I'm imagining the day when one of the dishwashers has to be replaced, but the other is still going strong. The same model or color is no longer available. What do you do? Replace both? Have non-matching dishwashers? That may seem a silly question but when the time comes, you'll agonize and come here to ask.

I am also imagining someone putting a dirty dish in the clean dishwasher. We have only one dw and that happens. So every morning while the English muffin is in the toaster, I empty the DW. By the time the muffin is golden, the dishes are put away and the cat's breakfast dish is the first in the empty DW.

Yippee! Someone other than me saying, "Bigger isn't better! Plan small and efficient, think it through -- don't just tack on more space." Several posters have listed reasons why duplicates and oversized items aren't all they're cracked up to be.

Back to the original question:

Thought 1: Again, an ideal kitchen would have a trash chute (and a recycling chute) leading straight outside. This isn't a common thing, but here's a couple pictures -- the trash could scoot straight outside to the large bin, which might need protection outside from animals:

Thought 2: A topic that hasn't been brought up: Taking the trash out is a problem -- but it's not going away. Do you have an easy pathway between the kitchen and the outdoor cans? Taking out the trash is easier if you don't have to walk through the family room (and we all know that occasionally the trash bag leaks). A related topic: Where will you keep your outside cans? Do you have a straight, easy path to the street, making it easy to wheel your trash out each week?

Thought 3: If you have 2-3 trash cans in the kitchen, that's 2-3 cans that must be emptied. In our old house we had two large bathrooms, and two cans were necessary for each bathroom. I can't tell you how much I despised changing out four bathroom trash cans every week on trash day. I'm cycling back to the first paragraph now: More = more work, more maintenance.

Your layout is poor. And for all the reasons stated.

More space, extra dishwashers and extra garbage bins does not mean less work or more efficient.

Like so many things domestic, this isn't about how many trash cans are in the kitchen. It's about processes, routines, desires, experience, and expectations.

I have the double bin pull out that has already been mentioned plus a small bin pullout under my prep sink. That's plenty; otherwise, it would get smelly. FWIW, we have 4 kids so we change the double bins out almost daily and take to our receptacle outside.

I agree take a timeout to consider various aspects of time & motion, and how to improve those including one’s own habits. I’m not a great housekeeper by nature so I have to work at my habits and patterns. For example, laundry, I try to remind myself only do the amount I’m willing to put away. Even helping my DD’s family, I’m grateful there’s only one washer & dryer so just do a load and get that put away.
I run my dishwasher about every night even less full than dond might, but if I don’t then there’s often too much by the second day. Using half- load setting helps. Plus I need many same items items daily. I used to want dish drawer dishwashers so we could use the plates & bowls right out of one & not put everything away over & over. I still think that sounds attractive, but maybe not as much as before, now that I have worked on my load/ unload habit, listen to music or podcast, keep the mantra, this only takes 10 minutes, what’s the big deal? I have my dish cabinets& utensil drawers close by so it’s just pivoting. Hence some of the advice you’re getting is to focus the layout on some of these other factors.
Back to trash- the same things apply— what else about trash take- out can be annoying but improved? For example, I don’t mind some steps and the pathway is out the back of kitchen into garage or just outside garage and very simple open- close, one- handed type motions and it’s done. Whereas I hate things you have to fiddle with, wrestle , twist, bend & stoop ( I do that in the garden!). So these are issues I would focus on if someone were helping me design new spaces, how cabinets work, how stuff gets from point A to point B. These issues vary as YMMV, so of course people “ pick their poisons”.

I have two pull outs one for trash and one for recycling - a double bin in each - I do like having both -- that said I am heavy into composting if I were to design my kitchen now I would see if there is a way to store compost in a pull out vs on my counter -- while I empty and clean the container daily I am finding that fills up faster than my trash !

Call me crazy, but this is why I like a freestanding garbage can. It holds more and I don't have to empty as frequently . Of course it depends on what I put in there.

I also feel like every time I see that cabinet in a well used kitchen, the door looks beat up and worn more than the rest of the kitchen.

I have a small kitchen so I need my cabinets for storage.

If 1 can doesn't get emptied, 3 sure won’t. Same with the extra DW. This is not framed as a a true kitchen design issue. It’s a lazy behavioral issue.

