How People Are Turning Kitchen Trash Can Eyesores Into Works Of Art - Tasting Table

"We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. When it comes to kitchen design, you're in control. You can choose the cabinets, counters, floors, appliances, lighting, hardware, furnishings, and decor to achieve your dream kitchen. Especially lately, people are leaning into this kind of personalization. But there's one stubborn element that seems to just refuse to play along with all of this, and frustratingly, having said element is a non-negotiable: Your trash can."

"Lately, many people are saying "no." One of the latest kitchen design trends is DIY garbage can upgrades. TikTok has exploded with videos of people painting their trash cans. Suddenly, these unsightly receptacles fit right into every unique kitchen - even a sleek metal bin can be transformed into one of your favorite cottagecore kitchen items."

"The most common design seems to be stripes - it's a nice, clean look often balanced with pretty pastels, and people achieve straight stripes with tape, so you don't have to be a master artist to nail it. Of course, the sky's the limit, and people are getting creative. Fruit and flower motifs are popular, feeling at home in the kitchen. But some examples prove you don't have to think culinarily, like leopard print and flowers."

"This trend is most often done with stainless steel trash cans. If you try this, to ensure your paint job lasts, give your own garbage can a deep clean, then go over the entire surface with sandpaper. This makes the surface more adhesive for the paint, and also evens everything out. Then, use primer before you paint - TikTok user AtHomeWithAshley utili"

Kitchen personalization allows selection of cabinets, counters, floors, appliances, lighting, hardware, furnishings, and decor, but trash cans remain a stubborn, unattractive element. A growing trend replaces that mismatch with DIY garbage can upgrades, especially through painting. TikTok videos show people transforming stainless steel bins into styles that fit their kitchens, including cottagecore looks. Stripes are a common choice, often created with tape and balanced with pastel colors. Other motifs include fruit and flower designs, along with bolder patterns such as leopard print. For durability, the process typically involves deep cleaning, sanding to improve paint adhesion and smooth the surface, applying primer, and then painting.

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