Proud Homeowner Shares Clever DIY Solution To Hide Outdoor Trash Cans: 'That's Beautiful'

Outdoor trash cans are, unfortunately, just as ugly as they are necessary. No matter what color, size, or shape they are, they just end up ruining your curb appeal. If only there were a way to make them disappear... Well, one proud homeowner shared a clever DIY way to hide their outdoor trash on Reddit. This kind of simple and smart project makes every DIYer (myself included) wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?"

This DIY is a simple wooden enclosure. While there are other sleek fixes to hide ugly outdoor trash cans and boost curb appeal, this one is unique because it closes completely. It's not a simple wooden fence; it's an actual box, complete with a roof and doors. The roof can keep out rain, snow, leaves, and animals like rats, raccoons, and squirrels. This is a DIY that's not only functional but also beautiful, and I'm not the only one who's saying it. The comments are rolling in, and the people are loving it. "That's beautiful," one Reddit user said. "Nice work, this looks great," another added.

If you're seeing this and thinking about buying a bin enclosure rather than making it yourself, I get it. But if the love of DIY isn't enough to convince you, let's talk money. Store-bought trash sheds can cost upwards of $300. In contrast, this DIY is among the budget-friendly ways to hide outdoor garbage bins. It can be done with some wood from the hardware store, a drill, screws, hinges, and a metal hook or fastener to close the doors. If you're really budget-conscious, this DIY can be done by repurposing wood scraps. If the wood you're using is untreated, just make sure to apply a layer of oil or sealer to protect it from water.

What makes this DIYer's work so genius is its simplicity. The entire enclosure is built from a basic rectangular wooden frame made of standard wood slats (the black sections). In this case, the roof is slightly slanted, which helps rainwater and debris slide off instead of piling up on top. If you prefer an easier build, you can stick with a flat top instead. Just remember to clear off leaves or snow whenever you take out the trash.

The same wood slats were used to create the frame for two small doors, which attach to the main container frame with basic hinges and close with a simple metal fastener. Then, there are pallet slats drilled into the inside of the frame to create the walls and the doors (the wood-colored parts). Finally, a few planks were added on top of the roof.

What makes this project so smart is how customizable it is, since you can adjust its size to fit your specific bins. But keep in mind one thing: the trash bins need to fit comfortably through the doors. The enclosure also needs to be tall enough that you can easily open the bins to drop bags into them. A tight fit might make this enclosure inconvenient to use daily. While this is a sizable enclosure, you can paint the wood to make it blend in with your home's exterior. This homeowner picked exposed wood and black trim, but nothing is keeping you from painting the entire thing one color. The key to being a DIYer is to adapt what you see online and make it your own!