That kitchen will not work very well. It occupies too much space to be efficient, and has too many duplicative functions. Failing in the only duty of taking out the trash in a small kitchen is an immediate disqualifier to participate in the kitchen design process. It’s the wife who should be having the majority input on creating a kitchen that works.

Well that isn't sexist at all.....Male efficiency person here. Wife culinary trained - worked as a chef but not currently. 50/50 I'd like to think but I think I probably had majority input.

No it isn't really sexist UNLESS he does 75 % of the cooking. Since he's trying to get out of trash duty? I'll bet that isn't the case.

"Constantly have to throw it out in condo currently and it’s my only job in the house so trying to do it less often."

Can we see the house that goes with this kitchen? I guarantee it is too big for you to manage. .........no I am not kidding. Show us the rest.

This is probably unrelated to the question, but how do cabinet drawers that are in a 17" deep cabinet work if the countertop extends 12" out in front of the cabinet (in the island)?

Tough crowd. Contrarian view here: I LOVE having 2 dishwashers. For just us, we use the one… but we like to entertain friends and family and when we have a crowd, which is often, I am so happy to have the second dishwasher so everything (including all the wine glasses and the serving platters, etc) goes in and the place is immaculate by the time I go to bed. No more leaving the stuff that didn’t fit in the one dishwasher sitting on counter or in sink overnight and having to deal with it in the AM. I also have 2 trash/recycle pullouts, but found that unnecessary and only use one. Why? Because I don’t want trash sitting around and stinking up the place. I ended up using the second one to store grocery bags, etc. which comes in handy.

I agree with Susan. If you entertain at all, that second dishwasher would really be handy. I don’t have one and wouldn’t want to give up space in my current kitchen to have one. As for the garbage, I don’t know how old your kids are. But carrying out the garbage is a great kid’s chore. A six year old can easily manage it.

The problem is you, not your wife or your kids or your lack of multiple garbage cans. In this day and age, there are thousands of easy, automated ways to remind yourself to do a recurring task. Use them.

If there is a need for more than one trash receptacle in a kitchen, the kitchen needs to be redesigned; unless you have unique cooking habits.

You know, I just took a look at your kitchen. It's enormous, so, yes, it probably would be ok to have multiple garbage/recycling/trash compactors in there. What the heck… It doesn't look like cost is an issue for you. Figure out the placement. Maybe you can have multiple smaller trash cabinets instead of them all being large though.

I’d like to think he’s being facetious with his garbage is the only thing he does comment.

Whether its true or exaggerated for reactions, if you don‘t like emptying ONE garbage can why do you think having to check if 2-3 need emptying is less work?

The cleanup and prep zones in our kitchen aren't right next to each other, so we included a second trash cabinet in the plans. It was more about ”filling“ than emptying - less chance of dripping/dropping icky stuff on the floor.

Who wants smelly garbage hanging around for days and days?

I think there is an app you can get that will help remind you to take the garbage out; it makes the garbage smell after a period of time. See youdonotneedthisbutiwantyoutopaymeforit.com

Thank you for all the comments. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. Some notes. The dishwashers are panelled as is the fridge and freezer. The shorter cabinets on island at end are so we can add seating if we want. I like the idea of dishwashers side by side and moving the trash next to the kitchen sink instead of behind. We also have servery with sink and a pantry room with sink nearby. Maybe I add smaller trash bins near the other sink and in pantry sink and if it’s not being used or smelly just use it as storage.

So where is the "pantry room" ? Post the entire floor plan in a format that can be blown up and actually seen. We're beating on you because we KNOW that lazy is not solved with more "conveniences" . Just as we know that a thousand baskets and bins, labels and colored stickers, racks and blackboards, racks and shelves and cubbies and allllll THE CRAP THAT ENDS IN A LANDFILL ? Will not turn a messy to a "cleanie"

Read it: It's basically a summary of two words: Now.....and Later. The latter is a the killer

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1174453

Garbage, especially kitchen garbage, has to go out daily.

You start on the second floor with a garbage bag, dump EVERY waste can and descend to the kitchen and powder or baths........and condense all and OUT.. THE DOOR.

Daily. Who the hell wants to even look at it? Bet I can do this in less than three minutes, to no trash ANYWHERE, in any size house..

Nothing is uglier than a waste basket of tissues, dental floss and WHO knows what. Get it all gone, and daily. Makes the entire house feel clean.Don't forget the laundry and office.

