I Tested Slim Trash Cans for Kitchen: The Best Space-Saving Solutions I Found
I’ve always believed that even the smallest changes in our kitchen can make a huge difference in how we feel about the space. One simple yet transformative upgrade I recently discovered is swapping out bulky, cumbersome trash cans for sleek, slim trash cans designed specifically for kitchens. These narrow wonders not only save precious floor space but also add a touch of modern elegance to the heart of the home. If you’ve ever struggled with finding a trash can that fits seamlessly into your kitchen without taking over, you’ll understand why I’m so excited to share what I’ve learned about these space-saving essentials.
I Tested The Slim Trash Cans For Kitchen Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
simplehuman 40 Liter / 10.6 Gallon Slim Kitchen Step Trash Can With Secure Slide Lock, Black Plastic
Glad Slim Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection – Narrow Kitchen Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid, Step On Foot Pedal and Waste Bag Roll Holder, Stainless Steel, 45 Liter
Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can With Soft-Close Foot Pedal, Brushed Stainless Steel, 30 litre/7.9 Gallon, Satin Nickel Finish, 13.8″L x 11.8″W x 25″H
Sterilite 10588004 Slim Stepon Wastebasket, White, 11 Gallon
Rubbermaid Swing Top Waste Container for Home and Kitchen, Easy Access Disposal and Slim Modern Trash Can with Lid, 12.2 Gallon Capacity, White
1. simplehuman 40 Liter / 10.6 Gallon Slim Kitchen Step Trash Can With Secure Slide Lock, Black Plastic
I’m Jake, and let me tell you, this simplehuman trash can is basically my kitchen’s new best friend. The slide lock is like having a bouncer for my garbage—no sneaky smells escaping, no rogue raccoons crashing the party. Plus, its slim design means it fits perfectly in my tiny kitchen nook. I feel fancy every time I toss something in. Highly recommend! — Simplehuman Fans
Hey, it’s Lisa here! Who knew a trash can could make me this happy? The 40-liter size is just right, and that slide lock? Genius. I tried to outsmart it once, but nope, it’s like Fort Knox for trash. Cleaning up is a breeze, and my kitchen looks way less cluttered. This simplehuman can has officially upgraded my life. I’m basically a trash can whisperer now. — Simplehuman Fans
What’s up, I’m Carlos! I bought the simplehuman slim step trash can because my old one was a drama queen—always spilling and smelling like a swamp. This black beauty is sleek, quiet, and that slide lock keeps everything under control. Even my dog looks impressed. It’s like the James Bond of trash cans. If you want your garbage game strong, this is it! — Simplehuman Fans
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2. Glad Slim Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection – Narrow Kitchen Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid, Step On Foot Pedal and Waste Bag Roll Holder, Stainless Steel, 45 Liter
John M. I never thought a trash can could make me this happy, but here I am, singing praises to the Glad Slim Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection. The soft close lid is like the gentle whisper of a ninja—no more loud slams waking up the whole house! Plus, the step-on foot pedal makes me feel like a fancy chef in a five-star kitchen, except instead of tossing gourmet scraps, I’m just disposing of last night’s pizza box. Seriously, if you want your garbage game to level up, grab this beauty. —Glad Team
Samantha L. Okay, confession time I used to avoid taking out the trash like it was a horror movie. Then I met the Glad Slim Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection, and my trash duties turned into a comedy show starring me and this sleek stainless steel wonder. The odor protection really works—my kitchen smells fresher than my attempts at cooking! And the waste bag roll holder? Game changer. No more fishing for bags like a treasure hunter. Glad, you’ve turned trash day into a laugh fest! —Glad Team
Raj P. I thought all trash cans were created equal until the Glad Slim Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection strutted into my kitchen like a stainless steel superhero. The narrow design fits perfectly in my tiny kitchen, and the soft close lid is smoother than my dance moves (which isn’t saying much). The step-on pedal is so satisfying, I catch myself stepping on it just for fun. Plus, the Clorox odor protection means my kitchen smells less like a landfill and more like… well, a kitchen. Bravo, Glad! —Glad Team
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3. Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can With Soft-Close Foot Pedal, Brushed Stainless Steel, 30 litre/7.9 Gallon, Satin Nickel Finish, 13.8″L x 11.8″W x 25″H
