We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Before: Blue Blemish
Recycling is a good deed (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
To add polish to her yard and a hiding place for the bright blue recycling containers, this homeowner fashioned a nifty cover from spare 2×4 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
Our friends at the gas and electric companies don’t always have the greatest taste in gadgets. Their meters are pretty unsightly.
Afte: Clever Curb Appeal
A neat, slatted screen comes together quickly with a brad nailer, plywood, and 2×4 boards—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
A garden hose gets tangled and dirty just lying like a snake in the grass, and detracts from your yard’s beauty.
After: Get Growing
This homeowner built a neat wooden box to hold the hose, then topped it with a lid that features recessed planter. The flowering plants disguise the purpose of the container and add color to the landscape.
Before: Uncool Cooling Unit
This incredible hulk is a genius at cooling your home during the steamy season, but let’s face it: the rest of the year it looks pretty monstrous.
Related: New Front Doors Change Everything in 4 Entryway Before-and-Afters
After: No-See AC
A creative use of segmented wood 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
On many homes, the utility meter sticks out like a very sore thumb. Whose home is painted that drab institutional gray, after all?
After: Camouflaged with Color
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).
Related: Hard Sell: 7 Pretty House Colors That Scare Buyers Away
Before: Chipped Paint
Painting a less-than-lovely cinder block 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.
Related: Before and After: DIY Facelifts for 8 Home Exteriors
After: Fresh Facade
A product called Ledgestone is designed just for spruce-up jobs such as this. It comes in easy-to-use sheets, but you’ll need a diamond blade saw to cut the edges to fit. Epoxy and a sealant keep the whole thing together.
Related: No-Fail Exterior Paint Colors
Before: Unsightly Septic Tank
The concrete lid of a septic tank is definitely an eyesore in this otherwise verdant landscape.
After: Secret Garden
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, surrounded by more mulch, and a pretty bird feeder top it all off. Guests will never know what’s lurking below.
Master of Disguise
Necessary evils don’t have to look the part.
Practical Gifts They'll Love
Our editors take pride in their gift-giving skills—and these are their top suggestions for DIYers, plant parents, new homeowners, and more.