The Best Ways to Hide Trash Cans and Other Unsightly Objects in the Outdoors
If you’ve put any effort into making your yard and outdoor space beautiful, or at least livable, you’ve likely encountered certain features or fixtures that stick out like sore thumbs, threatening to ruin your carefully crafted aesthetic. . These include your garden hoses, air conditioners, utility meters, water pipes and trash cans, just to name a few.
But you won’t have to look at these eyesores every time you step outside if you put in a little effort to hide them. Here are the best ways to hide these ugly gadgets.
Install a fence or privacy screen
The easiest way to hide an eyesore is to install a fence, screen or box to hide it. This can work especially well for trash cans or large HVAC systems that are visible from different angles. You can modernize even further by choosing a decorative panel or screen made from natural plants, painting the fencing, or adding vertical garden elements (more on this below).
Add a trellis or plant a vertical garden.
If you want a more natural look, consider installing a trellis or adding climbing plants to grow on your fence (especially if you need to cover chain links). Be sure to choose a climbing plant that suits your space and time of year. Alternatively, you can create a vertical garden using items such as ladders, pallets and even shoe organizers.
If you don’t have anything to grow or propagate, you can still place individual pots in front of or around the object you want to hide. This allows you to keep the barriers mobile for easier access.
Install a birdhouse or birdbath
For utility boxes or wall counters and panels, consider creating a three-sided birdhouse that can be mounted around the light fixture (and with a door that can still open for easy access). Bird baths can also serve as camouflage for ground level objects.
Add an attractive container or distraction
A simple stand, wall mount or reel may be an easy way to store your garden hose, but it certainly isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing option. Consider a pot with a hole or an outdoor bench with storage, both of which will completely hide the hose.
If you can’t cover the light, install something to distract the eye (or ear) from it. For example, the sound of a water feature can drown out the whirring of the HVAC system, while a garden sculpture, fire pit or patio furniture can distract from other unsightly elements.
Dye
If you have a boring fence or plain pipes, consider painting them to either disguise them (to match what’s next door or the exterior of your home) or to add a decorative element. For example, you can create an industrial feel by painting exposed plumbing pipes matte black or a metallic shade. Make sure you use paint or spray paint designed for the material you are covering.