Are those pesky trash can and recycle bins an eye sore outside of your house?  Do they turn over from winds?

We had both of these issues and only one solution, make a DIY trash can hideaway with an easy paver ground cover.

DIY trash can hideaway:

Basic Materials:

1×6 pressure treated boards

4×4 pressure treated posts

post hole diggers

galvanized screws

wood spacer (sized accordingly to the spacing you want between the horizontal boards)

Decorative post caps, we used these – DeckoRail Post Cap

Pavers (color and size of your choice) – we used left over pavers from our patio

This project is pretty quick and simple.  The first step is to make the holes for your 3 posts.  We used 4x4x6 posts and felt that 1.5 feet in the ground was sufficient without mortaring around the posts.

Second, attach the post caps on top of your 4×4 posts so you can appropriately start your first board spaced the same distance that each board will be apart from each other.  Ours are approximately 1 inch apart.

Next, measure your 1×6 board from the far edge of one post to the edge of the second post.  Attached the first board 1 inch from the base of the post cap with galvanized wood screws.  I recommend starting on the side of the hideaway so that the front view won’t show the seam where the boards meet at the center post.

Use a spacer (we used scrap wood, 1 inch in height), to place under your first board, place the second board flush to this spacer and attach one side.  Move the spacer to the second side and attach.  Continue this process on this side of the hideaway.

For the second side, you’ll measure from the edge of the post to the edge of the first board you attached to the side.  We recommend you take measurements of each board and make cuts accordingly as there are slight differences per wood inconsistencies.

If you want a natural look, allow the treated wood to dry out (approximately 1 month) and clear coat or stain.  If you wish to paint, also allow for the wood to dry out and first prime with an oil based kilz prior to painting it to match your trim.

Lastly, level out the ground area within the trash can hideaway and lay out your pavers for a smooth surface for your trash and recycle to rest.

Please see this DIY deck skirt tutorial if you want to carry over this look of shiplap to create a storage space under your deck.