Trash Can Enclosure Plans
Trash can sheds are a great way to hide your garbage cans during the week. With this design you can simply raise the lid of the shed when you want to toss trash away. When trash day arrives, you open the front door of the shed and wheel the bin to the curb.
Dimensions: 81 wide, 46 deep, and 57-1/4 tall.
This project is built with material that is readily available at any of the major big box stores. The plan includes the following:
- A detailed list of raw materials, consumables, and quantities needed of each.
- 19 detailed but easy to follow steps which walk you through the entire construction of the shed
- All assembly steps are color coded for easy tracking and understanding.
- Fully dimensioned CAD diagrams to eliminate any guess work
In addition to the plans I have also provided a summary video of the build for free on my YouTube channel found HERE.
$9.99
Free Plans For Trash Enclosures
The Renovation Headquarters website offers free, downloadable plans for trash enclosures and also for combo enclosures if you would like to add firewood in the same storage area.
Canadian Home Workshop offers a detailed project plan for a trash enclosure that covers materials, tools and step-by-step instructions. You can even print the plans to keep with you as you work. You wouldn’t want to get sawdust on your laptop, after all.
The City of Anaheim, Calif., also posts its requirements for trash enclosures online. It helps residents understand what is and is not allowed, but it also serves as a blueprint for anyone want to build an enclosure.
- Do I have the skills necessary to do a quality job?
- Do I have the tools needed, or will I need to purchase them?
- Do I have the time this project will take?
Assemble Trash Can Cover Frame
After both frames were assembled, I cut three more 2x4s to put the two frames together.
I simply screwed these in place using 3 decking screws. You could also use pocket holes here if you didnt want to see the screw headsthats whats shown in the plans. But I was running low on Blue Kote screws and my order for new ones hadnt arrived yet. I would have preferred pocket holes here, but it is what it is.
I installed two of these 2x4s at the top and one on the back edge towards the bottom. I didnt install this all the way at the bottom, so the board wouldnt be sitting on the groundjust to help protect it from moisture.
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Diy Garbage Can Enclosure Hide Your Trash Cans Outdoors
After a year of doing DIY projects in a cramped garage that smelled like trash, we decided it was time to kick the garbage cans outside. Between a strict HOA and a desire to not stare at the ugly trash cans, we decided to build a simple garbage can enclosure.
This DIY trash can enclosure has room for both a trash can and recycling can, its permanently installed so you dont have to worry about it blowing away, and it has an open top so that you can add trash without opening the door.
You can knock it out in a weekend and finally hide your trash cans once and for all!
The final exterior measurements of our trash enclosure were approximately 73.25 deep, 34.5 wide, and 51.5 tall. The interior measurements were approximately 69.5 deep and 31.75 wide.
Our trash and recycling cans are each approximately 28 wide x 31.5 deep x 69.5 high. If yours are larger, you might need to adjust the measurements accordingly.
Alright, lets start DIYing.
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STEP 1: CLEAR A SPOT FOR YOUR TRASH ENCLOSURE
If you have an HOA, make sure to check the guidelines and get the necessary approval before beginning any exterior project. For ours, the structure was supposed to blend into the house so we opted to paint it the same color as the rest of the house.
Once you have the green light, you can clear a spot for your trash enclosure. For us that meant removing a few brushes and some mulch.
How To Build An Outdoor Garbage Box
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Hi beauties!
Just want to throw together a post on the outdoor garbage box storage unit that my husband through together for us last weekend. It is super easy to follow and only took a few hours to make.
We love having this DIY outdoor garbage box because it frees up so much space in our garage! We use to store all our garbage bags in the garage before we put together this box. This box allows us to put the garbage out at the road side without worrying about animals getting into it! #CountryLivingProblems
The best part about this wood garbage box is that the garbage men know to go right into it to get out the garbage bags! Which is actually so nice of them.. one less thing we have to do on garbage day!
This garbage box holds up to 3 garbage bags at a time.. or two plus a recycling bin.
So without further ranting about how amazing this wood box is and why you should build on.. ill get right into it for you!
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Assemble The Doors And Lids
Because the framing pieces for the roof lids are not screwed to one another, the roof frames are held together only by the sheathing attached to them. So to build the roof lids, you need to assemble the frame, then keep it aligned and square until the sheathing is screwed down. For this you’ll need a jig, a template that surrounds the frame pieces and secures them. Screw 2x4s, square to each other, along the corner of your work surface to act as the first stops.
Instead of building separate lids, build one solid roof and cut it in three. Cut two deck boards to 80 inches and lay them parallel and against the stops. Between these two rails, evenly space four deck boards cut to 20 inches. Screw scrap wood to the table, tight against the frame, to complete the jig.
