Rather than having ugly utility boxes outside your home, there are many different ways to cover them. For example, you can paint them a color that matches your decor, or plant tall ornamental grasses to hide them. Another option is to use a lattice screen.
Choosing the right color for your utility boxes is the equivalent of choosing a paint for your home. Luckily, the options are more affordable than you think. With a little ingenuity, you'll be able to beautify your property in no time. If you're lucky, you might even be able to recoup your design costs in the form of savings and/or tax incentives. You can also have fun with the design and make your neighbors jealous with a witty and well-planned cabinet scheme. You may even be able to hide a few unsightly things. Among them, are your exterior electrical outlets.
With a little planning, your utility boxes can be turned into decorative storage units for your garden hose and other gardening implements. Likewise, you can conceal your errant electrical cords with a few strategically placed hooks. A bonus is that you can now keep an eye on your prized possessions without having to worry about it.
A quick Google search is all it takes to find the best colors for your property. Using a professional is also a great way to ensure your new color scheme blends seamlessly with your existing decor.
Whether you're looking for a natural, low-maintenance way to conceal your utility boxes or just want a beautiful accent to your landscape, planting tall ornamental grasses can be a great way to achieve your landscaping goals. Many species are drought-tolerant and easy to care for, and many can even be grown in containers.
A number of these grasses grow extremely quickly. Some can even reach a full ten feet in height!
In addition to being very easy to grow, these plants are also highly versatile. Not only can you use them as a ground cover, but they can be planted in clumps to create a dramatic grouping. They are also great for creating a sheltered enclosure in larger spaces. They work well as a landscape element in bogs and ponds, and can help stabilize slopes.
If you're interested in adding an ornamental grass to your garden, consider the following types:
-Fountain grasses - These are large, fluffy seedheads with soft feathery plumes. These are often considered the gold standard for ornamental interest. These plants can be used with other lower-growing perennials to create a dazzling vertical accent.
Using a lattice screen to cover utility boxes is a great way to conceal unsightly objects around your home. In addition, it can provide privacy to your deck, patio, or balcony.
Aside from concealing your utility boxes, a lattice screen can also be a decorative feature. Use a screen that complements the color of your home. In addition to hiding your electric or water boxes, you can also install a screen for your propane tanks.
A lattice screen is also a great backdrop for climbing plants. For example, a trellis can support a fast growing vine such as trumpet vine. The trellis should be positioned far enough away from the utility box to allow easy access.
For an aesthetic touch, you can add a few faux flowers. If you have a garden, you can also add a garden statue in front of your trellis.
For a more economical solution, you can build your own screen out of wood. You can use pressure treated fence boards or scraps of wood to build a screen. For a nice touch, you can even paint it or stain it.
Adding a magnetic chalkboard to your utility box can be a simple way to hide and disguise an electrical panel. This cover can be used as a reminder board to keep track of important events, or a message center to share ideas with your family. You can even use it as a kid's chalkboard easel. This stylish design adds a rustic, country charm to any room.
The surface of a magnetic chalkboard is smooth and easy to write on, but it is also durable and resistant to stains. You can attach photos, notes, and other important reference materials. You can even paint your chalkboard to create a calendar or write phone numbers. The paint is available in green or gray.
You can choose from many different styles and sizes of magnetic chalkboards. You'll find larger boards that can be seen from virtually anywhere in the room, as well as smaller ones that are ideal for individual work areas. You'll also find whiteboards that are framed with built-in trays for chalk, making them great for collaborative concepts, business presentations, or scheduling ideas.
