Step-by-step guide

Build a bin store — step by step

Hide the bins neatly — and stop them blowing over.

This is a complete guide to build a bin store yourself — step by step, with a material list, tools, a timeline and what it costs. It's written for anyone building at home without professional experience: count on 1 weekend and a material cost of around 1,500–4,000 kr.

Showing method: Classic, for 2 bins with a hinged lid

DifficultyBeginner

Time1 weekend

Estimated material cost1,500–4,000 kr

The price is an estimate based on typical material prices and can vary depending on size, material choice, location and store.

Build a bin store – Classic, for 2 bins with a hinged lid

Choose a method

Which method suits you best?

Best for: A typical house with 2 bins (food/residual waste).

Please note: Material quantities, prices and building methods are guidelines. Always check current prices, local regulations and product instructions before starting a project.

How a bin store comes together

Materials for a bin store — full list

Check items off while you shop — the list stays with you on the page.

7 steps

Build a bin store step by step

01
Measure your bins
A standard 190 l bin is 73 cm tall, 56 cm wide and 74 cm deep. Allow at least 5 cm of clearance all round so the bin slides out easily. For two bins: about 130 × 80 × 120 cm (W×D×H).
Tip: Measure your own bin — some local councils use different sizes.
02
Build the base and top frame
Cut four battens and screw them into a rectangle. Build two identical frames — one for the base, one for the top. Check the diagonal measurements so it's square.
03
Fit the corner posts
Screw four vertical battens (45×70 mm) into the corners between the base and top frame. Check plumb in both directions.
04
Clad the sides and back
Screw slats or shiplap boards onto the outside of the frame. Leave a 5 mm gap between the boards for airflow (the bins smell less).
Tip: Build without a back panel if the bin store will stand against a house wall.
05
Build the lid or doors
Lid: build a frame with plywood or slats and hang it on two hinges. With a spring or gas strut, the lid opens on its own. Doors: one or two hinged doors at the front for easy access.
06
Fit a roof (optional but recommended)
Lay a sloped plywood board with roofing felt or a piece of sheet metal on top. Slope it backwards so water runs off — otherwise rain collects in the lid.
07
Oil or paint
Apply two coats of outdoor stain or oil. Falun red paint suits well against a red house.

This helps me

Help specific to build a bin store

How the time breaks down

A bin store for 2 bins is built in a full day or a weekend — depending on the finish.

Measuring & shopping1–2 hours
Cutting and building frames1 hour
Raising the frame1 hour
Cladding the sides2–3 hours
Building the lid + fitting1–2 hours
Oiling or painting1 hour + 1 day drying time

How to save time

Build it lying flat on the ground — much easier to get square.
Buy a ready-made kit from a builders' merchant if you want to save time (from about 2,500 kr).
Measure the bin with the lid open — you need height for that too.

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers about build a bin store

How do you build a bin store?

A bin store hides 1–3 bins and keeps them in place even in windy weather. We build a simple box in pressure-treated timber with shiplap or slats, and a hinged lid for easy emptying. The height is adapted to your bins (standard 110 cm for a 190 l bin). The guide breaks the work into 7 steps — you start with measure your bins, build the base and top frame and fit the corner posts and work your way forward at your own pace.

How much does it cost to build a bin store?

Material cost is typically 1,500–4,000 kr. Total cost 1,500–4,000 kr for 2 bins. Mostly depends on your choice of cladding and whether you add a roof. The biggest items are battens 45×70 mm (~18 m) 600–1,000 kr, slats or shiplap boards 500–1,500 kr and hinges + magnetic catch 200–500 kr. The price varies with size, material choice, location and store.

What materials do you need for a bin store?

You'll need things like battens 45 × 70 mm pressure-treated, slats 22 × 95 mm pine, or shiplap 22 × 120 mm + 22 × 45 mm, plywood or sheet metal for the roof and hinges (for the lid) — the full material list with quantities is in the guide and can be checked off while you shop. Tools you'll need at home: drill & batteries, circular saw or mitre saw, spirit level and tape measure & pencil.

How long does it take and how hard is it?

Count on 1 weekend for a bin store. A bin store for 2 bins is built in a full day or a weekend — depending on the finish. The difficulty level is easy, so you can manage it without professional experience if you follow the steps in order.

Which method should I choose for a bin store?

There are 3 common ways to build it: classic, for 2 bins with a hinged lid, large version for 3–4 bins and bin store against the house wall. Choose a method at the top of the page — the guide, material list and cost then adapt to that solution.

What's the most common mistake?

The mistakes we see most often: too tight a fit — the bin jams every time it's collected, fully sealed construction with no air gap — smells bad in summer and forgetting the roof — water collects in the lid. Read through the whole guide once before you start — that way you'll avoid most of them.