Cut enough siding boards to fit across the frame, making them 37 inches long. As with the siding, dry-fit the pieces. Make sure that a seam doesn’t fall on a middle framing board.
Rip the first board down to size on the groove side. Starting at the left side, glue and nail the board to the frame with its tongue facing to the right and the bottom edge flush with the frame.
Install the rest of the roof sheathing in the same manner as on the sides. Face-nail the last board.
S For Building A Trash Shed
Flip-open lids give it easy access so that you can quickly toss something away in the right place. Bifold front doors make it easy to move heavy cans in and out.
And handsome siding that matches the house camouflages the whole structure. That means you can put it right up against the house and the focus will still be on the beauty of your home instead of the trash around it.
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Trash Bin Storage: Hang A Cute Curtain
If your pantry is more like an exposed closet in your kitchen, do yourself a favor and tuck your dried goods, cleaning supplies and trash bin out of sight by simply installing a breezy curtain. Not only will it disguise your trash bin and pantry essentials, but it will add a sleek look to the space overall.
Once youve got your curtain up, check out these clever kitchen cabinet and pantry storage ideas.
Install Side Panel Door & Roof Slats
Once the paint was dry, I cut and installed 1×4 slats across the side panels. I installed these with 1 ¼ decking screws at the top and bottom. Since the sides were slanted, I cut each consecutive slat ½ longer as I worked toward the back.
Then, I did the same for the door. I centered these boards over the opening and screwed in place.
Finally, I added the roof slats the same way. I left about 3/16-¼ gaps between the roof slats to help with water drainage, although most of the water should run off since I slanted the top.
I should have stained these before I installed them, but I couldnt decide if I liked them better with just a clear coat or if I wanted to stain them. After thinking way too long about it, I finally decided I thought it would look better stained. So I stained the top boards and the door and side slats with Minwax Early American.
Then I brushed on some Minwax Helmsman clear coat over all of the unpainted woodboth inside and outside. I clear coated everything to protect it from moisture. Again, I know this will eventually rot, but if protected well, it will last as long as we probably need it to while we live here.
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How To Build A Trash Can Enclosure
Building the floor frame
The first step of the project is to build the frame of the floor. Cut the components at the right dimensions and lock them together, as described in the free plans. Drill pilot holes through the rim joists and insert 2 1/2 screws into the perpendicular components. Leave no gaps between the components and make sure the corners are right angled.
Fitting the vertical supports
Next, fit the 2×4 posts to the framing. Drill pilot holes through the components and secure them to the frame using 2 1/2 screws. Use a spirit level to plumb the posts before inserting the screws.
Fitting the decking
Next, fit the 1×6 decking boards to the floor frame, as described in the diagram. Place a piece of 1/2 plywood between the boards to make sure there are even gaps between the components.
Make notches to the decking boards placed at both ends of the floor. Smooth the edges with fine-grit sandpaper and remove the residues with a damp cloth.
Fitting the horizontal supports
Fit the 2×4 supports to the frame of the enclosure. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the supports and insert 2 1/2 screws into the vertical posts. Make sure the corners are right angled before inserting the screws.
Lettice panels
Fit lattice panels to the trash can enclosure. Use staples to lock the panels to the frame, as shown in the diagram.
Building the door
Fitting the top trims
Door panel
Trash can enclosure
For This Trash Can Cover You Will Need:
- Hinges and Latch
- Exterior Finish As Desired
NOTE: If you want this to last practically forever, Id recommend using treated wood or cedar, but our current home is a temporary living situation and we probably wont need it for too long, so I used regular untreated lumber. I did finish it with outdoor sealers and paint, though, so it should still last us at least a couple years, especially if I reapply finish each year.
Also Check: How To Remove Paint From Wood Floor Without Damaging Finish
Build The Back Crosspiece Supports
To follow the pitch of the roof, the back crosspiece sits slightly tilted inside the side frames.
To create the angled supports for it to sit on, place a scrap 2×4 on edge on the ground and stand a 2×4 on top of it, then mark the angle of the roof support onto the upright board. The scrap 2×4 represents the space taken up by the back crosspiece. Cut the 2×4 at this angle at the mark. Make a second support for the other side.
Secure the supports, flush with the base, inside the side frames using 2½-inch deck screws.
Cut two 15-inch pieces of 2×4 and screw them to the bottom of the angled supports, flush with the base.
Finish Trash Can Cover Parts Separately
Once the box frame and the door frame were together, I applied a couple coats of exterior grade primer and paint. Its a lot easier to paint now than later after I add the slats.
If you plan to stain or paint the slats as well, I suggest doing that now as wellI didnt and it made it much harder later on.
