can because it was that or put it in the pantry and I’d rather flip open the door next to the sink than have to open the pantry to get to the can. Now if I can talk my hubby into doing this it will be even better.
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck Tawnya!
xo
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Mary says
I have old cabinets too. Have you or others written what to do with an old corner cabinet (no lazy susan but L-shaped)and has a large dead space where old kitchen items go to die? I currently have a large plastic tub inside which houses my plastic bowls and other bulky non-breakables. Even placed a stick up light so I could see stuff when I crawled inside. This is in the peninsula part of the cabinets so I could access from dining area if I cut a hole from that side.
Would love your thoughts!
YoungHouseLove says
I just stick rarely used stuff back there (we recently removed our griddle from the pantry and stuck it back there). It’s a super annoying space thought because you can hardly see it! I bet Rev-A-Shelf sells some pull-out thing you could attach to make it more useful though! They seemed to have a ton of options.
xo
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Colette says
I love how you made it work by improvising. Now I have a song in my head: “Who took the trash out? Who, who, who who? lol
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
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KathyG says
Love! When you design the new kitchen, just design one of these in so that you can have the double and taller size. IMT, personally I would put a second one right beside it since you had to use the small one. You’ll be able to relocate these into your bathrooms too, so no money wasted! 2
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
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Shannon says
You guyssssss! You don’t even understand how much more awesome your lives are going to be with this trash system! We have something extremely similar and it’s one of my favorite things about our house. Being a grown up is sooooo weird and yet soooo wonderful, right?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Shannon! You have no idea how much your trash can excitement is rubbing off on me. We must be all grown up.
xo
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Alison says
Love it!! My parents have one of those in there house but it fits two cans. I think its brilliant. I’m tempted to add an extra cabinet in my kitchen just to have that.
KR says
Does the whole setup feel pretty sturdy? I would worry that the trash can getting heavy could pull the screws up from the bottom of the cabinet and make the whole system tip over…
YoungHouseLove says
So far it has been awesome, but we haven’t filled it up with a bunch of heavy stuff yet. I think it’s designed for everyday use and heavier loads of trash though, so hopefully it’ll hold up well. Will report back if the whole thing flops out on the floor or something!
xo
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Karli-Rae says
Regarding the dremel thing – I have the 3000 rotary tool (plug-in) and I cut through 1/2″ rusted bolt on an old hand plow (one of the those with the bicycle wheel in the front) using a metal-cutting wheel. I only had about 1/4″ inch of clearance between the two parts I didn’t want to damage. Here is the link to the accessory: http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Accessories/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=EZ406
They have thin cutting wheels too so you don’t need as much distance from the item you DON’T want to cut.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip and the link!
xo
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Elizabeth says
This is a way better use of space than taking up half your pantry! I’m getting excited about all the extra storage you are going to have!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo!
xo
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Renee says
Feel like such a stalker asking this, but are you cutting down to one post a day now?
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Renee, you’re not a stalker! For the last three months we’ve actually just been posting twice on Mondays, and once the rest of the week (with 1-2 bonus posts over on Young House Life most weeks). We used to also post twice on Wednesdays, but shared a little update at the top of this post from November about that change :)
xo
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Destiny says
We installed this in our last and current home, and I absolutely love it. We have room on the side of the basket to store bags which is especially convenient. I buy inexpensive and small bathroom trash can sized bags to put potentially smelly trash in and we have never had a problem with smells or bugs. This is a good thing…
Kristena says
We have the same cabinet setup. We put two single trash cans in… One for the left and one for the right. We subbed the left trash and the right recycling. The kids even remember!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
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Barbara says
We had a similar distugsting and totally unusable trash compactor in our house so we took it out and made that into a space for our garbage and recycling using the same (but larger) system that you’ve installed in the cabinet. For the cabinet front we had taken down some uppers (like you did) and were able to jig together a door front to match (like you did on some doors in your old kitchen at the old house). It looks totally seemless and now we don’t have a big waste of space!
YoungHouseLove says
Really smart!
xo
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Rick @ GarageDoors-Denver.com says
Impeccably explained.
Garbage is just one of the those things that’s better kept hidden, especially if you just bought a second dog (*guilty). Look forward to giving this one a whirl.
Thanks for sharing,
~Rick
HeatherM says
What do you do with your recycling? Why don’t you install a second one of these on the other half of the cabinet for your recycling?
YoungHouseLove says
That could definitely work! We mentioned that we have a plan for recycling in the post, so we’ll share that as soon as it’s finished :)
xo
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