This eyesore has driven me insane for five years, and I want to use my time off this summer before school starts back to finally get it sorted. I have five large dogs, and 2 of them love to get on top of this thing and sunbathe. How can I disguise this creepy dungeon to look less sinister? I was thinking of making it hobbit-y by adding dirt around the sides, back, etc, but that seems like it would take soooo much $$ and be more than I can physically handle. Also thought about paint or paneling? But not sure how it would hold up. Any ideas appreciated!
by Tight_Form857
30 Comments
Maybe add a headstone?
Build a cedar frame with decking boards around the perimeter at least 2-3’ away. Make it a “raised bed” planter area with a cobble path in.
Plant local wildflower seeds and make it a pollinator dream.
A cool mural
Go full Arc of the Covenant on this. Or possibly an ornate alter for … ya know… the sacrifices that must have happened behind that door
camouflage paint, then plant flowers/shrubs around it with some decorative rocks
Tile it and make it into a backyard kitchen counter
I’d probably seal and paint it. Probably a dark green (think or how they hide transformer boxes).
Then surround with arboretive or box wood.
Re do the door. Ensure no rodent ingress is possible.
Better get any vents or steel components that are rusting replaced or wire brushed and tremclad. That box is at an age where it needs TLC.
Embrace it, paint it like a shipping container. I like the MOL graphic with the gator holding a container on its shoulder
Plant bushes around 3 sides. Paint the door a bright color.
I was thinking hobbit hole too, then Snoopy’s doghouse came to mind. Has to have a ‘mansard’ roof where top is roof but it comes down the sides too. Outline it all in black which is called cartoon painting. I’d probably tone it down by softening the red and white into warm brown and a pastel house color.
Not sure how to accessorize this folly. Cheap shiny planters that sort of look like dog bowls all planted out and placed where the dogs aren’t going to use as a step down? Cute address sign with dogs’ names?
Could make it comfier on top by adding a plywood top with narrow triangle mansard roof sections coming down the sides the length of the roof that get more serious about the design. Consult the dogs, do they prefer painted concrete or painted wood?
“Free Candy” spray painted on the door and sides?
My thought was to put housing siding on it.
A bit of a job but you could build a greenhouse and have it situated in the back or build a backyard bbq and use the shelter as a table
I would say make into kitchen but also this thing is awesome
Paint the door Don’t Open Dead Inside
Make a (hollow) log out of it. Newspaper and chicken wire to reshape, then cover with spray insulation and carve grooves- then paint. There are examples online and Pinterest too I think.
Put some glasses on it, works for superman
Have a mural painted all around the outside, perhaps wild flowers. Or give the neighbourhood kids some chalk and give them some guidelines on what you would like. It will be sweet and whimsical.
On a side note; is it design to keep people in or out? It certainly looks to be keeping someone or something in.
Turn it into a big Lego brick
Camouflage paint job.
Hang a size that says not a storm shelter
Install an above ground pool next to the storm shelter then build a deck platform with stairs to get into the pool above the storm shelter.
If you don’t want an above ground pool, have someone digyard install an in ground pool and simultaneously have them dig you a hole for an in-ground storm shelter.
Surround with forsythia. Also, paint it brown – maybe dark green?
Instead of covering it up you should make the central feature of your backyard around it.
Install patio stones around it, get an outdoor safe table top and appropriate height chairs. Make sure the patio stones extend far enough out to set up your bbq to the side.
I would build a planter for the top and cover it with a flowering ground cover plant, then surround the sides with raised beds of wildflowers for the pollinators.
Adorn it: family crypt
Put it under a mound of dirt with your choice of ground cover on it. It’ll actually greatly increase survivability, and look like a hobbit hole. Win/Win.
Put a sign on it that says “not a storm shelter”
Groucho Marx glasses?