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Simple DIY: Trash Bags on a Roll

January 23, 2014 By Samantha

 (Hey there! Visiting from Pinterest or the Oprah.com / The Huffington Post feature? Welcome! Be sure to check out the blog for other awesome and simple organization posts too! 😉 And happy to say this is patent pending now!)

Each week I receive a lot of organization questions. However, a topic I’m questioned about most often is small space organizing. And nothing gets smaller (or tighter, darker, damper, blah-errr) than the space under your kitchen sink. Why do we always want to pack everything away into this tiny space? No matter how big or small your kitchen is, the space all of us have under our kitchen sink is pretty much the same.

Here’s the kitchen in my new house…

Yup, it’s tee-niny. I can’t wait to demo the space at some point. (read = when I win the lottery) You can count on seeing images of me, smiling, sledgehammer in hand. In the meantime, I’m making the most of this cozy little space…

Especially the space under my kitchen sink…

** Pay no attention to the fact some of my cabinet doors don’t close. That would be from re-painting the cabinets before move-in. 

This week I’m organizing this cabinet and tomorrow you’ll see the final result of my efforts. But today, I’m sharing a very easy DIY project that anyone of any skill level can tackle with success. Took me all of 60 minutes – maybe. This is one of those projects that will forever keep giving in return. It’s a game-changer, friends!

Most of us keep trash bag rolls under the kitchen sink. If you’re a Costco or big box store shopper, you know how cumbersome those oversized rolls can be. I was struggling to keep my rolls together and within reach in this tiny space. So I decided to DIY myself a little trash bag organizer. Check it…

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Disclosure.

Ack – can you even believe this?! So easy!

And the supply list couldn’t be simpler…

Materials Needed For

DIY Trash Bags on a Roll

  • 3/4″ Curtain Rod Brackets {I bought mine at Home Depot, but these from Amazon are pretty darn close…and they’ll be delivered to your home. You’ll need 2}
  • 5/8 x 48″ wooden dowel {You can grab these already pre-cut in a 12″ length. Or like me you can buy a 48″ length and cut it to your desired length. Mine are 17″ each.}
  • Rustoleum Flat White Spray Paint
  • Saw {For cutting dowel}
  • Hand Sander {For making the dowel edges smooth}
  • Measuring Tape
  • Screwdriver
  • Level
  • Pencil

After cutting my dowel down to size, I sanded the ends. This will keep the wood from catching on your trash bag roll…

 

Then I gave my dowels a shot of white spray paint. This step is optional…

While the dowels dried, I got to work hanging the brackets…

To do this, I just measured where I wanted each bracket to hang under the sink, marked my holes making sure it was level, and then drilled a little hole…

Then I screwed the brackets into place with a screwdriver…

I used 2 brackets sets because I wanted to hang both kitchen and oversized trash bags. Oh yea!…

Now that the brackets are hanging, time to insert the dowels through the trash bag rolls…

Yes, this is the one step that requires some patience…just a little. As you’re pushing the dowel through the middle, a couple bags will come out the other end. No biggie! Just pop those into the bottom of your trash can, under the bag you’re currently using. Just takes a little patience, but I promise you – the dowel will go through (as pictured) and they will hang beautifully!

Once that’s done, all you have to do is set the dowel inside the brackets…

I placed each set about 13″ apart. I wanted a little overhang to ensure the dowels wouldn’t bend. And they don’t. This is super secure and beyond easy to grab a trash bag right from the roll. Even though this space is tight, you can see there is still plenty of room under the rolls…

For just a few bucks and about an hour of time (that includes paint dry time) you have organized trash bags on a roll!

Love this!…

Tomorrow I’ll be sharing the full kitchen sink organization tour so make sure to come back!

Go DIY something and have a great day!

I linked up with Tatertots & Jello

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Comments

  1. Simply LKJ says

    January 23, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Genius!

    Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      January 25, 2014 at 11:57 pm

      Thank you!!

      Reply
    • Mary Chatman says

      July 17, 2016 at 6:25 am

      Thank you for the GREAT idea I definitely will be trying it

      Reply
  2. Kelly Palmer says

    January 24, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    This is awesome! We are going to Lowe's tonight so I will be picking up the materials I need to do this and installing it tomorrow. Thanks so much for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      January 25, 2014 at 11:57 pm

      Yay! Let me know how it turns out! I am loving it so much!!!!

