Hiding Unsightly Utility Boxes in Your Yard

Are you racking your brain trying to come up with a landscaping idea to hide your utility boxes from view? Have you thought about using bushes or shrubs but worry about when they grow so large they obstruct your access to the utility and cable boxes? This trellis idea should do the trick for you. This idea will help you cover those boxes mounted on the side of your house. It can also be used to hide those large air conditioning units by the side of your house too.

Curb appeal and landscaping are both very important things when you are trying to sell your house. Real Estate buyers will be comparing your house to others on the market so you want to be sure to hide your utility boxes and air conditioning units as best you can. If the boxes are in sight when you are out on your deck or patio then you will want to make sure they are hidden too. No one likes to sit and look at utility boxes while trying to relax and have fun outside in their yard.

First, measure the area you want to cover. Be sure to go over by about 2 inches on either side of your utilities. This will ensure complete coverage.

Purchase trellis sections from your local home improvement store or Target. They sell sets that are pre-finished and weatherproof. They usually come with 4-6 panels. You can use 2 together for the front and 1 each for the sides. You are basically making a box around the front of the utilities.

Use your shovel or post hole digger to install the trellis panels. Then connect the 2 panels together to make your front panel or use one larger panel.

Add hinges to one side of the larger panel and connect to one of the side panels. This will make the larger panel like a door. This way you can still access your utility boxes easily by just opening it up like you would a door.

Next, add a hook and eye latch or a gate latch to the other side of the larger front panel. You want to have it so that it can open so that utility workers can access them easily and so that you can go in from time to time to maintain that area of your lawn.

You can add a flower box and paint or stain the structure, just be sure to use exterior paint. Purchase or make flower pot holders that you can hook onto the trellis in strategic spots. You don't want it to be a wall of plants but you want enough to cover your utility boxes.

You are done. You can change your plants when you get tired of them, you can make an herb garden, and it is really up to you. The most important thing is that you hid your ugly utility boxes and air conditioning units from view.