Perhaps a small incinerator in the kitchen would work? Or maybe two hours and forty-five minutes in the microwave?

I'm exhausted just looking at the size of the kitchen.

LMAO!!!!!!!!! Both above

I think two trash compactors in two different locations would work nicely.

We LOVE our trash compactor and only need to haul it out once per week. But, with a family, I can see how it would fill quickly. I put a little Pinesol in the bottom of the bag. I do agree, however, that in many cases just keeping up is required. I don't care how many washer and dryers we have, I'll always have clothes to fold or hang up. (My least favorite job).

Since you have a servery with a sink, put your 2nd dishwasher there along with a trash cabinet. Having essentially a 2-room kitchen, it makes sense to have a cleanup zone in each room. But putting a double cleanup zone in one room? That's just bad design.

Taking out the trash is a less than 5 minute job. Set your phone to remind you and just do it.

Unless this kitchen layout is perfect for the way you cook, determine a better kitchen layout before determining trash locations in this layout. I think most people would find this design difficult to work in.

We have three trash pullouts, each with two bins…but we live in Maine, where we have trash, recyclables and returnable. Next to the main cleanup sink we have two pullouts. One is trash and recycling, the other is returnables and reusable bags. The other pullout is near the fridge/ pantry/ microwave zone and is for recyclables and returnables. I am the one who takes the trash out daily, because my husband’s family has a genetic defect that apparently manifests itself in an inability to take out the trash. They will stack precariously, smush down to the point of deforming the can, etc. Yes, I did breed with him, and yes, my children inherited this condition. We actually have a fourth pullout in the pantry, but that holds dog food.

Does the seafood trash get taken out hourly??

The lobstahs are steamed outside, and eaten at the kitchen island, once upon a time upon newspaper, these days on brown paper shopping bag placemats, and even my genetic mutants know the carcasses get wrapped up and go straight to the outside bin.

Does anyone actually have or thought of using 2 microwaves? When warming up dinner or leftovers, would it make sense to have one in the kitchen and also one in the pantry? So it’s not annoying when one is already in use and kids are hungry? The pantry one can be cheap counter one. Not a big priority since it’s a quick wait but just curious if anyone has this?

Some people asked for first floor layout so here it is with renders.

Two MW? Prob not, since warming a plate takes about 60 sec.

We have two D/W. One in the pantry, one in the main K. Both are drawers. We like it for entertaining.

How big is your trash? We have done 3 K now where the pull out contains one of those great big 30 gallon (?) cans you put curbside. Regardless, it is emptied at least every other day, usually daily.

In re diapers, we had an alley between the house and garage in our first house. DH placed a 30 gal trash can there. Diapers were bagged then thrown out the window, down 3 stories. He shoots, he scores! Best "diaper genie" ever.

Now I know you’re kidding re: 2 microwaves. Remember those have to be cleaned also, so they’re either both grimy all the time or someone used the clean one. I’m talking 2 in use- I do have a really small microwave stored away. I got it during early pandemic when DH was WFH right by the kitchen, and I liked to reheat tea and other things without disturbing him. I keep it rather than donating, in case kitchen micro dies and I want to take my time deciding on replacement, or some other delay. So I could see 2 microwaves if one had kitchen- type setups widely apart, as in basement or upstairs family room or other kitchenette arrangement .

Is Rick M the OP or is R R the OP??

Two microwaves only make sense if you are using your microwave for some actual cooking purpose--like a long defrost cycle for a roast, or similar. That way you can continue the cooking while you reheat a plate for a hungry kid. The only other reason you might want one is if you can foresee wanting to get up from the formal dining room to microwave a plate, and you want to do that quickly in the servery. Not a typical process, but some families might want that ability.

Not what you asked about anywhere, but please rethink that wall oven placement. The only nearby countertop for setting hot dishes after removal is across a walkway, and right next to someone seated at the island.

I never understand microwave in the pantry, but the only thing we have in the pantry that wouldn’t require moving to a plate or something first is microwave popcorn. and, if the kids are too young to take out the trash, they are too young to use a microwave.

Our wall oven has counter next to it and across, and we actually find it easier to set things across. It’s a more natural movement, somehow. And if the door is open. there is almost always someone standing in front of it, so how could someone else walk through the door and into the open oven door? But, do reconsider having it in the corner because you want to be able to stand on either side of the door to clean both sides and those back corners.

