Integrated Galley Trash
Trash on Queen of Hearts used to be a bucket shoved under the stairs. It got kicked around, it was always visible, and it never felt like a real solution. The goal was simple: get it out of sight inside the under-sink cabinet door, where it's easy to access but disappears when closed.
The Plan
The under-sink cabinet has a door that opens to a usable cavity, but the depth is limited and the door needs to close cleanly. A standard trash can wouldn't fit. The approach was to take a small rectangular plastic bin, modify its shape to fit the space, and mount it to the inside of the door on two metal brackets.
Templating
Before cutting anything, I made a cardboard template to work out the exact shape the can needed to take. The template was held in the opening to check fit and confirm the door would still close with the can mounted inside.
Cardboard template checking fit and confirming the door would still close.
Modifying the Can
With the template as a guide, the bin was cut to shape. The cut edges were fused back together using a heat gun, pressing the plastic together to seal the seams. This keeps the can water-tight enough for a trash liner and gives it a finished edge without any raw cuts.
Template on the can marking where to cut.
Mounting
Two metal brackets hold the can in place on the door: one at the bottom to support the weight, one at the top to keep it from swinging out when the door opens. The top bracket also controls how far the can sits proud of the door, which was the critical dimension for getting a clean close.
Installed and lined.
Shuts cleanly.