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Install The Front Doors
Install a 30-inch piano hinge between the pairs of doors, knuckle facing the inside framing. Rest each bifold door on a scrap piece of siding as you attach it to the inside edges of the opening, thus leaving a ¾-inch gap at the base. Use two 4-inch door hinges on each side.
Attach a scrap 2×4 near the top of each door framing with a single 2½-inch screw. When the doors are closed, lift the lids to spin these blocks behind the front crosspiece and lock the doors.
How To Build A Diy Trash Can Enclosure
The following instructions assume that you have first designed your bin store and after measuring up have created a detailed plan with a cutting guide to ensure the store fits your space and requirements.Top Tip: When completing outdoor projects, always ensure you have a solid, flat area to work on i.e. not a lawn or uneven or sloped path.
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How To Hide Garbage Cans Outside: Hide Behind Trees
If you landscape around your outdoor trash bin, you can keep it accessible and yet out of site from the backyard. Here, a lattice panel and several trees discreetly hide the trash. If hiding the outdoor trash is only a concern when the weather is warm enough to be out in the yard, you can repurpose large indoor floor plants as trash bin hiders and then bring them in when the temps drop. Be sure to weight down the pots so they dont tip over when its windy.
Beautiful Trash Can Enclosure Ideas
Posted by Vivian McNeil on
Strolling along a quiet suburban street is certainly a relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the spring. Sometimes you may get a good idea to fix up your own home while admiring the houses of other families. Interestingly, the simplest homes sometimes look neater than the fancier ones. This is because a big object for sore eyes is the protruding outdoor trash can.
Good and sturdy outdoor trash can liners do a great job in keeping the inside of the trash can clean. Lining your heavy-duty trash can with a complimenting heavy duty trash bag does the trick in keeping the smelly slimy liquids from escaping from your kitchen and bathroom garbage bags that you bring outside. However, the outdoor trash cans themselves are still not pleasant to look out in an otherwise pristine setting.
New homeowners spend so much of their savings fixing up their homes interior, buying furniture and even landscaping with professionals. Some professional landscapers do suggest camouflaging the trash cans. However, they might not want to get involved in being the cause of this extra expense. There are many innovative ways that a homeowner can creatively hide trash cans from plain sight and at the same time have easy access to them when they need to put out the garbage for the garbagemen.
Cedar Trash Can Enclosures
Lattice Work Trash Can Enclosures
Buying Ready Made Trash Can Enclosures
Trees & Bushes Can Hide Your Trash Cans
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Projects Made From These Plans
- A 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber 66 long, 5 pieces 27 long FRAME
- B 2 piece of 2×4 lumber 59 long, 2 pieces 66 long POSTS
- C 2 pieces of 2×4 63 long, 6 pieces 66 long FLOOR
- D 2 piece of 2×4 lumber 63 long BEAMS
- E 5 pieces of 2×4 lumber 36 long RAFTERS
- F 4 pieces of 1×2 lumber 69 long SUPPORTS
- G 2 pieces of 1×6 lumber 70 1/2 long, 2 pieces 36 1/4 long TRIMS
- H 10 pieces of 1×4 lumber 70 1/2 long, 20 pieces 30 long WALLS
- I 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber 28 1/4 long, 1 piece 73 long, 2 pieces 40 long TRIMS
- 18 pieces of 2×4 lumber 8
- 23 piece of 1×4 lumber 8
- 4 pieces of 1×2 lumber 8
- 3 pieces of 1×6 lumber 8
- 100 pieces of 2 1/2 / 3 screws
- 100 pieces of 1 5/8 screws
Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level
Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander
Post hole digger, Concrete mixer
Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses
Diy Trash Can Enclosure Plans And Ideas
09-18-22Joe HatsDIY Projects
Whether you call it garbage or trash, you need a place to put it, and a can is an answer. Yet while we all deal with these practical containers, no one really wants to see them. Thats why weve collected these 18 plans for hiding your trash cans, including screens, sheds, and multipurpose enclosure options. No matter your budget or DIY expertise, youre sure to find inspiration that will have your yard looking better in as little as a day!
Not only does this simple design hide your trash bin from sight, but it also adds a sturdy, flat surface on which to set your trash or recycling bins. It requires just two hours to complete, one for prep and one for assembly. The simplicity of this design means its best if you only need to hide your garbage can from one angle and dont want the screen to serve any other purpose. However, you can spruce it up with paint or climbing plants if youd like.
To make your own screen, youll need wood for the base and to frame the lattice. If you measure twice and cut once, you can practically wing this design without any plans. However, designer Sean gives invaluable advice when he reminds the reader to make sure the frame fits around the tops of the cans.
Get ready to put your woodworking skills to the test, however. This might be the most ambitious project featured here!
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