---
title: "7 Ways to Hide the Ugly Things Your House Can’t Do Without"
date: "2016-04-01"
modified: "2020-11-25"
authors:
  - name: "Debra Immergut"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/debra-immergut/"
url: "https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/7-ways-to-hide-the-ugly-things-your-house-can-t-do-without-49997/"
categories:
  - "Curb Appeal"
  - "Exterior"
tags:
  - "decor"
  - "exteriors"
---

# 7 Ways to Hide the Ugly Things Your House Can’t Do Without

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slat_ac_after_1-1.jpg>)

### Before: Blue Blemish

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/air_cond.jpg>)
*theartofdoingstuff.com*

Recycling is a [good deed](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-recycle-at-home/>) (and it’s the law in many U.S. locales), but it does raise a question: where to put the extra bins needed to sort the trash?

### After: Boxed In

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/d1a3207fca74c97a43298fc42ed91da1.jpg>)
*theartofdoingstuff.com*

To add polish to her yard and a hiding place for the bright blue recycling containers, this homeowner fashioned a nifty cover from spare 2x4 boards that she had left over from building a chicken coop. She screwed it together and stained it an attractive dark brown.

### Before: Ghastly Gadgets

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/diy-wood-screen-14.jpg>)
*remodelaholic.com*

Our friends at the gas and [electric companies](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/wiring-a-breaker-box/>) don’t always have the greatest taste in gadgets. Their meters are pretty unsightly.

### Afte: Clever Curb Appeal

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/diy-wood-screen-18.jpg>)
*remodelaholic.com*

A neat, slatted screen comes together quickly with a brad nailer, plywood, and [2x4 boards](<https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-surprisingly-simple-woodworking-projects-for-beginners-46626/>)—and even features the home’s address number as well. Before you attempt a similar project, be sure you understand your local utility company’s needs for clearance around and access to the meters.

### Before: All Tangled Up

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/hose_hiding_planter_before_tml.jpg>)
*thatsmyletter.blogspot.com*

A garden hose gets tangled and dirty just lying like a snake in the grass, and detracts from your yard’s [beauty](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/low-maintenance-landscaping/>).

### After: Get Growing

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/hose_hiding_planter_2_pieces_tml.jpg>)
*thatsmyletter.blogspot.com*

This homeowner built a neat wooden box to hold the hose, then topped it with a lid that features recessed planter. The [flowering plants](<https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/plants-not-to-grow-in-your-yard/>) disguise the purpose of the container and add color to the landscape.

### Before: Uncool Cooling Unit

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/old_ac_ugliness.jpg>)
*house-pet.blogspot.com*

This incredible hulk is a genius at cooling your home during the [steamy season](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/lawn-game-trends/>), but let’s face it: the rest of the year it looks pretty monstrous.

### After: No-See AC

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slat_ac_after_1.jpg>)
*house-pet.blogspot.com*

A creative use of segmented [wood](<https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/21-clever-little-things-to-do-with-scrap-wood-49986/>) slats creates a truly eye-pleasing screened cover for the AC unit. Steel rods at each corner allow the screen to hinge and fold away for winter storage. This DIY project is a bit labor-intensive, but the results make it worth it.

### Before: Beat Up Back Door

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Backdoor-3-Two-Days-Ago.jpg>)
*younghouselove.com*

On many homes, the utility meter sticks out like a very sore thumb. Whose home is painted that drab institutional [gray](<https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/editors-picks-the-9-greatest-grays-for-your-next-paint-job-49430/>), after all?

### After: Camouflaged with Color

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Backdoor-10-5-With-Deck.jpg>)
*younghouselove.com*

Simply take a cue from the chameleons and paint the box to match the surrounding wall. Suddenly, the offensive box just blends into the scenery. Use rust-resistant outdoor paint (and consider checking with your utility company before painting).

### Before: Chipped Paint

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/scraping-paint.jpg>)
*akadesign.ca*

Painting a less-than-lovely [cinder block](<https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/13-projects-that-prove-why-diyers-love-cinder-blocks-48024/>) foundation helps a little bit, but it’s not a long-lasting fix—and when the paint begins to peel, it can really detract from a home’s curb appeal.

### After: Fresh Facade

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Foundation-Refacing.jpg>)
*akadesign.ca*

A product called Ledgestone is designed just for spruce-up jobs such as this. It comes in [easy-to-use sheets](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/installing-stone-veneer/>), but you’ll need a diamond blade saw to cut the edges to fit. Epoxy and a sealant keep the whole thing together.

### Before: Unsightly Septic Tank

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Screen_Shot_2016-03-31_at_10.54.11_PM.png>)
*freshcrush.com*

The concrete lid of a septic tank is definitely an eyesore in this otherwise verdant landscape.

### After: Secret Garden

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Screen_Shot_2016-03-31_at_10.52.23_PM.png>)
*freshcrush.com*

This clever gardener covered the lid with mulch, which can be easily swiped to one side when access to the tank is needed. A few [potted plants](<https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/the-12-inch-farm-12-foods-you-can-easily-grow-in-containers-47785/>), surrounded by more mulch, and a pretty bird feeder top it all off. Guests will never know what’s lurking below.

### Master of Disguise

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/7_Ways_to_Hide_the_Ugly_Things_Your_House_Cant_Do_Without.jpg>)
*bobvila.com*

Necessary evils don't have to look the part.

## Author
Formerly the Editor in Chief of [Parents.com](<https://www.parents.com>), Debra Immergut writes about homes and design for [The Wall Street Journal](<https://www.wsj.com>), [The Boston Globe](<https://www.bostonglobe.com>), and other leading publications. Ms. Immergut holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Michigan as well as Master's of Fine Arts degree from the Iowa's Writer's Workshop at the University of Iowa. Her first novel, [Captives](<https://www.amazon.com/Captives-Novel-Debra-Jo-Immergut/dp/0062747541/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535047440&sr=8-1&keywords=captives>), was published in 2018 by Harper Collins.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/debraimmergut>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-jo-immergut-33a60b12/>)