Trash cans are a necessary part of life, but they can easily become an eyesore. Outdoor trash cans are especially prone to sticking out like a sore thumb in your yard or on your property. While you likely want to keep a low-profile trash and recycling system in place, you don’t want the cans themselves to detract from your curb appeal. Thankfully, there are many clever, easy ways to hide or disguise your outdoor garbage and recycling bins.

Location, Location, Location

First things first, carefully consider the placement of your outdoor trash and recycling containers. Where you situate them on your property can make a big difference in how noticeable they are. Here are some tips on choosing the best location:

Tuck them in an out-of-the-way spot at the side or back of your home. This keeps the front yard view uncluttered.
Place them near the driveway or back gate for easy access on garbage day.
Put them next to or behind the garage, shed, trees, shrubs, or fences to obscure the view.
Avoid clustering containers together. Separate and spread them out for a lower profile.
Angle trash bins away from the street or front entrance for a more discreet setup.
Keep them away from frequently used outdoor living spaces like decks, patios, and porches.

Taking the time to find an ideal spot to stash your garbage cans pays off in a tidier, less trashy-looking home exterior.

Invest in Attractive Trash Can Enclosures

Building or buying an enclosure, bin or cabinet for your outdoor waste containers is one of the most effective ways to keep them out of sight. Enclosure options abound to match various budgets and design aesthetics. Consider these possibilities:

Wooden Enclosures

A simple wooden box or lattice fence structure offers an affordable DIY solution for concealing unattractive garbage cans. Stain or paint it to complement your home. Just be sure to allow adequate ventilation to control odors.

Storage Benches

Outdoor benches that double as storage for trash receptacles are a smart space-saving choice. Look for heavy duty wooden or plastic options. Place the bench alongside your house or at the end of a driveway.

Masonry Enclosures

For a custom built-in look, construct an enclosure from concrete block or brick. Include a gate to easily open and close. Match the materials to other hardscaping in your yard.

Shed Structures

Small storage sheds are ideal for stowing away garbage cans. Select a shed style that suits your home’s architecture. Position it beside the house or in a backyard corner.

Steel and Vinyl Cabinets

Sleek and sturdy manufactured can cabinets are available in neutral colors like black, gray, taupe, brown, green, and beige. Choose cabinet panels with ventilation slots. Installation is quick and easy.

Composite Wood Cabinets

Composite wood is an environmentally friendly and low maintenance option for manufactured enclosures. Composite withstands weather better than real wood without requiring frequent staining.

Wicker Bins

For a lighter, more natural look, conceal trash receptacles with decorative all-weather wicker bins. Use resin wicker for maximum durability and minimal maintenance.

Creative Trash Can Concealment Ideas

If a full enclosure seems like overkill, get creative with these easy techniques for distracting the eye and downplaying your trash setup:

Surround cans with brightly colored planters filled with flowers or foliage. The plants will draw the eye while softening the bins.
Adorn receptacles with removable fabric covers to disguise the cans. Change covers seasonally.
Place cans behind an attractive wooden trellis or latticework screen. Train vines over the trellis to create living camouflage.
Arrange potted plants, yard art, and other decorative items around trash cans to obscure them.
Disguise your bins as miniature backyard buildings like tiny sheds or playhouses. Add fun details like flower boxes, curtains, or address numbers.
Stash cans behind an outdoor chalkboard mounted on a post. Jot uplifting messages on the board to distract from the bins.
Make a trash can topiary by wrapping receptacles in chicken wire and training ivy or other vines over the wire frame.
Repurpose vintage items like old luggage, trunks, or crates to serve as one-of-a-kind trash can camouflage.

A bit of imagination goes a long way when it comes to concealing eyesores!

Choose Trash Bins in Subdued Colors

The bright colors and large logos plastered on many standard trash and recycling bins also make them stand out. When selecting new containers, look for options in earthy, neutral hues like taupe, brown, slate, dark green, gray, and black. Matt finishes also help downplay shine. Avoid bold colors like red, orange, bright blue, or yellow. Even a simple color swap helps bins visually recede into the landscape.

Let Plants Do the Hiding

Strategically placed greenery is a scenic way to obscure unattractive garbage cans. Clustering bins near bushes, hedges, trellises, and trees enables the plants to provide natural screening. Try tucking receptacles behind these plant options:

Evergreen shrubs – Choose compact types like boxwood or dense varieties like holly. The year-round foliage will reliably conceal.
Bamboo – A dense row of bamboo creates an attractive, living privacy screen. Hardy clumping bamboo varieties work well.
Weeping trees – Trees with long cascading branches are made for hiding trash. Birch, willow, and cherry trees work beautifully.
Vined trellises – Growing leafy vines over a trellis next to bins adds texture while concealing. Try ivy, clematis, or morning glory.
Flowering perennials – Plant tall flowers like daylilies or ecchinacea behind trash bins to partially obscure the view.

