this suncast plastic storage unit is perfect for hiding wheelie bins

The art of hiding wheelie bins is all about finding ways to put the unsightly containers we all love to hate behind something beautiful. While it may not seem like the easiest thing to do, the good news is that we are full of innovative, stylish and cheap ideas to hide wheelie bins. From using trellis to hide wheelie bins to plants, decorative screens and more, read on as we discuss.

Is there really a need for hiding wheelie bins?

Hiding wheelie bins is all about reducing clutter and boosting your garden’s aesthetics in a way that makes you feel right at home. After all, no one really wants to be sitting outside in the summer only to see a messy black bin out of the corner of their eye in their outdoor space. This gets worse if dozens of flies are flying around the outside, as it certainly spoils the ambience.

Options like this sleek 1200L plastic bin store are becoming increasingly popular with discerning homeowners who want to be able to set the tone the right way. You can think of it as a vanishing trick that a magician would be proud of if you like, and the results really will speak for themselves.

photo of a red-brick house with 9 dustbins outside (1 knocked on its side) - the owners clearly need some ideas to hide wheelie bins
photo of a red-brick house with 9 dustbins outside (1 knocked on its side) - the owners clearly need some ideas to hide wheelie bins

Plastic bin stores are just one option though, and there are plenty of other cheap ideas to hide wheelie bins which we will cover in this guide.

this toomax plastic storage unit is ideal for hiding wheelie bins
this toomax plastic storage unit is ideal for hiding wheelie bins
Toomax Extra Large Grey 1200L Plastic Wheelie Bin Store - Click Image to View
this Keter plastic storage unit is ideal for hiding wheelie bins
this Keter plastic storage unit is ideal for hiding wheelie bins
5' x 3' Keter Hideaway Large 1200L Wheelie Bin Store (1.46m x 0.82m) - Click Image to View

How to hide wheelie bins with plants

You can use an elegant decorative trellis with climbing plants to hide wheelie bins if you do not feel like trying to wedge them inside your trusty choice of bike storage. The key is to select plants that:

trellis is one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
trellis is one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
Forest 6' x 6' Heavy Duty Square Garden Trellis Fence Panel (1.83m x 1.83m) - Click Image to View
  • Are simple to prune - so you can keep them looking their best
  • Climb naturally - and are quick and easy to train around the trellis
  • Density – choose dense plants, which are dense and fully hide the wheelie bins (e.g. creeping fig, ivy, and wisteria, etc.)
  • Evergreen – select evergreen climbers (e.g. honeysuckle, ivy, star jasmine, etc.)
  • Flower at a different time - of the year to your other plants to add some colour

Wisteria or clematis are both viable options for how to hide wheelie bins with plants. Perfect when you want to be able to add an extra touch of greenery to your outdoor spaces while keeping those dirty bins at bay. Additionally, climbing plants like wisteria or clematis can be grown on trellis panels to create a green screen or disguise unsightly areas in the garden.

plants such as wisteria is one of our cheap ideas to hide wheelie bins
plants such as wisteria is one of our cheap ideas to hide wheelie bins
plants such as clematis is one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
plants such as clematis is one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins

Using trellis to hide wheelie bins

If you want to use trellis to hide wheelie bins and start concealing wheelie bins in your garden, then you can get started a lot easier than you might think. Trellis is so lightweight and versatile that it is just as easy to install as a standard piece of 3’ high fencing. Here are our top tips on using trellis to hide wheelie bins:

  • Add an extra 2ft of trellis - on either side to improve angular coverage
  • Measure up - by marking out the footprint of your wheelie bins
  • Mount the trellis - on a backboard or pair of securely set wooden posts
  • Put them in a corner - if possible, to reduce the visual impact
trellis is one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
trellis is one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
Forest 6' x 4' Rosemore Pressure Treated Diamond Lattice (1.8m x 1.2m) - Click Image to View

If we had to take our pick of all the climbers that would look the part, it would have to be wisteria. The free-flowing lines it follows and the beautiful light purple it offers are two things you are sure to fall in love with.

decorative screens are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
decorative screens are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Vertical Slatted Garden Screen Panel (1.8m x 1.8m) - Click Image to View

Ideas to hide wheelie bins with decorative screens

Decorative bin screens are another way to hide wheelie bins quickly and easily that anyone with only modest DIY experience will be able to tackle. The beauty of this approach is that rather than buying dedicated wheelie bin storage, you have the freedom to make your own and get it exactly how you like it.

Balancing elements out by matching to the overall theme of your garden is important. If you have a garden office out there with a traditional look, go for a thin lattice style of trellis to continue the countryside theme. You could even have it, so it is mounted off the side wall of the office, allowing you to hide your bins at the foot of the garden with ease.

Other cheap ideas to hide wheelie bins

In addition to using plants, trellis, and decorative screens, here are some additional ideas on how to hide wheelie bins cost-effectively:

An unwanted sheet of plywood

This could be treated, painted with chalkboard paint, and turned into a mural that the little ones can change whenever the mood takes them.

Building a picket fence

Around your bins, you could build a picket fence and then train climbers to fill in the gaps. This natural method will add some serious countryside charm!

picket fences are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
picket fences are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
Forest 6' x 3' Pressure Treated Contemporary Picket Fence Panel (1.83m x 0.9m) - Click Image to View

Create a stick fence

This has an eclectic look and feel to it and will help hide those bins and give you a craft project you can enjoy with the kids!

stick fences are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
stick fences are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins

Wheelie bin covers

These are a great DIY solution, offering a beautiful and bespoke way to fit in with any garden, driveway, or patio.

 

The beauty of taking a DIY approach and leaning into your love of crafting is that you can give the rest of the garden something to smile about. Imagine seeing the children’s mural lit up at night with a little help from outdoor solar lighting and you will know exactly what we are talking about.

Integrating wheelie bin storage into garden design

Something as simple as adding a section of 3ft pressure treated picket fencing that frames your bins is a great way to get started. You could then train some climbers to work their way around the new fencing to create a bin storage solution that becomes a real feature. A wooden bin store can also be a stylish and functional solution, keeping local wildlife at bay by being lockable and preventing entry points for rodents and pests.

Others like to go even further with a purpose-built red brick wall in an L-shape around the bins. Not only does this add some charm and traditional style, but it also creates a highly durable solution that will last for many years to come.

And for those who simply cannot get enough greenery, why not grow a hedge around three sides of your wheelie bins? It will grow quickly, extend the green-fingered theme of the garden, and attract plenty of wildlife to look at. Perfect when you want a space that really does look the part in more ways than one.

picket fences are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
picket fences are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
Forest 6' x 3' Heavy Duty Pressure Treated Pale Picket Fence Panel (1.8m x 0.9m) - Click Image to View

Final thoughts

Hiding wheelie bins is something that you only start to think about when the rest of your garden is sorted, but that does not mean you have to make do. There is a whole host of cheap ideas to hide wheelie bins for you to look at, and each one has its plus points. All you must do now is take a second look, think about how they would work in your garden, and then get to work on your next project. Enjoy!

hedges are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins
hedges are one of our ideas to hide wheelie bins

Contact us

Use our trusty little contact form to reach out to a member of our team and they will only be so happy to guide you through your options for how to hide wheelie bins. Just what you want to hear when it is all about creating the green oasis you will never want to leave. Get in touch, ask us anything, and then enjoy seeing your green space come to life. We are also available on 0333 003 0518, as well as on live text chat via our app.