      Reply
  3. Norma Caballero says

    January 24, 2014 at 3:20 pm

    This is genius! I was planning to organize under my kitchen sink this weekend, now I have a new idea to put to use. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      January 25, 2014 at 11:58 pm

      Yay! So happy to hear that! Let me know how it works out!

      Reply
  4. Michele Reynolds says

    January 25, 2014 at 3:47 am

    I love this idea!!! Storage is always a challenge in my kitchen. Pinning:)

    Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      January 25, 2014 at 11:58 pm

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  5. Crystal says

    January 25, 2014 at 4:06 am

    Pure Genius!!! This is awesome!! I will definitely be doing this and it will save me a lot of annoyance. Thanks so much!!

    Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      January 25, 2014 at 11:58 pm

      SO great to hear! Let me know how it works out for you!!

      Reply
  6. April R says

    January 25, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    That. is. GENIUS! is exactly what I was thinking, as I read this! Just brilliant!!! Thank you for sharing! I am definitely going to do this, as well! Thank you!!!!

    Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      January 25, 2014 at 11:59 pm

      Awe, thank you!! Let me know how it works out for you!!

      Reply
  7. Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says

    January 25, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    I just love this–shared it on 11 Magnolia Lane's Facebook page!

    Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      January 25, 2014 at 11:59 pm

      Thank you so much!!! xoxo

      Reply
  8. Stephen Wilkins says

    February 10, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    I am assuming you had to pull a few bags from the middle of the roll? I wasn't able to insert the roll easily.

    Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      February 17, 2014 at 8:49 pm

      No, I didn't have to remove any bags from the middle of the roll. My trash bag rolls have some give in them in the center. It's those big rolls from costco. Did you get it to work? If so, I'd love to see a pic!!!

      Reply
  9. Clay Delgado says

    April 7, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    Nice! That is indeed a great way to store your garbage bags! I do agree with you. The space underneath the sink is always some sort of a black hole for any home as there are lots of unorganized chaos going on in there. Haha! This is a great organizing idea. Thanks for sharing!
    Clay Delgado

    Reply
  10. SB says

    August 8, 2014 at 2:57 am

    Could you please let me know the brand name for these trash bags. I love the idea but mine comes folder individually.

    Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      August 8, 2014 at 3:15 am

      I buy our trash bags at a bulk store – Costco. They come in a box with 2 rolls. The dowel fits through the middle of the roll perfectly.

      Reply
  11. magdalena valdes says

    October 4, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    Genius .good ideas

    Reply
  12. BarbaraAnn says

    January 14, 2015 at 5:22 am

    This works for so many things. You have a great mind. Good luck on the patent pending.

    Reply
  13. Paola Barreto says

    February 20, 2015 at 3:48 am

    love your creativity!! moving next wknd going to try this in my new tiny kitchen apartment. Need all the ideas I can get!

    Reply
  14. Suslee says

    February 25, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    Well, I have some rod holders that I removed so I could hang a different kind of rod. And I have some CPVC pipe left over from replacing pipe broken in the Vortex of last year. So, my hanger was actually free. Add your free tutorial, and my total out of pocket is $00.00. Here's my happy face: 🙂

    Reply
    • Dottie Cummings says

      June 18, 2016 at 2:13 pm

      YUP !!! I have the same good problem. Everything needed, I had amongst all the rest of my “useful junk” Total cost….$0.00

      Reply
  15. Kathleen says

    March 31, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    I love this idea and I have hung the rod holders and now I cannot get the dowel through the roll of bags. Any suggestions as I need to do this…what a space saver…I already submitted a post but don't know if you rec'd it or not.

    Reply
    • Joyce Taylor says

      July 18, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      That looked like the hard part to me, too. Her pictures certainly gloss over that little detail!!

      Reply
    • Samanthaadmin says

      July 19, 2015 at 12:38 am

      Kathleen (and Joyce),

      Getting the dowel through the roll is easy but does take some patience. I removed a few from the center if the roll was wound too tight. Some of my Costco rolls aren't right in the middle, some are. The rod being pushed through also helps to push a few bags out through the other end, if that makes sense. I also tried to loosen the hole in the middle using my fingers, but the dowel works well to push some bags out on the other end. Maybe I should make a video! 🙂

      I'm here to help – always!

      xo,
      Sam

      Reply
  16. Stephanie says

    July 17, 2015 at 2:57 am

    Love it!! Once you mentioned curtain rod hangers I was jumped for joy (in my head) at how clever you were, "Oh,oh, oh I know where she is going with this!!" I am not sure my undersink area is the best place in my kitchen for this, but my pantry door would be perfect. Add to it that I am training my son to be the 'trash-taker-outer' which also means putting in a new bag. This is so much better than 'large box taking up shelf space' that we currently have going on.

