Who knew a pedal bin could be so fancy?
3/11/2025
Translation: Elicia Payne
When you think of design highlights, a pedal bin for general waste wouldn’t be the first thing that comes to mind. But that’s exactly what some brands want to change. Yes, even waste can be hidden away in style. So why not make it eye-catching?
Waste bins are often the last things we think about when decorating our homes. But they can be so much more than a practical container. Why not combine style and function? The best models save you the effort of bending down thanks to pedals, and they look good at the same time. Whether in pastel shades or elegant matt black, in my opinion, the following bins for the bathroom or kitchen bring design into your everyday life.
1. In trending shades
With just three litres of volume, the Newicon model is perfect for small rooms – whether bathroom or kitchen. The cool thing about it? It comes in the trending butter yellow colour that gives your room a fresh touch. Cleaning is made easy by the metal body and removable plastic insert. The lid closes gently, yet is secure enough to keep odours inside. Thanks to the non-slip base, the bin stays put and your floors safe from scratches. What’s also great is that you get a sample pack of PerfectFit bin liners from Brabantia with it. If you’re not keen on yellow, there’s seven other colours to choose from.
Although there are many plus points, Newicon isn’t suitable for large households or rooms with a lot of waste, as the three-litre capacity is small. If you have more waste, it’s better to go for the larger 30 litre model. The removable plastic insert wears out more quickly with frequent use. But nobody sees that anyway.
Source: Barbantina
2. Structured look
The cosmetics bin from Zeller Present stands out from the crowd with its elegant grooves. With a capacity of three litres, it’s suitable for small waste such as cotton pads or cosmetic tissues. A combination of metal and plastic makes it solid and suitable for everyday use. It’s also available in grey and dusty pink.
But it’s missing a soft-close mechanism and the volume might be tight for larger households. The plastic elements also show signs of wear more quickly with intensive use.
3. Japanese aesthetics
With its Japanese-inspired design and soft-close mechanism, the four-litre Sensu pedal bin from Zone Denmark brings peace and harmony to your everyday life. Two circular details – on the lid and on the pedal – complete the overall look. If you can’t get enough of them, you’ll find a toilet brush and a soap dispenser in the same collection. The bucket’s also available in blackand white.
There’s just one catch: the plastic body is less robust than metal and, with a capacity of four litres, is more suitable for smaller rooms. It’s pretty, but more intended for discreet use.
Source: Zone Denmark
4. A showpiece
Metals are a popular interior trend – and quite rightly so. Whether chrome, stainless steel or aluminium: shiny surfaces bring a cool vibe into the room. The Simplehuman pedal bin (six-litre capacity) is the perfect example. With its brushed stainless steel finish, it has a high quality look and effortlessly blends into a bathroom or a kitchen. The semicircular shape saves space and the removable inner container, made of recycled plastic, is easier to clean. And thanks to the soft-closing mechanism, the lid closes gently – it doesn’t rattle and it’s easy to handle.
If this size isn’t enough for you, Simplehuman has plenty of other metal waste bins on offer. Side note: the stainless steel finish might look cool, but it needs a little care. To avoid fingerprints, dust and stains, you’ll need to give a regular wipe over.
5. Industrial look
The House Doctor bin is not just any old bin. With its elegant, barrel-like shape, it brings an industrial living style to any room. With a capacity of 24 litres, it offers enough space without being bulky. If you want a more elegant look, it’s also available in black.
But as is the case with designer pieces, it requires a little care to maintain its chic look.
Source: House Doctor
6. A bold appearance
Blomus’ Kua pedal bin in the colour «Cedar Wood» stands out from the crowd with its textured surface and fine stripes. It’s made from easy-care polyresin, durable and easy to clean. The inner elements i.e. the bucket and lid, are also made of plastic. With its compact dimensions, it fits into even the smallest corner and closes gently thanks to the soft-close function.
Although the polyresin material is durable, it can be susceptible to scratches or dents if used improperly. A damp cloth with a mild cleaning agent will do just the job when you want to clean the plastic surfaces.
7. Clean vibes
Say hello to your new bathroom MVP: Citadel has space for five litres of waste and comes with a sleek look and edgy features. A robust metal foot pedal and the quiet soft-close mechanism make it a handsome everyday hero. What’s nice is that the bin liners remain invisible – for a tidy overall look you want to show off. For the complete look, there’s the matching soap dispenser and the toilet brush.
Sure, 110 francs isn’t exactly cheap, but you’re getting quality for it. Not to forget: the metal lid will need a little more care than others.
Source: Eva Solo
8. Generous opening system
Small but mighty: with its compact size (six litres), Wesco’s Mini Master is ideal for anyone with limited space. Unlike most, its lid opens quietly like a sliding door. The removable plastic insert makes emptying and cleaning child’s play. Another bonus is that you can choose from many colours and find the model that perfectly suits your taste. Wesco also has something for larger households and more waste action – the Kickmaster holds 33 litres, a large throw-in and the same low-noise convenience.
One minus point: although the plastic insert is practical, it’s not as robust as the metal inserts in the larger models. Not to mention, the price is also at the higher end of the range.
9. Well-rounder
Last but not least, Hay’s Loop Bin fits into almost any room with its simple appearance. Thanks to the soft-close lid and foot pedal, there’s no rattling. It comes with a bag ring made of recycled ABS which holds the bin liner in place and hides it inside – clean and practical. Plus, it’s also available in a larger size (26 litres) and in a variety of colours.
Still, the look isn’t for everyone – it might look a little out of place in a rustic setting or very classic interiors. The bag ring made from recycled ABS is sustainable, but less durable than metal. And yes, Hay isn’t exactly cheap, so the price might put some off.
Source: Hay
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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