Completed wooden trash enclosure built on a herringbone brick pad with a decorative arbor in the background, perfect for outdoor bin storage.

Build a Trash Can Fence and Hide Your Garbage

DIY, Garden & Yard

Tired of looking at your outdoor garbage cans? I built a simple DIY trash can fence to hide ours—and it made a huge difference in our curb appeal. This outdoor trash enclosure is an easy, affordable way to keep your bins out of sight while upgrading the look of your yard.

Woman proudly standing beside newly finished wood privacy fence built over a paver pad to hide trash bins, showing off DIY success.

Table of Contents

Tools & Materials for a DIY Trash Can Fence

Tools

Materials

Why You Should Build a Trash Can Fence

Over the last couple of summers, I’ve put so much energy into updating the front of our house. New landscaping, putting in sod, a gorgeous garden arbor, and more—but those big, ugly trash cans? Still sitting out front, totally stealing the spotlight (in the worst possible way). We had a small patch of grass next to the paver trailer pad, and it hit me—that would be the perfect spot for a trash can fence.

Four city-issued garbage and recycling bins lined up on the grass next to a paver driveway, awaiting a new enclosure.

How to Build a Base for Outdoor Trash Cans

First, I wanted to extend the pavers to give our garbage cans a nice, solid surface to sit on. Sure, we could’ve just plopped the trash can fence right onto the grass, but I knew a little paver pad would look so much more polished—and hold up better long-term.

We grabbed the shovel and my trusty garden tiller, then got to digging, removing several inches of dirt to prep for the pavers.

Woman digging up dirt to level ground and remove soil before laying a brick paver pad.
Couple working together to level and compact the dirt base using a pick axe and electric tiller for a DIY paver pad install.

Setting Posts for the Trash Can Fence

After leveling and tamping down some road base, it was time for posts. We used a post hole digger to dig three holes right along the edge of the trailer parking pad, then set pressure-treated 4x4s in place.

DIYer preparing post holes with a post hole digger to set wooden fence posts for a trash can enclosure project on a dirt and brick base.

To keep those fence posts rock solid, we mixed up some concrete and shoveled it into the holes. Don’t skip using a post level—crooked posts mean a crooked trash can fence, and no one wants that.

Concrete being poured around a 4x4 wood post to set it in place as part of a sturdy, freestanding privacy fence.
Bright orange post level tool used to align a pressure-treated wooden post while building a fence.

Adding Concrete Curbing and Laying Pavers

Once the concrete had set, I started on the concrete curbing to border our new paver pad. If you’ve been around here a while, you know I went a little concrete curbing crazy last summer. (I’ve got a full tutorial on that process right here if you want step-by-step instructions.)

Woman hammering rebar into the ground to secure wood framing for a DIY concrete curb to border a small paver patio.
Woman smoothing freshly poured concrete into a wooden curb form while building a defined trash enclosure pad.

After the curbing was set and the forms were removed, I added sand and laid the pavers. If you’re planning to lay pavers behind your trash can fence too, I’ve got a super detailed post to walk you through the whole paver process.

Woman using a wood board to screed the sand layer inside a concrete border, prepping the base for paver installation.
Woman installing brick pavers into a prepared sand base, carefully aligning the first row for a trash enclosure patio area.
Fully installed basket-weave pattern paver base framed with concrete curbing, ready for trash bin enclosure build-out.

Step-by-Step: Building a DIY Trash Can Fence

With the paver pad done, it was finally time to build the actual trash can fence!

First, I tackled the fence posts. The pressure-treated lumber had some overspray from my DIY murphy bed project (oops!) that needed to be sanded off, and the posts were too tall. I measured just a few inches higher than our garbage cans, marked straight lines using a speed square, and trimmed them down with my circular saw (tip: cut the front and then the back since the blade won’t get through in one cut).

DIYer using a speed square and pencil to mark precise cut lines on a vertical wood post for a trash enclosure privacy fence.
Woman using a circular saw to cut a wood post to the correct height while building a DIY privacy fence.

Assembling the Fence Panels

We built the trash can fence in two separate panels. First, we laid down 2×4 cross beams, then placed vertical pickets on top. I tacked them in place with a brad nailer, then secured everything with screws for long-lasting durability.

Pro Tip: Use a straight edge (or a 2×4) as a guide to keep your screw lines straight—it makes a big difference in the final look!

Woman using a nail gun to attach vertical fence pickets to a horizontal frame on a brick paver pad for a DIY trash enclosure panel.
Two people using drills to fasten wooden supports and pickets together while building a custom trash can enclosure wall section.

Once both panels were built, we attached them to the posts using a drill and exterior wood screws. And just like that, my trash can fence was almost done, and it already looked 1000x better.

Two completed trash enclosure panels made from pressure-treated wood, laid out on a paver surface with trash bins staged nearby.
Newly constructed trash bin privacy screen in progress with vertical cedar planks on a red brick pad, DIY-style project underway.

Here’s a peek from the back—you can see there’s plenty of space for our garbage cans. And even though the trash can fence isn’t a full enclosure, it does exactly what I wanted: keeps our trash cans hidden from street view in a simple, stylish way.

Custom-built wooden privacy fence hides trash bins on a paved brick pad for a clean, organized curbside look.

Final Reveal: Our Outdoor Garbage Can Fence

After the pressure-treated wood had time to dry out, I gave the entire trash can fence a coat of the same stain/sealer I used on our garden arbor and backyard fence. I love keeping the outdoor elements cohesive, and this tied everything together perfectly.

This trash can fence was such a simple project, but it made a huge difference in cleaning up the front of our home.

Woman proudly standing beside newly finished wood privacy fence built over a paver pad to hide trash bins, showing off DIY success.

Last year was packed with outdoor DIYs—raised garden beds, our garden arbor, exterior rock painting, that DIY faux wood garage door—and this little fence was the cherry on top. No more garbage cans ruining the view. Just clean lines, good design, and way better curb appeal.

White flowering bush blooming next to a white-painted stone garage wall, with a wooden arbor and raised garden bed overflowing with greenery in the background.

FAQs About DIY Trash Can Fences

What is a trash can fence and why should I build one?

A trash can fence is a small enclosure or screen that hides your outdoor garbage and recycling bins. I built one to seriously level up our curb appeal—it keeps the eyesores out of view and makes our front yard look way more polished.

Can I build a trash can fence without pouring concrete?

You can, but I wouldn’t skip it if you want long-lasting results. I used concrete to secure the posts and keep everything sturdy, especially with wind and weather in mind. You could also use post anchors if you’re attaching to a deck or patio.

How tall should a trash can fence be?

Mine is just a few inches taller than our garbage cans—enough to fully hide them from the street but still easy to access on trash day. Measure your bins first and then add 2–4 inches for good coverage.

What kind of wood should I use for a trash can fence?

I used pressure-treated lumber for the posts and pickets since it holds up well outdoors. If you want a more decorative look, cedar is also a great (but pricier) option that naturally resists rot and bugs.

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