If you keep your garbage bins in the garage, why not free up space and move them permanently outside, tucked behind a decorative enclosure? Here are some gorgeous options for placing garbage bins out of sight and out of mind.
Before you build. If you have a homeowners association, check first to see if you’re permitted to store your cans behind an outdoor enclosure. If so, submit the required forms and drawings for approval. Since it will be a permanent structure, you may need a municipal building permit, too.
DIY or a job for the pros? That will depend on your own skill level and available time. An enclosure of this sort shouldn’t cost more than several hundred dollars.
Materials. Start with a concrete pad on which to build either a brick or wood structure. The pad could cover the entire area or serve as a perimeter curb, filling the interior with paver stones. Be sure that you don’t cover over any sprinkler heads.
If choosing masonry, select a brick or stone that matches the house. If your house is stucco, build and paint the enclosure a matching color.
If you choose to use wood, go with a classic stain similar to wood decking. Slats can run vertically or horizontally. Decorative caps on the posts give a finished appearance. Adding doors will completely shut the cans in; adding a roof will keep raccoons and other foragers away. Another option is to use lattice work for the sides.
Additional uses. If you leave extra room in your design, add brackets inside to hang garden hoses and sprinklers, or even a composting bin. Place your structure under a gutter downspout and include a rainwater capture barrel.
Maintenance. Trash enclosures can get grimy over time. Periodically pull the cans out, hose down the interiors and scrub with hot soapy water. Cleanliness will help keep odors and vermin away.
