Hey, great question! If you're a family of four, you’ve probably noticed your trash fills up fast. Based on common household experience and market data, the most popular size for a family of four is the 13-gallon (about 49 liters) waste bin for the kitchen.
Here’s why this size wins: It’s the standard fit for most under-counter cabinets in the US and UK, and it holds roughly three to four days of garbage for an average family of four. You won’t be taking it out every single day, but it’s not so huge that it becomes a heavy, awkward monster to haul to the curb. A 13-gallon bin is large enough to handle dinner leftovers, packaging, and daily scraps, yet small enough to fit a standard 13-gallon trash bag—which is widely available in any grocery store.
For a family of four, I always recommend getting one with a lid (a step pedal lid is my favorite) to contain odors and keep pets out. For the rest of your home—like bathrooms or home offices—smaller 4-gallon bins work perfectly. But for the main kitchen battlefield? Stick with 13 gallons. It’s the sweet spot between capacity and practicality. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself when you only have to change the bag every few days!