    Reply
  17. Kristal Stygler says

    July 19, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    Great Idea and space saver!!! Thank you for sharing the idea and post.

    Reply
  18. Kel says

    August 9, 2015 at 1:03 am

    Because the dowels aren't held in place horizontally, do they ever come off the holders?

    Reply
  19. Unknown says

    August 27, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    Holy Cow! I love it! We have been getting our trash bags on a roll for the last few years from my son's fundraiser. I have looked all over for ideas to hang, always coming up with a "no fit" due to the length of the roll! PERFECT! (and I haven't even tried it yet….know it will work!) Thank you, thank you and thank you!

    Reply
  20. Lily says

    October 8, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    Hello. I’m curious to know if the garbage bags roll on the dowel rod when you pull or does the dowel roll on the the brackets? If its rolling on the brackets, is the paint coming off the dowel rod every time you pull a new bag off? Also, my roll of bags were really heavy. Was this an issue for you each time you put a new roll on the rod?

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      October 8, 2015 at 2:31 pm

      Hi! When I pull a trash bag off the roll, the dowel spins around in the brackets. The paint has not come off my dowels. Yes, the rolls are heavy which is why I opted for a sturdier dowel that could manage the weight. Let me know if you have other questions! I’d love to see your system when you’re done too!! 🙂

      xo,
      Sam

      Reply
  21. Nancy says

    October 26, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    You have no idea the time I waste searching for the black trash bags! Are they in the garage, the shed, under the sink? Now I’ll know exactly where they are! Thank you.

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      October 27, 2015 at 9:21 am

      Awe, so great!! Thank you!!!

      xo,
      Sam

      Reply
  22. Doreen @ Altered Artworks says

    January 21, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    Ahhh-brilliant DIY! Pinned this on my “Great Tips” board, and hope to get this done over the weekend.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      January 21, 2016 at 7:34 pm

      So great!! Please let me know how it works out!!

      xo,
      Sam

      Reply
  23. Laurie says

    February 29, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    When we get our own place, I will definetley use this idea. I had a similar idea but couldn’t get the dowel thru. So for our rental I got one of those pants hanger with the cardboard center, Left about an inch or so on either end and cut the middle out. Then I just pushed the cardboard ends in as far as they go and hung it up. It actually works really good.

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 29, 2016 at 9:10 pm

      Great idea!! Love it and thank you so much for sharing!

      xo,
      Sam

      Reply
  24. monica rivera says

    March 9, 2016 at 7:48 am

    so Amazingly clever Loved it . !!!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      March 9, 2016 at 2:32 pm

      Awe, thank you!!

      xo,
      Sam

      Reply
  25. Bailee McSwain says

    March 17, 2016 at 8:50 am

    Where did you get the clear stackable drawers in the picture? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      March 17, 2016 at 9:10 am

      Hi Bailee!

      Those can be found (click this link) at The Container Store! One of my favorites and they come in a variety of sizes.

      xo,
      Sam

      Reply
  26. Megan says

    April 8, 2016 at 11:54 am

    This is SO clever! Would it be okay if I linked it my newsletter for smart cabinet DIY projects?

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      April 9, 2016 at 5:52 pm

      Hi Megan,

      Yes, you’re welcome to…as long as you link back to it here, that’s totally fine! Thank you for asking AND sharing!!

      xoxo,
      Sam

      Reply
  27. Latrice says

    September 22, 2016 at 3:15 am

    This was a great idea! In the picture, there is an organization board on the cabinet door holding the wash gloves?. What is that?

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      September 22, 2016 at 10:52 am

      Thank you! It’s the Martha Stewart Wall Manager – I hung it using Command Adhesive. It’s intended for an office space…but I like to go rogue with my organizing products and use them in all sorts of ways!

      xx,
      Sam

      Reply
  28. Brenda says

    October 16, 2016 at 5:29 am

    I hope you win the lottery and remodel your kitchen. I’ve never seen such a phenomenal waste of space as there is at your cabinet with the attached bar top. Unless the picture is very skewed, it appears the bar top is touching the brick wall.