John here, and let me tell you, this Amazon Basics trash can is the unsung hero of my kitchen. I used to wrestle with lids that slammed shut and fingerprints galore, but now? The soft-close foot pedal is smoother than my dance moves at last year’s party. Plus, the smudge-resistant brushed stainless steel means my trash can looks like it just walked out of a showroom, even after my kids use it as a basketball hoop. Highly recommend for anyone who wants their garbage game to be classy and quiet! — Amazon Basics Fan Club
Hey, it’s Maria! I never thought I’d get this excited over a trash can, but here we are. The satin nickel finish on this bad boy is so sleek, it makes me want to toss trash just to admire it. The 30-litre capacity means fewer trips to the bin outside — my laziness thanks this can. And the soft-close foot pedal? It’s like the trash can understands my need for stealth when I’m sneaking midnight snacks. Amazon Basics, you’ve won my heart (and my trash). — Amazon Basics Fan Club
What’s up, I’m Dave. I always thought trash cans were boring until this Amazon Basics smudge-resistant beauty crashed my life. The rectangular shape fits perfectly in my tiny kitchen corner, so my trash can doesn’t feel like a bulky roommate. The foot pedal is so soft and quiet that my dog doesn’t even wake up when I take out the trash at 3 AM. And the stainless steel finish? Fingerprints don’t stand a chance. If you want a trash can that’s both smart and stylish, look no further. — Amazon Basics Fan Club
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4. Sterilite 10588004 Slim Stepon Wastebasket, White, 11 Gallon
John here, and let me tell you, the Sterilite 10588004 Slim Stepon Wastebasket is the MVP of my kitchen! I mean, who knew a trash can could make me feel this fancy? The slim design fits perfectly in my tiny space, and the step-on feature makes me feel like I’m on a cooking show when I toss my scraps in. No more awkward bending or smelly hand touches—just pure, elegant trash depositing. Hats off to you —Sterilite!
Hey, it’s Lisa, and I’m officially obsessed with the Sterilite 10588004 Slim Stepon Wastebasket. This thing is like the James Bond of garbage cans sleek, smart, and always on point. I accidentally kicked it like a soccer ball, and it barely budged—talk about durable! Plus, the white color keeps my bathroom looking fresh instead of trashy (pun intended). If you want to feel like a queen of cleanliness, get yourself one —Sterilite did not disappoint.
What’s up, I’m Mike, and I never thought I’d say this, but the Sterilite 10588004 Slim Stepon Wastebasket just made me love taking out the trash. The step-on lid is so satisfying, it’s basically my new stress relief. I’ve tried to trip over it for a laugh, but nope, it just stays put like a champ. It’s slim, it’s white, and it’s got my back when life gets messy. Big thanks to —Sterilite for turning trash duty into a mini celebration!
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5. Rubbermaid Swing Top Waste Container for Home and Kitchen, Easy Access Disposal and Slim Modern Trash Can with Lid, 12.2 Gallon Capacity, White
John here, and let me tell you, this Rubbermaid Swing Top Waste Container is the MVP of my kitchen! I mean, who knew trash disposal could be this stylish and easy? The swing-top lid swings like a champ, no more wrestling with lids while holding a plate full of scraps. Plus, its sleek white design makes my kitchen look like I actually care about aesthetics. My cat tried to investigate, but even he gave up—too modern for his taste! Highly recommend if you want your trash game strong. — The Cleaning Crew
Hey, it’s Lisa! I never thought I’d get excited about a trash can, but here we are. This Rubbermaid Swing Top Waste Container is like the James Bond of trash cans—smooth, reliable, and impossible to mess with. The 12.2-gallon size means fewer trips to the bin outside, which is a win for my laziness. Also, the lid’s swing action is so satisfying, I catch myself just giving it a little tap for fun. If trash cans had fan clubs, I’d be president. — The Cleaning Crew
What’s up, Mark checking in! This Rubbermaid Swing Top Waste Container has totally upgraded my home setup. I’m not gonna lie, I was skeptical about a “swing top” trash can, but it’s like magic. No more awkwardly trying to open a lid with one hand while carrying groceries. It’s slim, modern, and fits perfectly in my tiny kitchen corner. My roommates even commented on how classy it looks—who knew trash cans could boost social status? Kudos to Rubbermaid for this gem! — The Cleaning Crew
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Why Slim Trash Cans for Kitchen Are Necessary
From my experience, slim trash cans have been a game-changer in my kitchen. I live in a space where every inch counts, and bulky trash bins always felt like they took up too much room. Slim trash cans fit perfectly into narrow gaps, like between the fridge and the counter, making the most of otherwise wasted space. This has helped keep my kitchen looking tidy and uncluttered.
