Sick Of Looking At Ugly Trash Cans? Make Them Blend In Beautifully
We spend so much time making our yards look nice. We mow the lawn, plant flowers and buy cute furniture to create a little space that feels like a reflection of our tastes. Then we ruin the whole vibe by parking two giant neon plastic bins right by the back door or the garage. It is one of those necessary evils of owning a home. But I realized recently that you do not have to settle for the eyesore. You can actually tuck them away in a way that adds to your curb appeal.
Planter Box
This is my absolute favorite trick because it does double duty. You can build or buy a three sided wooden enclosure that has a shallow garden bed built right into the roof. It basically hides the bins behind a wall of wood while giving you a new spot to plant colorful flowers or trailing vines. It draws the eye up to the pretty plants and completely distracts you from the garbage cans hidden below. It turns a gross corner into a beautiful living garden feature.
Simple Privacy Screens
If you are not handy with a saw, don’t worry about it. The hardware store sells these great freestanding privacy screens that are meant to hide air conditioning units. They usually come in resin or wicker and they stake right into the ground. You just set up two or three panels in an L shape to create a little nook. It takes maybe ten minutes to install and it instantly blocks the view of the cans from the street or your patio.
A Lattice With Climbing Vines
This is such a charming and romantic way to solve the problem. You can put up a simple piece of wood lattice work around the trash area. Then you plant something aggressive and fast growing like jasmine or ivy at the base. In a few months, nature will take over and create a living green wall. The best part is that fragrant flowers like jasmine help mask any less than pleasant smells coming from the bins on a hot summer afternoon.
The Classic Shrub Border
Sometimes the best solution is just good old fashioned landscaping. You can plant a row of evergreen shrubs like boxwoods or even tall ornamental grasses to create a natural fence. You want something that stays green all year round so you do not see the cans in the winter. Just make sure you leave enough room behind the bushes to easily roll the cans out to the curb on trash day without fighting through branches or squishing your plants.
Building A Pallet Wall
If you want a fun weekend project that costs almost nothing, you can use old shipping pallets. You can usually find them for free behind local businesses if you ask nicely. With a little sanding and some outdoor paint you can screw them together to make a three sided stall. It looks very farmhouse chic and rustic. You can paint them the same color as your house to make them blend in or a fun accent color to make it look like a design feature.
The Resin Storage Shed
If you live in an area with aggressive raccoons or bears, you might need something more secure. These heavy duty plastic storage sheds are fantastic. They look like little beige or gray cabinets and they lock tight. Many of them have a lid that connects to your trash can lid with a chain so everything opens in one smooth motion. It keeps the rain and the animals out while keeping your yard looking perfectly tidy and organized.
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It really is amazing how much calmer your yard feels when you are not staring at trash cans. It is one of those visual stressors we don’t realize is having an impact until it is gone. Once you tuck them away your home looks more polished and intentional. Whether you build a fancy planter or just plant a few bushes, it is a weekend project that pays off every time you pull in the driveway. You might even find yourself enjoying taking the trash out a little more.
Bliss Donahue-Power
