Strategies to Conceal Bin Containers in Front Yards - A Design Professional Shares Insights on Masking these Aesthetic Flaws
================================================================
When it comes to maintaining a tidy and attractive front garden, unsightly bins can often be a challenge. However, with a few clever strategies, you can effectively hide bins while keeping them easily accessible for collection. Here are some expert tips and techniques to help you transform your front garden into a clutter-free oasis.
Freestanding Walls
One effective method for concealing bins is by building a small wood screening fence or freestanding wall around them. These structures should be tall enough to cover the full height of the bins, typically around 48 inches or higher. To ensure a cohesive look, match the style and materials of your perimeter fencing. This enclosure can also help contain oversized boxes and recycling bins.
Privacy Screens
Installing wood or other material privacy screens near the bins can introduce a decorative and natural barrier while hiding them from view. You can opt for privacy plants such as cedars, junipers, or laurels as an alternative to fencing, as suggested by Trent Brown, the author of Amazon's Bestseller "Taking Your Yard from Overwhelm to Oasis".
Planting Screens
Using privacy plants strategically around or in front of the bins can also be an effective camouflage. Ornamental grasses or dense shrubs can effectively hide bins without creating a cluttered look. Jordan, a designer with over a decade of experience in the field, recommends using a screening hedge made of shrubs such as Cherry Laurel, Dwarf Arborvitae cultivars, or other evergreen shrubs.
Garden Storage Structures
Consider small garden sheds, storage boxes, or purpose-built bin hides that complement your garden style. To soften the look of storage units, train climbing plants on trellises attached to them or use mirrored panels for creative camouflage. Trent Brown also recommends using a bin enclosure, a small shed, or a hidden storage solution to keep bins at bay when not in use.
Other Design Elements
Complement these solutions with well-planned garden layouts that tuck bins out of main sight lines. For example, tucking bins around the side of the house when possible, or integrating them with hardscaping such as short paved areas linking to driveways. Utilizing outdoor furniture or architectural features can also help mask bins.
By combining aesthetics with practicality, these methods make your bins unobtrusive while easy to access for collection. The freestanding walls, screening fences, and dense planting act as both functional barriers and decorative garden features that enhance the overall front garden appeal.
If you prefer a DIY approach, portable outdoor partition walls can be constructed using simple materials like 1x4 wood boards to create flexible privacy screens around bin areas. The Serrety Steel Garden Screen from La Redoute and the two-pack of aluminum and rope garden screens from Sklum UK are other portable options suitable for outdoor use.
These strategies can be tailored to suit various gardens and budgets, ensuring you can maintain a tidy and attractive front garden without compromising on functionality.
Colorful, decorative plant screens can not only hide unsightly bins but also add a trendy art element to your home-and-garden lifestyle. For instance, Jordan, a garden designer, suggests using a screening hedge made of evergreen shrubs like Cherry Laurel, Dwarf Arborvitae, or other shrubs to effectively conceal bins while enhancing the garden's appeal. Similarly, privacy plants such as cedars, junipers, or laurels can be used as an alternative to fencing, providing both natural beauty and lifestyle functionality.