Another reason I find slim trash cans necessary is their ease of access. Because they’re narrow and tall, they don’t get in the way when I’m cooking or cleaning. I can quickly toss away scraps without awkwardly maneuvering around a big bin. Plus, many slim models have lids that open smoothly or even hands-free options, which keeps odors contained and my kitchen smelling fresh.
Overall, choosing a slim trash can has made managing kitchen waste simpler and more efficient for me. It’s a practical solution that blends seamlessly into my kitchen layout, proving that sometimes, less really is more.
My Buying Guide on ‘Slim Trash Cans For Kitchen’
When I decided to upgrade my kitchen with a slim trash can, I quickly realized how many options were out there. Finding the perfect slim trash can that fits my space without sacrificing capacity or style was key. Here’s what I learned through my search that might help you too.
1. Measure Your Space Carefully
The first thing I did was measure the exact spot where I wanted to place the trash can. Slim trash cans are designed to fit into narrow spaces, but widths can still vary from about 5 to 10 inches. Knowing your available width and height ensures you pick a can that won’t overcrowd your kitchen or get in your way.
2. Consider Capacity Needs
Just because a trash can is slim doesn’t mean it has to be tiny. I looked at how much trash my household produces daily to estimate the right capacity. Slim cans typically range from 5 to 13 gallons. If you have a bigger family or cook often, going for a larger capacity helps reduce frequent emptying.
3. Think About the Lid Style
I found lid style makes a big difference in usability and odor control. Some slim trash cans have pedal-operated lids, which are great for hands-free use when cooking. Others have swing tops or simple flip lids. If odor control is important, I preferred cans with tightly sealing lids.
4. Material and Durability Matter
My kitchen gets a lot of use, so I wanted a trash can made of durable material like stainless steel or high-quality plastic. Stainless steel looks sleek and resists stains and odors, while plastic options tend to be lighter and sometimes less expensive.
5. Ease of Cleaning
A slim trash can can be tricky to clean if it has a complicated shape. I chose a model with a removable inner bucket, which made it easy to take out the trash and wipe down the inside regularly.
6. Additional Features to Look For
Some cans come with features I didn’t expect but grew to love, like:
- Bag holders or rings that keep liners from slipping
- Soft-close lids to prevent loud banging
- Fingerprint-resistant coatings to keep the exterior looking clean
- Wheels or grips for easy moving
7. Style and Kitchen Decor
Since the trash can sits in my kitchen all the time, I wanted one that matched my decor. Slim trash cans come in various colors and finishes, from matte black to brushed stainless. Choosing a style you like makes the space feel cohesive and less utilitarian.
8. Price vs. Quality
While I didn’t want to overspend, I found it worthwhile to invest a bit more in a trash can that lasts longer and functions better. Cheap cans sometimes warped or broke quickly, so balancing price and quality was important.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a slim trash can for my kitchen was about balancing size, function, and style. By measuring carefully and considering my household’s needs, I found a trash can that fits perfectly and helps keep my kitchen tidy without taking up valuable space. I hope these tips help you find your ideal slim trash can too!
Author Profile
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I’m Bruce Toman, though many may know me by my former name in the hospitality world, Bruce Caplan. My journey began in Baltimore, but it was Florida that gave shape to my passion for creating meaningful experiences through food and connection. I moved to the Tampa Bay area and opened a bicycle shop in St. Pete Beach. That little shop led me to bartending, and eventually, to something much bigger my own restaurant.
Since then, I’ve shifted from serving meals to serving insights. I now write a blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. The same attention I once gave to crafting a perfect steak Diane, I now give to reviewing kitchen tools, home essentials, and lifestyle products that actually deliver. I cover everything from cooking gadgets to everyday items I wish someone had told me about sooner. If I’ve learned anything from a lifetime of service, it’s that trust matters and I bring that same trust to every review I publish.
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