5 Designer-Approved Ways to Hide Your Garbage Cans

It’s no secret that garbage cans and recycling bins are generally major eyesores. However, they’re items that homeowners need to keep accessible in the front yard, nonetheless, so that you can easily roll them down the driveway on pickup days and discard trash bags prior to leaving the house. If you have been wondering how to best disguise your garbage bins without sacrificing style or function, you’ll certainly want to read on—you might be surprised at all of the possibilities that await.

Here, interior design experts share five useful solutions that will appeal to homeowners with a wide range of styles, yard sizes, and budgets. You’ll wonder why you haven’t thought about implementing one of these creative approaches for camouflaging trash bins sooner.

Install Slatted Wooden Screens

One technique that Lauren Saab, the founder of Saab Studios, recommends when it comes to hiding garbage cans outdoors is to install slatted wooden screens to tuck them behind. Saab finds that these often give the appearance of being part of a home’s architecture, resulting in a seamless look.

“It’s a simple upgrade that adds height and polish without trying too hard,” the designer says.

Not sure what type of wood to choose? Saab is partial to cedar and pressure-treated wood in particular. It’s always best when the wood echoes what is used on your existing fencing or trim, she explains.

“Instead of drawing attention, the result blends in and looks intentional,” Saab says.

And don’t forget to also incorporate one of her expert tips, which is to allow for slight gaps between the wooden slats to help with airflow.

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Try a Simple Folding Screen

An alternative to more permanent screens is to recreate the aforementioned look that Saab described using a simple folding screen or outdoor privacy panel, Elizabeth Vergara, the founder of Vergara Homes, explains.

She recommends trying a painted wood or woven rattan type of screen “to make it feel intentional, not just functional.” Of course, you’ll need to make sure that whatever type of screen material you choose is equipped to hold up to the elements.

Say Yes to a Trellis

Trellises add beauty and intrigue to any part of the yard, and can play a useful role in helping to disguise garbage cans as well.  

“I’ve seen yards go from eyesore to editorial just by adding a trellis and vines,” Saab says, noting that some of her favorite greenery to use includes clematis, ivy, and star jasmine. “They create a lush, living curtain that makes trash and compost bins disappear,” she says.

Her pro tip here is to not just stop with the greenery but also to lay down some gravel underfoot and display planters to make this outdoor area appear even more tailored.

“Suddenly the whole setup feels curated instead of cluttered,” she says. “It’s basically camouflage with curb appeal.

Go Tall With Your Plants

Unable to incorporate an entire trellis? A similar solution that Vergara offers is to surround your garbage cans with tall planter boxes or shrubs.

“You get a layered, green look, and the bin disappears behind the foliage,” she says. As a bonus, this is a great way to carve out a mini front yard garden.

Add Built-In Enclosures

Built-in enclosures for garbage cans are common in high-end homes, Saab explains—as she says, these “can solve the problem without sacrificing style.”

These enclosures are generally compact in size and should complement the home’s exterior, the designer adds. For ease, she recommends installing hinged doors to access the enclosure.

“The final result feels intentional and well integrated, not like an afterthought,” Saab says. “It’s not standard, but when done well, it quietly elevates an area most people overlook.”