Take into account future growth and leave adequate space between plants and receptacles. A lush, well-placed border of greenery renders garbage cans virtually invisible!

Use Optical Illusions as Camouflage

Certain colors, textures, and patterns have an optical illusion effect that lets them essentially “disappear” against a background. Take advantage of this by adding camouflaging elements to make your trash setup less noticeable:

Patterned Side Panels

Paint the sides of wooden enclosures in an alternating board and batten or checkerboard pattern. The eye focuses on the pattern rather than the structure.

Printed Fabric Panels

Mount fabric panels printed with a mottled, swirly pattern on bin enclosures. Tone-on-tone textures distract from the enclosure itself.

Faux Rock Siding

Use textured siding that mimics natural stone on the exposed sides of trash receptacle cabinets or sheds. The stone-like finish blends with landscaping.

Graphic Wallpaper

For a fun, funky look, cover bin cabinets and structures with an eye-catching graphic wallpaper. Bold geometric or floral prints do a great job of disguising.

Weathered Wood Finish

A gray, driftwood-like finish on wood bin enclosures allows them to fade into the background. The natural texture becomes part of the landscape.

Blending is key! Matching enclosure colors and textures to the home exterior and yard environment helps the enclosures virtually disappear.

Disguise Bins as Something Else

Who says a trash or recycling bin has to look like…well, a trash or recycling bin? Use decor to transform receptacles into something else entirely. Some creative disguises include:

Oversized urns, vases, or planters
Weathered antique trunks
Watering cans, buckets, or pots
Pirate treasure chests
Hay bales or feed bags
Stone crocks or concrete garden statues
Galvanized washtubs, barrels, or feed troughs
Log stumps or tree slices
Stacked wooden crates or luggage

Add plausible-looking decorations like flowers, vines, moss, rope handles, or decals/faux labels to sell the disguise. This incognito approach lets bins hide in plain sight!

Use Landscaping Features as Natural Barriers

The topology, structures, and finishing touches you add to your landscape can all pitch in to conceal less attractive elements like trash receptacles. Consider incorporating these screening landscaping features:

Fences & Gates

Wooden privacy fences with locking gates keep bins private while matching natural woodsy surroundings. Simulated wrought iron is another classic choice.

Low Garden Walls

Short rock, brick, block, stucco, or concrete garden walls add architecture to your landscaping while blocking views.

Gravel or Stone Paths

Winding pathways outlined by gravel, crushed rock, or stone draw the eye while directing foot traffic away from bins.

Raised Garden Beds

A row of cedar raised beds makes a pretty partition for hiding trash zones. Plant flowers, herbs or veggies in the beds.

Berms & Bioswales

Gently sloped earthen mounds create visual barriers. Bioswales also channel rainwater runoff.

Boulders & Rock Groupings

Artfully arranged boulders, stones, and rock gardens block trash cans from view in a natural-looking way.

Take advantage of hardscapes and graceful contours to obscure receptacles without obvious barriers. A holistic landscape design considers how to conceal any eyesores.

Keep it Clean and Simple

No amount of concealment will completely hide an overflowing, messy trash area. Do your part to keep the area around bins neat and clean. Quick tips:

Empty cans regularly so lids close properly.
Rinse cans to avoid grime and odor buildup.
Keep the ground picked up around bins.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Replace broken or damaged bins.
Straighten and align bins so they look orderly.

Maintaining a clean, crisp look helps direct eyes away from the trash setup. Good housekeeping matters, even in concealed spots!

When All Else Fails, Consider Trash Valets

For homeowners dealing with highly visible curbside collection that’s tough to avoid, commercial trash valet services are the ultimate option. With valet service:

Cans are kept out of sight except on pickup day.
Receptacles are brought curbside on collection day, then promptly returned.
Multiple pickup days are consolidated to one day per week.
Service is customized to your specific needs.

While pricier than regular hauling, valet trash service preserves aesthetics in neighborhoods where bins are unavoidably exposed. The splurge for valet pickup is often worth it for the decluttered streetscape.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let your garbage setup trash your property’s style. With a little creativity, almost any outdoor trash and recycling bins can be made less obtrusive. Often it’s just a matter of redirecting the eye’s focus. Where full concealment isn’t possible, distraction and disguise go a long way. Strategically placed screens, enclosures and landscaping features turn unsightly receptacles invisible. And remember – fussiness about your trash zone pays off in beautifying your home’s exterior!

