Wood Tilt Out Trash or Recycling Cabinet

Difficulty

Intermediate

Solid wood tilt out trash cabinet or recycling cabinet plans. You'll love the step by step instructions and diagrams, shopping list and cut list.

photo showing wood trash bin open and closed

wood trash bin cabinet painted red with door closed

wood trash bin cabinet painted red with door open

We love this wood tilt out trash bin because it's a cabinet with a counter top surface, while still providing easy access to the trash.

Updated Plans

This plan has been updated to be easier to build and use less materials. The original plans are still available here.

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Dimensions

Dimensions shown above. Fits trash can less than 16" wide x 22" high x 11-1/4" deep overall.

Preparation

Shopping List

2 - 1x12 @ 6 feet long

2 - 1x3 @ 6 feet long

2 - 1x2 @ 4 feet long

1 - 1/4" plywood or similar 24" x 14-1/4"

Narrow Hinges (the cheapo kind with flat headed screws)

Knob or Pull

Wire or toybox lid support hinge to keep the door from opening all the way to the floor

Common Materials

3/4 inch finish nails

1 1/4 inch finish nails

2 inch finish nails

1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws

120 grit sandpaper

Cut List

2 - 1x12 @ 29 1/4"

1 - 1x12 @ 18"

1 - 1x12 @ 16 1/2"

2 - 1x3 @ 16 1/2"

2 - 1x2 @ 18"

1 - 1x3 @ 18"

DOOR

2 - 1x3 @ 25"

2 - 1x3 @ 13"

1 - 1x12 @ 16"

1 - 1x12 @ 11-1/4" - cut at 45 degree angle

Tools

Instructions

Step 1

Use either a Kreg Jig or 2" screws or brad nails to build your box as shown above. The bottom shelf is 2 1/2" from the bottom, at the top. So leave 1 3/4" gap underneath the bottom shelf. Check for square.

Step 2

Once your box is done, attach back supports to keep the project square.

NOTE: If you would like to access your trash from the back to remove, hold off on placing the center back support until after you install the tilt out door.

Step 3

Attach front trim with brad nails to the front of the cabinet.

Step 4

Build the door frame with 1x3s using pocket holes.

Step 5

Drill pocket holes along bottom edge of 1x12 bottom piece.

Attach to the frame, inset 1" from edges, but held low 1/8" on bottom edge, with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Step 6

Cut the sides at a 45 degree angle.

Drill two pocket holes on sides.

Attach to door panel and to the bottom.

Step 7

Cut the 1/4" plywood panel to fit inside the door panel. Attach with 3/4" brad nails and glue.

Step 8

Hinge the door to the cabinet. For our tilt out trash cabinet/recycle center, we didn't even have to worry about a magnetic catch - the weight of the tilt out base keeps everything closed nicely.

However, you may need to install either hardware or a chain to keep the tilt out door from opening all the way and bruising your toes.

Project Type

Side and End Table Plans

Kitchen Island Plans

Kitchen Cabinet Plans

Cabinet Plans

Room

kitchen

Style

Farmhouse Furniture

Tradditional Style Furniture Plans

Rustic Furniture Plans

Comments

Ana White

Sun, 05/01/2011 - 21:27

Thank you!

So blessed to have such beautiful friends! I love posting, I love designing plans, but finding balance is really helping me be happier and create better plans. I so appreciate your support and your friendship. Thank you, thank you!

Lindsay (not verified)

Sun, 05/01/2011 - 21:34

no, thank YOU. :)

other btw... what is the best way to send you pictures of the dining room table i just completed? it is completely different from any of your plans, just something i kind of pieced together (not sure if you remember quite a bit back me asking about whether i could hire you as an online consultant to walk me through this project?!) but YOU my dear were my 110% inspiration so i feel a need to share a pic of it with you and THANK you... :)

rhonit

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 10:41

I recycle

last Jan 2010 I started recycling, I mean everything. I have two huge ugly black trash cans that sit in my laundry room, HATE them. But they work for their purpose, holding and getting trash to the recycling center. Still not what I want to look at everyday. And they are in the laundry room, not a long walk, but still. With two of these side-by-side actually in the kitchen would be great!

Thanks Ana for all you do, making time to blog is great! Keeping a promise to your child is priceless.

MrsD2008

Wed, 05/04/2011 - 10:42

I was stuck between buying a

I was stuck between buying a tilt out and a slide out recycling center a few months back. I am so glad I found your site (can't say that enough) and I am super sure my husband can alter this to make it a slide out for me. And, I won't have to pay $300 (X 6) for them!

Just FYI, I hope to build 6 in all--1 for cans (we live in Maine so we pay a deposit and when we return cans we get that back), 1 for cardboard, 1 for recyclables, 1 for cat food, 1 for dog food and 1 for trash. Then, hubby just needs to build my mudroom and I can store them all in there! LOL

Joe Ferraro (not verified)

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 15:11

WTG

Enjoy your children FIRST!. That is the most important thing for both you and your children. I have two daughters (31 & 16, two boys in between), and have made sure to be at all their "endeavors" over the years and would not trade it for the world. I will be waiting patiently for your video. I have been a carpenter for many years, and have been very impressed with your ideas. Nice to see different ways to do things, some of which I have tried. Good Luck to you and your family.

Shannon G. (not verified)

Wed, 05/18/2011 - 20:50

Us moms get it

Ana,

All of us Mom's get where you are coming from. As a mom with a full-time job, a beautiful two-year-old, and grad school, (and with no tools :) I can only dream about building all of the lovely things you post. (And I desperately want one of these!) Someday, I hope I can.

Much like you, I've made the promise to my husband, my daughter and myself that after I graduate next spring, I will not take on any new committees, new church groups, or "extracurriculars" for one year. I will devote that year to my hobbies and to my family, and my friends. After that, we'll re-evaluate.

I love your projects, and I love your enthusiasm for life. And life includes your family! Enjoy!

katiebananas

Mon, 06/06/2011 - 19:05

I love this! How would you

I love this! How would you modify it so that there were two tip out drawers one on top of the other? I want to use it a potatoes and onions bin.

Aubrey (not verified)

Fri, 07/15/2011 - 06:46

Even men enjoy this page!

I am from South Africa and just started with wood-working. I love the stuff I see on your page and can not wait to show my wife tonight. We have an old rustic farmhouse in the middle of town, so your stuff is spot-on!

We will be using your plans for major builds!

Kind regards
Aubrey Kloppers
ps - My wife and I do everything together, so she is going to love your stuff!

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 08/24/2011 - 16:36