Design Ideas for Unsightly Utility Boxes

Have you ever looked at your landscaping and thought something just wasn't right?  There's nothing really wrong with it, but it just doesn't look right for some reason.  This could be the culprit;



the utility boxes and cable boxes.  They may be painted to match your house or painted green to match the grass, but it doesn't really blend it.  Actually, they stick out like a sore thumb regardless of color.  Many HOA's force homeowners to hide things considered unsightly with landscaping, so should they. 

Contact the utility company and find out if the boxes used have been updated over the years to something smaller.  Maybe even ask if they can be moved to a different location within the yard if it's located some place odd.  If it cannot be moved or smaller ones aren't available; find out how close to the boxes your allowed to plant and the kind of plants allowed.  Using that information the decision on how to hide them can be made.  If plants aren't an option another alternative is to use covers that look like large boulders.  Once you decide how to hide them you can design the rest of the yard from there. 

You may consider putting a faux rock cover on the boxes then plant flowers around the rocks.  If they are close to your mail box include the mailbox in the design.  Maybe let a green flowering or none flowering (no thorns) vine grow on the mail box then make a three sided trellis for the utility box for the vine to grow.  Landscaping doesn't have to be on the ground only plants can be pruned to grow in any direction.  You can plant shrubs on three sides of a box then shape the shrubs to make an arch over the top and front of the box leaving the backside  exposed. 

If people hitting the boxes with their cars is a problem try hiding the boxes leaving enough of the top of the box exposed then attaching reflectors to the top of the box.  If done properly it could look like a small tree with lots of flowers on the top or a match, flashlight, or whatever you want.  The point is be creative and unique it will create interest and curb appeal.

It doesn't have to cost a lot of money to make small improvements like this.  But, the result will be so big that any other imperfections in the landscape may no longer be noticed.  The difference between something looking perfect and actually being perfect, is in the details.  It's the little things that have the biggest impact on the big picture.  Think of it as the fine print on a contract or a clean car with dirty windows and wheels.