Frequently Asked Questions about Hiding Outdoor Trash Cans

Hiding your outdoor trash and recycling bins can transform an eyesore into a seamless part of your property’s landscape. Here are answers to common questions on how to conceal containers creatively and effectively.

What are the best materials for building custom trash can enclosures?

Wood, plastic, vinyl, and composite wood are top choices for DIY bin enclosures because they’re affordable, attractive, and easy to work with. Masonry like stone, brick, or block is long-lasting but requires more DIY expertise. Pre-fab steel and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cabinets are durable options that install quickly.

How much space should enclosures allow for between the bin and enclosure interior?

Allow at least 2 inches of clearance on the sides and rear of the enclosure, and 4 inches of headspace above the bin. This gives you room to maneuver bins in and out. The entry should be wide enough to easily roll cans out without bumping or tipping.

Should trash can enclosures be vented?

Proper ventilation helps control odors and condensation. Allow air flow by leaving gaps between enclosure boards, installing louvred vents, or using slatted materials like latticework or bamboo fencing. Avoid making the enclosure totally airtight.

What’s the ideal location for enclosing my garbage cans?

Look for a spot that’s out of primary sightlines but still conveniently accessible, like beside the garage or near side or back gates. Avoid putting enclosures too close to windows or patios. Also consider your path to roll cans out on collection day.

How can I camouflage my trash cans if I can’t build an enclosure?

No enclosure needed! You can use lattice panels, trellises, Potted plants, yard art, or other decor to partially obscure bins. Or disguise them as miniature sheds, furniture, or planters. Painting cans to match surroundings also helps them discreetly blend in.

Will plants and foliage eventually outgrow and expose my trash cans?

To prevent overgrown plantings from revealing bins, allow adequate space between greenery and receptacles. Choose compact, slow-growing plant varieties. Trim plantings back as needed to maintain optimal screening density. Periodically check that your concealment approach is still working.

How much distance should be between my trash cans and screening plants?

Initially allow at least 2 feet between plantings and bins. That leaves space for vegetation to fill in and plants to mature over time. Avoid cramming cans right up against plantings, which can slow plant growth.

Can I use gravel or rocks around my trash cans to make them less noticeable?

Placing bins in a setting surrounded by gravel, pebbles, boulders or rock gardens helps visually recede cans into the landscape’s hardscaping features. Just ensure there’s still room to open lids and roll bins in and out without catching on rocks.

Which is better for hiding trash cans – fences, walls, or plant screens?

For quickest concealment, fences, walls, and screens create an instant barrier. Vines and bushes take time to grow in but ultimately offer a softer, more aesthetic look that blends with the landscape. Often the best solution is to combine hardscaping with plantings.

What maintenance does my trash can concealment setup require?

Periodically clear away debris and weeds around enclosures, and promptly wash off any spilled garbage. Prune plants as needed to maintain optimal screening density. Repair or refresh screens and enclosures as materials weather, warp, or deteriorate. A well-kept system stays discretely out of sight.

Hiding eyesores like trash bins improves your home’s curb appeal and adds beauty to your outdoor environment. With creative designs and strategic plantings, unsightly receptacles simply fade into the backdrop. Just be sure to allow for easy access on garbage day! With a little thought, any outdoor space can look clean, uncluttered, and serene.

How to Hide Outdoor Trash Cans

Overview

Outdoor trash cans can be an unsightly nuisance. But there are many creative ways to conceal them.
Carefully choose bin placement in discreet areas like side yards or behind garages.
Invest in attractive enclosures made of wood, vinyl, composite, or masonry.
Use plants, trellises, lattice, and yard art to obscure receptacles.
Paint or buy trash bins in subdued colors that blend in.
Disguise receptacles as planters, furniture, or tiny buildings.
Take advantage of existing fences, garden structures and landscaping contours.
Keep the trash area clean and orderly.
Consider commercial trash valet services for ultimate convenience.
With a little effort, unsightly outdoor garbage setups can vanish.

So don’t despair over your messy trash zone! This article explored numerous innovative ways to make those pesky bins disappear. The key is creatively integrating receptacle concealment into your overall landscape design. With strategic furnishings, screening plants and hardscaping, eveneyesore trash systems transform into beautiful outdoor spaces.