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5 ideas to hide the trash can and other messes in the kitchen traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Discover practical ideas to make the kitchen more organized, hiding the trash can, appliances, and clutter without giving up functionality traduzido por: OPENROUTER

By CASACOR Publisher

Submitted at May 20, 2026, 4:00 PM

08 min de leitura
Lixeira cozinha

Lixeira cozinha (Liudmila Chernetska/iStock/Divulgação)

The kitchen is one of the most used projects in the house — and, precisely for this reason, it can also become one of the most susceptible to clutter. Accumulated bags, visible trash cans, small appliances on the countertop, and utensils without a defined place can compromise not only the aesthetics, but also the practicality of everyday life.

Atem House - Verso e Prosa Loft. CASACOR Paraná 2026 project. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Atem House - Loft Verso e Prosa. O loft integrado organiza dormitório, estar, cozinha e banheiro de forma contínua. Madeira em diferentes tonalidades, piso amadeirado e paredes em bege predominam na composição. A divisão entre os ambientes é feita por estante vazada em marcenaria. A cozinha reúne bancada clara, marcenaria em madeira e revestimento em tom mostarda com piso geométrico. O banheiro segue a mesma linguagem, com gabinete em madeira com palhinha, metais dourados e box em vidro canelado. (Matheus Kaplun/Divulgação)

In well-planned projects, organization goes beyond simply storing everything: it involves creating smart solutions so that necessary items remain accessible, but discreet. The good news is that there are several ways to hide these elements without losing functionality, whether in large or compact kitchens. With strategic joinery, organizing accessories, and a few simple adaptations, it is possible to keep the space visually cleaner and more elegant. Check out some ideas to disguise the trash can and other kitchen "messes" in a practical and efficient way.

Bet on built-in trash cans


built_in_trash_can traduzido por: OPENROUTER

(Cozix/Divulgação)

Hiding the trash can is a practical solution to make the kitchen more organized and visually cleaner. The most common model is the one built into the cabinet under the sink, usually in drawers or sliding systems that make daily use easier. Another modern option are the trash cans built into the countertop or into the sink itself, with openings that allow small waste to be discarded directly into a hidden compartment. In addition to being discreet, these solutions help optimize space and bring more practicality to the routine.

Use doors to hide small appliances


160 sqm apartment with a house feel green pink palette neons up3 architecture decoration green and pink kitchen cabinet metalwork wood table chair traduzido por: OPENROUTER

(Fotos: Denilson Machado, do MCA Estudio/Produção visual: Lu Algarte/Divulgação)

Blender, coffee maker, air fryer, toaster… although very useful, these appliances can make the countertop look cluttered when they are exposed all the time. A good idea is to create closed niches with retractable doors or "garage cabinet" type cabinets, which hide appliances when not in use. This way, they remain accessible, but visually disappear in everyday life. This strategy is especially interesting for those who like a kitchen with a more minimalist aesthetic or for integrated projects, where countertop clutter ends up being more evident.

Invest in panels or cabinets to hide the integrated service area


Kitchen hides inside the cabinet in this 35 sqm apartment, Project by Ikeda Arquitetura. In the photo, kitchen hidden behind the cabinet. traduzido por: OPENROUTER

(Luiza Schreier/Divulgação)

In compact apartments, it is common for the kitchen to be connected to the laundry room, which can leave brooms, cleaning products, and tanks exposed. To solve this, sliding panels, sliding doors, or tall cabinets can visually separate the projects without compromising circulation. In addition to hiding the clutter, this solution helps create a sense of aesthetic continuity in the project. In some cases, the panel can even follow the same finish as the kitchen cabinets, making the division almost imperceptible.

Organize bags, cloths, and utensils in internal compartments


kitchen drawer traduzido por: OPENROUTER

(Freepik/Divulgação)

Not all clutter is in plain sight — often, it builds up inside cabinets. Tangled plastic bags, disorganized dish towels, and scattered utensils make daily routines harder and end up spilling onto the countertop. Internal dividers, organizing baskets, door-mounted holders, and compartmentalized drawers help give each item its proper place. With this internal organization, the kitchen works better and it becomes much easier to maintain a sense of order in daily life, avoiding that improvised look.

Create discreet solutions to hide frequently used items


Kitchen cabinet traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Armário de cozinha (towfiqu ahamed/IStock/Divulgação)

Not everything can be fully stored away, but that doesn't mean it has to look messy. Organizing trays, decorative boxes, niches with tilt-up doors, and wide drawers can help concentrate everyday items — such as spices, coffee capsules, medicines, or small utensils — in a more discreet way. The idea is to prevent each object from taking up a corner of the countertop. By gathering these items into planned solutions or specific organizers, the kitchen gains a more harmonious and functional look, without losing practicality for daily routines.

CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content-creating agent, developed by CASACOR's Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Chrys Hadrian.

traduzido por: OPENROUTER