3. How to Camouflage Your Rain Barrels
There are many ways that you can help your rain barrels avoid sticking out like a sore thumb. The example in the picture would definitely blend into the environment more than a white barrel, especially if the hose was hidden. Some people go so far as to put their barrel out of reach on a platform that is then hidden behind a wooden door. If you want to go this route, you can get step-by-step directions from the video below.
Alternatively, you can use a large burlap sack to cover the barrel and make it less noticeable. This will work really well if you have similar colors nearby in your yard. You could also use paint a camouflage pattern onto a lightly colored sack. This is relatively easy to do with only a small amount of artistic talent, and stencils can make the process easy for anyone.
The trick will be to paint a pattern that matches the barrel’s surroundings. In other words, if it is sitting directly in front of a brick wall, you will want to make a stencil that emulates the brick look and fill it in with the appropriately colored spray paint.
None of these techniques will hide your rain barrels from someone who is standing right in front of them, but it will make your property look less enticing from a distance.
Photo by Barb Howe