How to Build a Hidden Trash Can Cabinet

Hide the unsightly trash bin with a stylish, seamless cabinet.

Loading Video...

DIY Hidden Trash Can Cabinet

04:18

Dan Faires' easy-to-make cabinet keeps your unattractive trash can out of sight.

By: Dan Faires

Follow Dan on:

Related To:

a cabinet with a door that opens to a hidden trash can

Trash Can Cabinet

Make a cabinet to hide your unsightly trash can.

From: Danmade

Materials and Tools:

(2) 18” x 6’ x 3/4” edge-glued panels
(1) box 1-1/4” finish nails
saw
wood glue
wood filler
220-grit sandpaper
stain or paint
clear matte polyurethane
(1) cabinet pull or knob
(1) 12” continous piano hinge
drill
nail gun

Measure and Cut All Wood

Measure and cut the edge-glued panels. For the door, measure 17-1/2" x 25 1/4", measure 17-1/4" x 10" for the interior bottom, measure 4" x 10" for the supports, measure 13" x 27" for the sides and 13" x 17-3/4" for the top and bottom.

Boyte Creative

Measure and draw a line on a wood piece to make a cabinet.

Boyte Creative

Boyte Creative

Measure Wood

Measure wood piece at 25 inches.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Measure and Mark Wood Piece

Measure and draw a line on a wood piece to make a cabinet.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Cut Wood

Cut wood to make a trash can cabinet.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Build Cabinet Frame

Dab a little glue on the edges of the wood pieces to secure the top, bottom and sides together. Nail everything together. Take scrap pieces of wood, and cut to 17-3/4” for the back of the cabinet. Attach with glue and nails.

Apply glue to wood pieces to create cabinet base.

Boyte Creative

Assemble cabinet frame using wood glue and a nail gun

Boyte Creative

Create cabinet frame by attaching wood pieces using a nail gun.

Boyte Creative

Boyte Creative

Attach cabinet backing using a nail gun.

Boyte Creative

Apply Glue

Apply glue to wood pieces to create cabinet base.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Assemble Cabinet Frame

Assemble cabinet frame using wood glue and a nail gun

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Create Cabinet Frame

Create cabinet frame by attaching wood pieces using a nail gun.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Attach Back Supports

Attach back supports to cabinet frame.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Attach Backing

Attach cabinet backing using a nail gun.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Assemble Door

Take the 17-1/2" piece, and attach it flush with the bottom of the door piece with glue and nails. Attach the tray supports (4” x 10” pieces) to each side. Fill all holes with wood filler, and allow everything to dry for 24 hours.

Boyte Creative

Boyte Creative

Attach Tray Supports

Attach tray supports to cabinet door.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Attach Tray Supports

Attach tray supports to cabinet door.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Apply Wood Filler

Apply wood filler to all nail holes.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Sand and Stain

Use 220-grit sandpaper to sand all sides of the cabinet until smooth, and wipe everything down with a damp cloth. Apply stain and wipe excess with a rag to allow grain to show through. Let dry. Apply clear polyurethane, and let dry.

Sand cabinet frame using 220-grit paper.

Boyte Creative

Apply stain to the cabinet using a paintbrush.

Boyte Creative

Wipe excess stain from cabinet to allow wood grain to show through.

Boyte Creative

Boyte Creative

Sand Cabinet Frame

Sand cabinet frame using 220-grit paper.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Apply Stain

Apply stain to the cabinet using a paintbrush.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Wipe Excess Stain

Wipe excess stain from cabinet to allow wood grain to show through.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Apply Polyurethane

Apply polyurethane to cabinet.

Photo By: Boyte Creative

Attach Hinge

Attach the piano hinge to the bottom of the door. Attach the door to the cabinet, making sure the bevel sits flush with the edge of the cabinet. Add a chain to prevent the door from swinging all the way open.