I live in the south, I wouldn’t ever have an open garbage bin in a cabinet that didn’t get emptied every day, much less 2 or 3. Bugs, smells…gross. Maybe just take it out every day, and get marriage counseling for the resentment issues. Lol. Also, don’t forget kids can do chores too. 😉

That’s a lovely big kitchen…I would play around with the servery and pantry….I think you lose a lot of functional space with the door between them. If the pantry opened directly into the kitchen, you would have the microwave right there, and hopefully the fridge, too. You would lose a cabinet, but gain the third wall of the pantry for storage.That gives you a fixing snacks/leftover zone out of the heavy cooking space. If your kids are younger, or just short, you might want an under the counter microwave. And a small sink somewhere on that side. It would also make putting away the groceries much easier.
Is there some space under the stair landing for storage? You could do some kind of hidden door there, and keep the really weird stuff that you only use occasionally. In my case, that would include the giant lobster pot and the extra crock pots that only came out for team dinners! My genetic mutants would probably decide it was a good place to put a full trash bag, if it were ever absolutely necessary to change out the full trash bag! You have to be really honest with yourself when committing large sums of money to a project.

Like so many things domestic, this isn't about how many trash cans are in the kitchen. It's about processes, routines, desires, experience, and expectations.

Yes -- that's what I was saying when I asked about the route for taking out the trash, but you said it better.

I’m not a great housekeeper by nature so I have to work at my habits and patterns.

Same. Once I create an organizational pattern, I can follow it.

For example, I don’t mind some steps and the pathway is out the back of kitchen into garage or just outside garage and very simple open- close, one- handed type motions and it’s done.

Eh, I do mind excessive steps in taking out the garbage (or other irksome chores). First, because sometimes the bags leak, and those extra steps are more to clean. Second, someday you'll be old, and those extra steps will become more difficult.

But I do agree that simple, straightforward motions /pathways are best.

That kitchen will not work very well. It occupies too much space to be efficient, and has too many duplicative functions.

Agree.

Well that isn't sexist at all....

No, it isn't. If the wife does most of the cooking, she should make the decisions about the kitchen layout. If she does most of the work in the kitchen, she should have things laid out the way she wants. Just like my husband cares more about the bathroom, especially the bathtub ... so he made those decisions.

One is trash and recycling, the other is returnables and reusable bags.

I'd suggest trash in the kitchen /recycling (and other categories for those of you who have them) in the pantry. Recycling isn't as frequent, and placing it in the pantry frees up space in the kitchen.

I am the one who takes the trash out daily, because my husband’s family has a genetic defect that apparently manifests itself in an inability to take out the trash. They will stack precariously, smush down to the point of deforming the can, etc. Yes, I did breed with him, and yes, my children inherited this condition.

Mayhap he and my husband are long-lost relatives? Actually, my husband has become better about this as he's grown older. But my husband is still chronically unable to throw away a paper plate ... he claims he might want to use it again later, and he will NOT hear that I don't care if he's wasteful in this way.

Does the seafood trash get taken out hourly??

Personally, we try to have seafood on Wednesdays ... because Thursday is our trash day.

MrsPete, when I’m planning the menus, seafood is the night before trash day, too. When DH does it, he just puts it in a baggie in the freezer till trash day.

Sexist would be assuming the wife does all or the majority of the cooking. If she does, then yeah she should make decisions. But the post wasn't clear that it was about a specific wife or any wife. So yeah, that is a bit sexist if it means any wife.

We are not even sure this specific wife cooks at all. It was never said this kitchen was for cooking. In my experience, the bigger the kitchen, the less cooking goes on there.

Trash day is Friday, which is the worst for a weekend seafood extravaganza! And we live on the coast of Maine so seafood is more than a once a week treat.
Even with the returnables separated out( in Maine, beer, wine, liquor, juice and water!) our recycling bin is more full than our trash.
But I don’t know what the OP’s situation is!

MrsPete, when I’m planning the menus, seafood is the night before trash day, too. When DH does it, he just puts it in a baggie in the freezer till trash day.

Your husband is a creative thinker! I like his style.

In my experience, the bigger the kitchen, the less cooking goes on there.

Agree.

@Mrs Pete I love that freezer idea - sometimes the simplest things can make things better. I cook on the weekends and garbage pickup is Thursday. We have coyotes the run through our yards and now have a nice bear that strolls through so I try to wait to put my garbage out.