Are you tired of bulky and unsightly machines cluttering the outside of your home? If so, don’t worry – there are many clever and creative ways to hide these outdoor eyesores and boost your curb appeal.
Always check policies before covering certain items.
Before you begin, you must check with your local utility companies for policies covering water meters, electrical meters, trash bins, and AC units. Some guidelines may relate to clearance, access for meter readers, and adequate ventilation for AC units.
Repurpose old vinyl shutters or build wood screens.
One way to hide utility boxes and wires is by repurposing old vinyl shutters as screens. You can quickly move or take them down for the winter or whenever you need to access the utility boxes. Alternatively, you can build a wood screen using wood scraps in your garage or pressure-treated fence boards. Door hinges can be used to attach them together, and you can paint or stain your new screen.
Another wood-building project is a slatted wood screen that uses cleats – one pair attached to the screen itself, one pair attached to the house – to hold it in place. You simply push it up and away to access the utility boxes. Add some greenery by attaching planters to your wood screen for even more curb appeal!
Camouflaging with Plants and Slipcovers
If you have a cable box, an electrical box, or a sewer access cap sticking up through the grass in your front yard, you can easily hide them by planting shrubs and other plants around them. Alternatively, you can make a slipcover with a beadboard and top it with a birdhouse.
Hiding AC Units
AC units are bulky and need more airflow to work efficiently, so they can be challenging to hide. However, lattice screens are nice to look at, easy to assemble, and provide plenty of airflow. If you want something more modern, try a slatted wood screen instead.
Concealing Trash Cans and Water Hoses
Some outdoor items, such as water hoses and trash cans, are necessary for home living, but they don’t look so good out in the open. One solution is to build a wooden planter to hold your hoses! Plant pretty flowers and plants in the lid, and no one will ever know you’re hiding a water hose or two inside.
Alternatively, you can build a modern cedar screen to hide your trash cans! Add your house numbers to give it another purpose. You could use this DIY cedar screen to hide all kinds of outdoor eyesores, from kids’ toys to pool equipment! Another option is to use a smaller trash can with a door – it could store just about anything!
Finally, try a climbing plant trellis along a concrete foundation wall or simply paint a cinder block fence to look more like a vinyl fence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many creative and effective ways to hide outdoor eyesores and improve your home’s curb appeal. The possibilities are endless, from repurposing old vinyl shutters to building a wooden planter to hold your hoses. Just make sure to check with your local utility companies before covering up your water meters, electrical meters, trash bins, and AC units to ensure you are meeting their policies and guidelines. With a little bit of creativity and some DIY skills, you can transform your outdoor space and make it look more attractive and inviting.
Published on 2023-05-10 13:22:12
