This beautiful handcrafted trash can is made from 100% Western red cedar and the square paneling can "add charm to small spaces and break up large sprawling areas."

Kickmaster trash can by Wesco, $280 The German manufacturer has been making kitchenware since 1867. We like the bullet-shaped update to its sturdy sheet-steel line.

Pedal Waste Bin by Norm Architects for Menu, $239.95.

Pedal Bin 14-liter by Vipp, $319 It’s tough to beat a classic, like the metal bin that Holger Nielsen designed in 1939 for use in hair salons. The limited-edition citron yellow colorway is available only in 2014.

The Silent Defenders Steel Step trash can by Rubbermaid Commercial, from $120 Look no further for the Holy Grail of waste receptacles: These boxy commercial-grade cans, available in 7-, 12-, or 24-gallon sizes, feature a soft close, satisfying pedal movement, and keep even the most potent aromas contained. amazon.com

Retro Bin 20-liter in Mineral Mint by Brabantia, $137 An unusual pastel shade, a matching removable liner, and a carrying handle distinguish this petite pedal bin from its competitors. johnlewis.com

Another European company making great out of waste is Westermann & Co, affectionately called Wesco; the Germany company has been manufacturing kitchenwares since 1867. The rounded, slightly retro Kickmaster style is available at Williams Sonoma for $280.

This one is a more appropriate for dry waste, or a bathroom, than our larger kitchen garbage cans, but it's worth mentioning nonetheless for its sleek design and elevated materials. Menu Pedal Waste Bin by Norm Architects, $240.

CitiBin products are made of high-quality bamboo and plastic composite with an aluminum frame and stainless steel hardware. They have both top and side doors, so users can easily add trash or move the bin out when it's time for collection.

Trash cans may not be at the top of your shopping list this holiday season, but when they look this sharp, why not? This one is inspired by Richard Galef’s midcentury modern designs and comes with gold or pale green wireframe legs. $125 from Schoolhouse Electric.

The Best Watering Can Although they admit that a watering can is a luxury (any old pitcher will do the trick) having a good watering can does make the chore easier. They recommend the Haw Bosmere V115 5-liter because it “produces a gentle rain the spindliest seedlings could love.”

Patent Ochsner, a household name in Switzerland, has been around since 1928. Their stainless steel bins are great for smaller spaces that don't generate a ton of trash, and the utilitarian industrial vibe of the classic bin is warmed up by an optional beech wood seat with felt cushion. About $285 at Patent Ochsner.

Though most of the contenders on our approved trash can list are European, one of our all-time favorites is made right here in the US of A. Sure, you might picture, say, a plunger when you think of Rubbermaid, but the company's Silent Defenders line of commercial waste bins is almost perfect. Very roomy, a soft close (hence the name), a sturdy wrap-around foot pedal, and a fuss-free industrial silhouette. You can find most sizes and colors on Amazon, starting around $150.

The exhibition graphics employ a customized headline typeface developed by Project Projects. The painted floor graphic shows the shape of Roosevelt Island (in orange) and the extent of the pneumatic tube system (in white).

A demonstration pneumatic tube system ran throughout the exhibition, so visitors could better understand the technology.

The firm's work also includes exhibition and logo design. They handled both for the exhibition 'Fast Trash,' which spotlights the pneumatic trash disposal system used on Roosevelt Island since 1975.

Three deceptively simple shelves made of particleboard are the house's main structural elements. By pushing any one of the units, the resident can easily reposition it; they slide left or right with a simple track system.

Wesco has also introduced a double-canister Big Double Boy garbage can, made of extremely durable powder-coated sheet steel, that separates paper, glass, plastic, and other waste. An integrated damper ensures a soundless lid, and we like the oversized pedal and four color options.

Frédéric Perigot designed this trash bin with "the body of an aircraft," "a lid like a Frisbee," and a lid that closes with the "feel of a sedan." Which fulfills most, if not all, of our ideal trash can requirements. It's not cheap, but it will last forever. The round Frisbee version is €298; the larger, rectangular Mobil version with two canisters on the interior is €598.

Trash Bin Mobil 65-liter 2 Bucket by Perigot, $840 This is the Cadillac of kitchen-appropriate garbage cans, in both size and price. Two compartments mean you can keep trash and recycling under one lid. perigot.com

The X3 watering can by Paul Loebach for Kontextür is a minimal vessel inspired by Eastern European motorcycles, and the company’s first product for use outside of the bathroom, $120.

Aldo Bakker designed a watering can that's reduced to the simplest shape possible.

Bring In the Trash With an eye for the industrial, Winterhalder built the garbage area in the kitchen around two standard-issue plastic trash cans common in German cities. One is orange; the other, green. These in turn inspired her to start adding color accents around the house.

For 2015, Vipp, the Danish industrial design company known for its iconic trash cans and all-black kitchens, introduces a 592-square-foot prefab unit called Shelter.

For when there just isn't storage space to hide away certain water closet accessories, designer Josh Owen created the WC Line. Made from silicone and tanoak wood, this three-piece set includes a wastebasket, plunger, and toilet brush. It's available in black, white, red, blue, and orange.

Brabantia, founded in the Netherlands in 1919, is a go-to for minimalist litter bin design. We like the Retro Bin's matte powder-coated finish (in very "now" hues of pastels, called "minerals" by the company), as well as the soft-close MotionControl Whisper lid and ten-year guarantee.

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec released the Can sofa, a flat-pack design with a canvas and steel tube frame.

The Hospital Can Misses in Ibiza, Spain. Photo courtesy of Luis Vidal + Architects.

The Crest 1 Bottle Opener by Gregory Buntain and Ian Collings for Fort Standard is a sleek blonde brass way to escape the usual.

The compact kitchen is equipped with a 12.5-cubic-foot fridge and freezer; a moveable kitchen island with storage; a cooktop with range hood; a water filter; a pull-out trash can; a microwave; a faucet; and a pantry. Other appliances, such as a dishwasher and wine cooler can be added on.

The LV can be opened to the elements when the weather cooperates, allowing for generous cross-ventilation.

Grcic collects various objects—–including an old-fashioned trash can his sister salvaged for him—–in his studio, which he catalogs for inspiration.

Adding life but not clutter, Jacqueline has adorned the RV with lots of greenery; a papaya-print shower curtain echoes the tiny home’s plant life. A woven trash can and wood shelving give the room a chic, organic touch.

Constructed using a single tube that is bent three times to create the handle and pour spout and then soldered onto a metal can, the x3 Watering Can is an elegant and modern upgrade to a plastic or silver tone metallic watering can. Of it, Santos says, "Art and function in one—there's no need to hide this watering can under the sink when you're done using it."

Designed by Paul Loebach for Kontextur, the x3 is actually a single metal tube bent three times to create a handle and spout.

At the pavilion devoted to Design for Humankind, innovative products emphasized an expanded notion of design for all populations. Moen's Folding Teak Shower Seat and OXO's Good Grips Salad Spinner and Indoor Pour & Store Water Can caught attendees' eyes, along with photographs of Dwell-featured homes such as Orchard House in Sebastopol, California.