Hide The Eyesore Of An Outdoor Garden Hose With A DIY Storage Solution

The garden hose represents a common compromise many of us have to make between our outdoor space's looks and utility. On one hand, we need unimpeded access for convenient hose removal, movement, and replacement, making smart solutions like a DIY storage stand a huge benefit around hard-to-reach spigots. On the other, pulling the hose out into the open doesn't make for the most attractive addition to the yard. Typically, it seems like you have to choose between the aesthetics and the function, but with one savvy innovation, you won't have to make any sacrifices on either side. What's the simple secret? A holder that pulls the garden hose into the open but also hides it behind a decorative panel!

This stylish DIY solution involves a wood panel staked into the ground to hold up the hose reel on the backside. Using spare boards and rebar stakes, creating a durable, fashionable storage piece is effortless. Plus, your finished product will add enough space for an attractive highlight like colorful hanging plants on the exposed side. Smarter hose storage doesn't just save you from an unsightly blight on your landscaping; it can even make your backyard look better!

This great outdoor project to repurpose old pallets, decking, and other spare wood requires several pieces of lumber and two lengths of rebar to stake the panel into the ground. Measure the hose on its hook or reel so you can plan a larger panel to conceal it. You'll use two support posts, such as 4-by-4 or 2-by-4 pieces, to make the panel. They can be 4-by-4 posts, such as fence posts, or 2-by-4 lumber. Ensure it's outdoor-rated, whether it's pressure-treated or a naturally durable wood like cedar. Although some may worry over chemicals leaching into the soil, pressure-treated wood can work if it is newer lumber that uses safer treatments and isn't going near edible plants.

Drill a hole in one end of each post, making it wide and deep enough to snugly fit half a piece of rebar. The other half of the rebar projecting from the end will stick in the ground to hold the post upright. Cut the panel boards to an equal length and lay them across the supports. Secure the boards to the supports with project-appropriate fasteners, like corrosion-resistant stainless steel or decking screws. With the panel built, position it as desired and hammer the posts to drive the rebar stakes into the ground. Finish by attaching the hose holder to the backside and adding a fun decoration, like a hanging plant, lantern, or wreath, to the front.