We live in the city, although we would love to move to the country. While we live in the city, we want our yard to look nice, and also be very usable.
We have areas that are utilitarian... not pretty. One of those areas is between our two large pine trees where we store our trash and recycling cans.
I'd much rather look at an old picket fence than at the trash cans, so when we found an old one for free, this was a perfect place for it.
At first, my guys didn't think it was necessary, but we have all been glad to have those trash cans shielded a bit. I sure appreciated the work the guys did to make this old fence work here as they had to adjust the size of it and anchor it into the ground.
From the deck, we can look out to the back garden with the gray picket fence and also see the picket fence in front of the trash cans.
I added hostas in front of the fence to give color and interest to the area. The pine trees drop pine needles which forms a pretty brown carpet and makes a natural mulch for the hostas.
Here, you can see the fence between the two trees and the hostas in front of it. Other stuff that we need to deal with is behind that fence and you can see it a little. I am so glad it is behind the fence where it isn't obvious.
We also found that this is a good place to put a thermometer since it is in the shade much of the day.
Are the trash cans totally hidden? No, they can still be seen, but the picket fence in front allows your eye to flow over them rather than to be drawn to them.
This next picture shows some of our garden areas... and at the far right you can see the trash cans with the picket fence in front of them.
At the back is the new little courtyard patio that I blogged about here:
Table Top Becomes Courtyard Patio!
The wonderful raised garden beds are in this post:
New Raised Garden Beds
The picket fence around the back garden was also an old fence we reused when someone else was done with it. There are lots of ways to use an old picket fence in the garden or yard. I love having it around my garden and shielding the trash cans, but it can also be used as an accent for a flower bed or to add interest to a boring corner of the yard.
If you have a chance to get some picket fence, it doesn't have to be in perfect shape to work well and look nice.... these have been in use in our yard for several years and they were old when we got them. They still have many years of use left in them. Sometimes a picket needs to be replaced, and we do it, but for the most part, they are fine out there with not much care at all once it is in place and I like that. I don't want to have a lot of yard items that need lots of care.
Do you have a section you want to "hide"? A picket fence could work, but something else could also... this is a time to think "outside the box" and be creative. A trellis with vines growing on it would also work....at least in the summer and fall months. What solution have you used in your yard to hide something? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments.
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I love the picket fence upcycle. Now you have me thinking about how I can hide my trash cans. Very inspirational post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I do like to start thinking creatively about things... a little idea can lead us to even more great ideas. :) Thank you so much for visiting and commenting. I hope you figure out a great way to hide your cans.
DeleteWhat a beautiful yard you have! Love the fact that you put your cans behind the fence, it looks very quaint that way. Hope you have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteThank you... love your comment. :) I like to use what I can w/o spending much money... it is amazing what can work well. :)
DeleteI love looking at pictures of your beautiful back yard! It is like an oasis and seems like a wonderful place to go and pray. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you... it is a nice spot to be outside and spend time admiring God's creation. :)
DeleteThat makes the backyard look perfect. It's the little things that matter! We live in the city too and we've decided to love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you... I do like it and those little things do matter, but are easy to overlook. :) We are enjoying living in the city.. until God allows us to move to a couple of acres somewhere... whenever He does... and if He does. I am determined to be content where he has us. :)
DeleteI really enjoyed seeing your garden and how you disguised your trash receptacles. I have a Gardens Galore Party that opened yesterday. I would love for you to share this post! Lin-up party is every other Monday throughout the summer. Yesterday was the second one!
ReplyDeleteThank you... it is working well. :) I will check out your link party... and I look forward to it.
DeleteHaha great minds! I have reclaimed picket fencing for JUST this purpose!
ReplyDeleteI love it! :)
DeleteThanks so much for sharing at Gardens Galore! Blessings~
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome ... and thank you for the party. :)
DeleteThis is a great solution! My trash cans are exposed so I have taken note. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThank you,.. it is working well for us... and I hope you figure out the perfect solution for you also. :)
DeleteLooks great and FREE is awesome! I have been looking for someway to hide my outdoor trash can also.
ReplyDelete:) gwingal
Free is pretty amazing... :) I like how this can add some "dignity" to a very utilitarian part of the yard. :)
DeleteA picket fence makes anything look charming in my book--great solution! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
ReplyDeleteSo true... there is just something about those pickets all standing in a row. :)
DeleteGreat idea for hiding the trash cans! Thank you for sharing this at Make it Pretty! Have a lovely weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteThank you... and thank you for the party. :)
DeleteThat's a great idea. We hope to have a cement pad built and then fenced sort of like yours. For now, we put them in the garage.
ReplyDeleteA cement pad and fence sounds great... ours are just on the dirt/pine needles under the tree.... that works because grass/weeds don't grow w/ the pine needles, so we don't have to do weed trimming there.. but cement sounds wonderful. :)
DeleteThis is such a clever idea. I didn't even notice they were there.
ReplyDeleteThank you... that's what we were hoping for... glad it worked. :)
DeleteI have lots of repurposed items in my garden. My husband and I both enjoy finding these treasures and, like you, I like them to have some age as it adds character. Love the picket fence and your whole garden area is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you.. and so good to do in a time when so much is thrown away.. many times things in great condition, but a different color or style is wanted... those items still have a lot of use left in them. :)
DeleteThe picket fence is the perfect way to turn an eye sore into a pretty place!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
I do like picket fences. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThis is such a great idea. We live in a development and every time I drive into the driveway, I look at our trash cans. I'll have to see if we can do something like this..
ReplyDeleteIt does make it a bit nicer not to have to see those very important cans. :)
Delete