When you invest so much into the exterior and landscaping of your home, the last thing you want is your garbage cans ruining the view. A necessary but unsightly fixture of most homes, garbage cans aren’t usually coveted for their designs.
Luckily, there are ways to conceal them so that they don’t become an eyesore. From trellises to fencing and planters, there are plenty of creative methods to disguise your garbage cans in plain sight. Read on for seven garbage can enclosure ideas to beautify your front yard.
Trellis
Trellises are a beautiful way to display climbing plants like roses and wisteria. Because of all the lushness and tall architectural details, they also make for a great cover-up to hide garbage cans behind.
You can attach three regular trellises to create a DIY enclosure—or even go for a custom trellis gazebo, as seen in the above photo. A seating arrangement ahead and extra foliage within the space can help keep the garbage cans further out of sight.
Wooden Structure
Wooden enclosures are one of the most common structures to conceal garbage cans. This one, for instance, uses horizontal panels to create an airy yet refined design. Metal railings help ensure it stays durable, while the simple design lends a modern feel.
These structures work for both smaller and larger garbage cans. Plus, you can often DIY the job yourself to save money, getting custom dimensions for a fraction of the cost of a professional build.
Planters
There are a myriad of ways to use planters and plants around garbage cans. One of our favorites? Creating a wooden enclosure for the garbage cans and popping a raised bed on top. This makes the enclosure stand out less, as the greenery can blend in with your surrounding landscape.
Plus, it’s an opportunity to get a glimpse of your favorite flowers or veggies whenever you take out the trash—whether it’s fresh tomatoes, vibrant sunflowers, or cascading ivy.
A Shed
Sheds are staple accessories in many backyards, but they can also be propped out front if you have a large enough space. A simple, petite structure is all you need to keep your garbage cans out of sight. Plus, it offers extra storage for any gardening tools, lawnmowers, or other supplies you may want on hand.
You can opt for a neutral barn-style shed as done here, or get creative by adding pops of personality, whether through windows, roof details, or vibrant paint colors.
Fencing
Extending your fencing to create an enclosure is a seamless way to conceal garbage without making it feel like a completely separate structure.
You can also always extend fencing to the entry of your backyard, and store your garbage cans behind the doors so that they aren’t in your front yard at all.
This fence features a curved lattice top to create a sense of airiness and movement, with natural wood panels spanning the bottom portion so that garbage cans can’t be seen through it.
Fence-Foliage Combination
This is a perfect example of using the existing architecture and landscape to inspire a well-integrated enclosure. The designers at Topophyla used a cohesive vertical-paneled fence to create a wrap-around area for the garbage cans to be inserted in. Meanwhile, bushy plants extend over top to make it feel like part of the garden.
Privacy Screens
A simple privacy screen can do wonders for hiding garbage cans. The black-stained wood panels here, for instance, provide a barrier between the outer fence and seating area—creating a perfect, handy nook to place garbage cans behind.
You can even purchase privacy screens made of weather-resistant materials to create a more DIY enclosure if you don’t want to invest in a full renovation. The effect is pretty much the same—plus, there are more options to play around with color and design.