A little bit of creativity and strategic positioning is all it takes to hide backyard eyesores such as a generator or an air conditioning unit. While the fixtures are a necessary part of an outdoor space, they don’t need to be on display. To help you turn your backyard into a relaxing oasis, we asked outdoor experts to share clever ideas to hide eyesores in the yard—without spending a fortune.
The six clever solutions below are DIY-friendly, can be done on a modest budget, and make for great weekend projects. Best of all, they’re not just ways to hide unsightly things like trash cans—they can be beautiful focal points that add visual impact and enhance your outdoor space in their own right.
Slatted Wooden Screens or Panels
To hide backyard eyesores such as HVAC units and generators, invest in slatted wooden screens or panels.
“You can buy them pre-made or DIY it with a couple of cedar planks and outdoor screws,” Melissa Rolston, chief strategy officer at Paramount Landscaping Inc., says, who specializes in creating beautiful and practical outdoor spaces.
Make sure to leave enough space for ventilation and access for routine maintenance. Stick with the wood’s natural tone or take Rolston’s advice and paint the wooden screen black or dark green to help it visually disappear into the landscape.
A Wooden Trellis
If you’re working with limited space or need more vertical coverage rather than the horizontal coverage that shrubbery provides, opt for a wooden trellis.
“I have used a wooden lattice panel with climbing plants to provide screening where there needed to be airflow, like around an AC unit,” Tammy Sons, a plant expert and founder and CEO of family-owned online plant nursery TN Nursery, explains.
The experts recommend growing vines such as clematis, wisteria, or a trumpet vine on a trellis structure. They provide coverage and privacy as well as a lovely pop of color. If space is an issue, Rolston says a freestanding trellis with vines for a space-saving option.
A Screen of Evergreen Shrubs
Evergreen shrubs provide year-round coverage for backyard eyesores, whether it’s trash cans or the view of a neighbor’s messy yard.
Sons suggests planting a screen of native shrubs, such as a wintergreen boxwood or wax leaf privet. They disguise eyesores effectively, grow relatively quickly, and are typically inexpensive. They form a dense screen that ensures full coverage, and while they are usually quite low-maintenance, you can get creative with trimming the shrubs for added visual impact.
Raised Flower Beds and Planter Boxes
Trash cans are one of the biggest backyard eyesores, but Rolston says you can easily tuck them behind raised planter boxes. Plant herbs or climbing plants in the boxes, and the expert says they’ll look completely intentional.
Similarly, raised flower beds with tall, upright-growing plants are a clever solution for hiding an ugly chain link fence, trash cans, or an unsightly view.
Layered Ornamental Grasses
“Layered ornamental grasses like purple love grass have also worked well in softening or obscuring,” Sons says. She recommends turning an eyesore into an attractive focal point.
Ornamental grasses come in a variety of types, shapes, colors, and sizes, and can be layered for a stunning visual effect. Unlike regular grass, they don’t need to be mowed and grow both vertically and horizontally. This makes them a pretty and practical solution for hiding backyard eyesores.
Container Plants
For a quick way to hide an eyesore without spending a fortune, assemble a couple of container plants. Use a variety of different plants for visual interest, and if you need extra height, Sons says you can insert decorative fencing or a wooden pallet behind the plants.
Additionally, you can get creative with the containers and include varying shapes, sizes, and materials. For a more traditional look, choose a cohesive style such as terracotta pots. For a more organic container plant display, opt for an eclectic mix of planters. Add height with plant stands and switch out plants throughout the year for a seasonal display.