Transform the Blight into a Focal Point: Camouflage Your Utility Box with Aesthetic Flair
Covering up that hideous utility box ruining your garden vibe? You got this! With these creative ideas, you'll transform that eyesore into a stylish feature without sacrificing functionality.
Landscaping Tricks for Hiding Utility Boxes
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Before you start planting around or building structures next to the utility box, examine the warnings posted on it carefully. Although it may seem fun to ignore those frightening electrocution notices, remember that you must keep a safe distance from the box for easy access. Check for underground cables, and contact the utility company if this information isn't provided.
Plants and structures built too close to the box can obstruct necessary airflow, be damaged during repairs, or even risk damaging underground cables. But don't despair! There are plenty of ways to hide utility boxes, keeping them accessible and safe.
Plant Pots to the Rescue
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A container garden is a smart choice for adding plants around a utility box without the risk of damaging underground cables. Opt for lightweight potting mix, and use casters if possible to make moving the containers easy. Taller and larger pots can accommodate taller plants, while long, narrow containers might house hedge plants, such as bamboo, small shrubs, or trellised vines.
Erect a Screen
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For extra protection, erect a beautiful screen. Whether it's an elegant lattice, a rustic DIY project, or even a movable screen made from old bifold closet doors, many design options are available. Ensure the structure is safe from the utility box and easily removable or open for access. Add a garden statue in front of the trellis and a few cute cottage garden flowers to create a captivating, low-maintenance garden setting.
Adventure with a Trellis
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A trellis adds a touch of charm while cleverly concealing a utility box. Select a decorative trellis that will stand out in the winter months, and place it far enough away from the box to ensure easy access. Fast-growing, flowering vines like trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) or clematis will fill in the trellis quickly with lush foliage and vibrant blossoms, providing year-round coverage.
Plant Shrubs Tactfully
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If you can plant around the utility box safely, consider installing a row of tall shrubs or small trees. Choose species with shallow root systems if cables are nearby. A neat row of arborvitae or boxwood will hide the utility box effectively, but a mix of evergreen and flowering shrubs offers both beauty and concealment. Mix up the heights, colors, and bloom times, and add a few annual or perennial flowers in front of the bushes for a pop of color.
Proliferate Ornamental Grasses
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Tall, wide, and dense ornamental grasses effectively hide utility boxes, plus they offer winter interest. The benefits of these grasses are two-fold: if cables won't need to be dug up for repairs, the grasses can simply be cut down. And with their rapid growth, they'll soon look as beautiful as ever.
Build a Storage Cabinet
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For utility boxes attached to walls, consider constructing a small cabinet to encase the box. A local carpenter or DIY enthusiast can install this cabinet, which can be stained or painted to match or complement the rest of your home. Alternatively, a larger cabinet could be built to cover the utility box and serve as storage for gardening tools or other items.
Conceal with a Faux Rock
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A faux rock cover is a quick and easy way to disguise a free-standing utility box. Measure the box before choosing a faux rock to ensure it fits properly. Keep in mind that utility companies may have specific guidelines regarding covering utility boxes, so it's essential to check with them first. Once installed, you can add some shallow-rooted annual flowers around the base for extra color.
Create a Fence Surround
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A section of an attractive picket fence can hide a utility box and offer an attractive backdrop for flowers or ornamental grasses. If privacy is a concern, consider constructing a privacy fence that can be painted to match other structures in your yard. Don't forget to install an access gate for easy maintenance if you're completely enclosing the utility box.
Remember, ensuring a safe distance from the utility box will allow for easy access during maintenance. If you can't determine the location of underground cables, contact the utility company for guidance. With these simple and stylish ideas, the ugly utility box will soon be out of sight and out of mind!
Taking Hide and Seek to a New Level
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Unleash your inner DIYer and use the ideas from this list to fashionably disguise your utility box. Whether you choose to incorporate plants, fences, screens, faux rocks, or easy-to-assemble cabinets, you'll transform that ugly, unassuming utility box into a beautiful garden feature. By focusing on design and functionality, your hide-and-seek prowess will amaze and inspire others!
The Gardener Behind the Magic
- Serena Manickam Serena Manickam is a freelance editor and writer who specializes in sustainable gardening and agriculture. She is passionate about no-spray vegetable and herb gardening, teaching others how to cultivate their own sustenance in a chemical-free environment. Located in rural Virginia, Serena operates a small market garden at Fairydiddle Farm, where she grows seasonal produce to sell at a local farmer's market.
- By using lightweight plant pots with casters, you can add plants around a utility box without damaging the cables beneath.
- To provide extra protection, consider installing a decorative lattice or thin screen, ensuring it's safely distanced from the box for easy access.
- A trellis adorned with fast-growing, flowering vines is a charming and effective way to camouflage the utility box, offering year-round coverage.
- Shrubs like arborvitae or boxwood can hide the utility box when planted around it, while a mix of evergreen and flowering shrubs adds both beauty and concealment.
- Tall, dense ornamental grasses can effectively hide utility boxes and provide winter interest, with the added benefit of being easily cut down if needed.
- If your utility box is attached to a wall, building a small wooden cabinet to encase it can both conceal its unsightly appearance and serve as storage for gardening tools or other items.