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      October 16, 2016 at 12:01 pm

      Exactly! It does! And I’m still playing that lottery! haha!

      xx,
      Sam

      Reply
  29. Alma says

    November 1, 2016 at 8:52 am

    This is awesome. New to pinterest and come across this idea. I’ll have to keep this post and put it on my next project list. Thanks…

    Reply
  30. Tammy says

    January 30, 2017 at 9:53 am

    These are great ideas, but for myself, i just put the entire roll of trash bags in the bottom of my empty trash can. Then, i put a fresh one in like you normally would!
    (* hint, i also put my finger theough the top of the fresh bag, right below the “draw string”.. this lets the air out of the fresh bag so its not full of air when it is first changed)
    Next time you take the trash out, the new bags are RIGHT THERE! I also do this with plastic grocery bags in the bathrooms, office, ect. No need to

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      January 30, 2017 at 1:22 pm

      Oh yes – this is a great idea! And something I do myself on occasion. But there are many many trash bags that end up leaking and then the entire roll sitting beneath gets dirty. I’ve seen this time and again in my client’s homes while working.

      Thank you for sharing your suggestions!!

      xx,
      Sam

      Reply
  31. Cory Colson says

    March 6, 2017 at 7:39 am

    OMG OMG OMG OMG I had this idea in my head and you provided everything I needed! Woo hoo! Heading to Lowe’s now. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! A++++++++++++++++++!!!!!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      March 6, 2017 at 8:39 am

      Awe, so glad I was able to help you!!! Please let me know how it turns out. I’m actually in works to develop the product so….could be something you could buy at some point. Yay!

      xx,
      Sam

      Reply
  32. Yvette Spicer says

    July 11, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    Wonderful idea, but I live in a mobile home – actually an old “Trailer House” – and there are no walls between the cabinets to hang anything on … I love the idea and my mind is now working on how I could do something similar … just not sure about it … LOL

    Reply
  33. Sal says

    August 10, 2017 at 9:24 am

    This is nice and a good way to free up space on the floor of the cabinet. I went one step further. You know those bags you pushed through threading the dowel and then put under the current bag in your trash can? Well, since I only use my kitchen bags in my kitchen trash can I just threw the whole roll into the bottom of the trash can. As I take one out I just reach inside and pull the next one into place. I buy my bags at Costco so I end up with 2 giant rolls. I keep the other in the garage and if I need a spare bag I can always grab it from there. You could probably put both in the bottom of the trash can for that matter. Yes, it takes up space (especially if you put 2 down there) but my trash can is pretty tall and I don’t really lose that much space. I always know where they are and they are always at hand when I pull the used one out.

    Reply
  34. Amy says

    September 7, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    Hi..so I followed this to a T and while it’s all installed, I can’t seem to get my dowel in there so I still wasn’t able to enjoy this genius idea…

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      September 9, 2017 at 1:40 pm

      Hi!

      Hmmmmm, wonder why it isn’t going through for you?? Mine does go through and some bags are pushed through the middle in the process, but it does go in. Have you tried to loosen the middle of the bags just a little bit so the dowel goes in? Maybe I should share a video!

      xx,
      Sam

      Reply
  35. Shelana Ferris says

    October 12, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    I love this idea. Because of my garbage disposal and dishwasher it won’t work under my kitchen sink but I have the perfect spot for it in my laundry room. which is right off my kitchen. You have to walk right past when you come back from taking the trash out so it’s not out of the way at all. My 12 year old daughter, who takes the trash out the most besides her Dad, saw this and said, “Let’s put this on our to do list for the weekend.”

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      October 20, 2017 at 8:55 am

      Awe, so great! Glad this idea will work – please let me know if you complete the project because I’d love to see it!

      xoxo,
      Sam

      Reply
  36. Nini says

    April 16, 2018 at 1:00 pm

    One thing…I would put a little ‘cap’ at each end. Keeps the rod from slipping off? Also, I would maybe use another kind of thingy that holds the rod, because the rod could pop up & out. Any of this make sense? Just thinking it thru & talking out loud!
    AWESOME idea!

    Reply
  37. Wimpybags says

    April 17, 2018 at 6:15 am

    Tho I’ll be doing this this morning please share with me some other diy’s you’ve done in ur teeny tiny kitchen because I too have a teeny tiny gallery kitchen, I can’t stand it but I’d like to have new found respect for it. Have you done storage under ur cabinets yet? Waiting with baited breath.

    Reply
  38. Debbie Blochlinger says

    November 4, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    love this idea. I’ve been trying to organize my garage and was trying to come up with a way to hang my roll trashbag….This is simple and do-able! Thanks for the idea.

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      November 4, 2018 at 4:59 pm

      You’re welcome!!

      xx,
      Sam

      Reply

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