Help - Conceal toys on porch

Question

We are looking for a creative, inexpensive way to camouflage the toys on our front porch. They can be seen from the street and are just a few feet away from the front door. Big toys are too large for a storage 'deck box'. We'd like to match our green siding. Not afraid to DIY. Thanks for suggestions!

Carol · Answer

How about a row of potted plants inside the railing? Or, along the front, on the gravel... this would serve to hide that crawl space as well.

Lee Cunningham Green · Answer

you could place lattice on the inside of the rail, the same width and size of the rail so it would not be displeasing to the eye, but would act to camoflage the toy room.

Valerie · Answer

I like Carol's idea, and would add potted plants along the front, along the gravel. It would kill two birds with one stone. I would then add a bench across the side wall, preferably with the opening across the front, rather than the top. This could double up as a seating area. Using crates, with baskets inside, would also work.

Valerie · Answer

Here is another idea which would also work: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/bedroom/furniture/rolling-toy-boxes-made-from-drawers-6990136

Barbara Valenti · Answer

I was thinking about the same as some of the other post and.... maybe using a shower curtain, in your porch colors and drape that inside your railing. You could string it with some wire and pull it tight so it would lay flat. Even do the same across the other side so you really could not see them while on the front porch. Higher would really make it like a hiding place. You could then just flip it open and get what you need. Even some pretty tie backs while they are out playing. I am sure you can come up with plenty options to suit your needs. Good luck!

Gaylene Lienemann Stupic · Answer

If you are looking for a temporary option until a more permanent one can be decided on, I love climbing annuals like morning glory and moon flower. They grow quickly but won't take over like a perennial will...and once your little ones are no longer little, the toys won't be an issue at all!

Jennie Herrick · Answer

Someone suggested using shower curtains to hide your toys, but I think I would take it a step further and use cloth shower curtains and not plastic ones. My reasoning is this; the cloth ones will last longer than the plastic ones. The plastic ones will eventually become brittle from being exposed to the weather (ie: the sun) and will rip and tear easily. The cloth ones however will hold up much better and can be washed if they become dirty from everyday grime or kids little paws. Make sure to take some self adhesive Velcro and add some big/heavy washers along the bottom, inside edges of the curtains to help keep them from being blown all over the place. Of course if there is a storm, it's best to tie them back to keep them from becoming sails in the wind. Oh and here's the really fun part! You can get the curtains in just about any colors and if you want, use fabric paint to paint any kind of design you want to make it match your home or personality! Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!

DEBORAH POPSON · Answer

You could use strips of vinyl,like the kind used in vertical blinds and weave them between the slats of your railing. Alternate the weave in each row. you may not even need to fasten them at the ends and it could be removed when no longer needed.

Carol W · Answer

A more permanent solution would be to replace the spindles in you rail with wider boards with decorative cut outs. Cut outs I have seen are hearts, but any shape could probably be incorporated...

Dee · Answer

Another semi permanent option would be to add a panel of lattice wood on the back of the existing porch railing until the toys are no longer stored on the porch.

JV Singin · Answer

can they fit parked ( or backed) under the porch ? then make a little bench laid on it's side to hide them that can doubles as a bench for the kiddies when they get them out ... you can call it their parking garage... lol

Carol · Answer

Wow! I was the first commenter, and you have received so many really good ideas! This community is SO helpful.

Rus1058682 · Answer

I would agree with 'Dee'. you can buy vinyl lattice and cut to size. And it can be painted, or just left white, which would also look good for the space under the porch..

Patricia Packer Houseworth Simmons · Answer

Search for used metal vertical blinds (sometimes they are free), remove slats and spray paint the vertical slats with Rustoleum paint to prevent rusting, weave the slats in and out of your existing railing.

Liliana Wells · Answer

A screen of some sort.

Teen · Answer

Make a little trap door,i see that underneath the porch you have room,secret box inside will fit toys and bikes can be laid on their side,when not in use,cover the front of course or continue the step right across this way won't look out of place and be no eye sore.

Aprildungan · Answer

You want something to match the siding, so this may not work as the screen material is either brown or black. You can buy 'pet-proof' screen (a heavy-duty mesh screen similar to screen mesh on screen doors, but pets cannot tear it - so that to me is pretty-much kid proof in my books). It is sold in a roll and creates an almost black-out image keeping someone from being able to see in-between the slats or the toys on the other side of the screen. You can frame it out with screen lattice (wood pieces in the trim section at home depot - I like because you can cut only what you need and not have to buy full 8' pieces at lowes) on the back-side to give it a finished look and then attach the screen to the backside of your porch-rail.

Barbara Valenti · Answer

Did you ever decide what you wanted to do?

Help - Conceal toys on porch

Rolling Toy Boxes Made From Drawers

Suggested Project Book

Turn Anything Into a Chalkboard With These 13 Creative Ideas

Other

More

Help - Conceal toys on porch

Rolling Toy Boxes Made From Drawers

Suggested Project Book