You will need to have at least a couple feet between the building and the largest width of what you will plant. IME anything that is close to the furnace output will die due to the acidity of the fumes.

The space you show is not large enough to make suggestions. Can you step back about 10 or 15 feet and take another photo? We need to see what else is nearby, how high the roof is in this area, etc. or any suggestions may look ridiculous.

Hang a rolling door panel with the same siding as the house in front of the whole thing. A plant in front of that is optional

I think a screen is the best bet to cover these items. Here is a LINK to many articles on hiding utilities. Each idea has its own link to creating the item. Just make sure your utility company can easily get to their boxes when needed.

we need the wider pic... what is the cement pad? . is the backdoor there???

and tiny babes around... i put a 30 degree bend on my furnace outlet .. i did not glue it ... my sear was a young child would reach in and get his hand or arm stuck ...

call miss dig before you decide to plant anything ... that is your electric service there .. its not supposed to go underground.. but lets not find out.. eh???

ken

Another pic

You could paint them the color of the house until you figure out what you want.

I am another vote for a screen rather than trying a planting in that spot.

Hang a rolling door panel with the same siding as your house. It could have small shelves inside? Give Dad's BBQ a better patio and the path to it.

I’ll google some screen options

Yes, a screen or short fence panel of some sort would be your best option here.

Any plant of any size to block that area would be right in the way of the door.

placed far enough out that you can pass behind

planter with something more attractive than these, leaving room behind to walk:

with taller plants:

maybe with a tall grass like this in the planters

I was going to offer help, and then I saw the Chiefs banner. Now, I don't care anymore...

Far more simply - while you consider the numerous constructed options which will become a leaf catcher and small furry animal home - go ahead and plant Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'.

• This will be sufficient to screen the objectionable items.
• This is tough enough to tolerate most soil conditions including wet.
• This plant is totally rejuvenatable every spring when you cut back the old foliage.
• It is a clumping species, so if you never replace it, you can always split off chunks to give to friends or use elsewhere on the property.
• It is not woody, so it will not obstruct access.

I'd stick a couple or three of them in the ground, and then contemplate your situational navel for awhile before jumping into more yard furniture.

Haha Viburnum! I’m the opposite! GO CHIEFS!! (by the way, that Chiefs flag is waaaay too small! It should be at least as big as mine. With Chiefs jerseys models too.)

Mentioning the Chiefs flag, don’t add small doodads to the spot. They just draw the eye there.

I agree with paint - paint everything you can the same color as the house. Especially the white tube. And you can probably even paint the wires too.

My only concerns with plantings are the dryer vent and the furnace vent in that same area

If you plant in planters large enough to hold a lot of dirt and they are placed far enough from the wall, it shouldn’t be a problem. Are we seeing the vents in those pics? There isn’t air coming out of the furnace vent, right? Is it just intake?

The furnace vent is in and out, so gases come out

Well, maybe something without plants would be wise, unless you do a planter out from the wall a good a bit, then attach a screen to the back of the planter to block the view. Not sure I'd want to be lounging out there either. What about the ones posted that are attached to the wall, framed around all of the appendages, with doors that open to reveal things you need to access? The doors could be slatted or louvered for better air flow.

grill cart

handy for next to your grill. plenty of ventilation. easy to move when necessary.

I posted so many non-plant ideas the other day, but accidentally deleted the whole thing trying to edit it.

I don’t know if you’re interested, or are just wanting plant ideas, but if so, I can post them again.

Jinx I’m open to any suggestions

Ok, let me find the photos. I’m so mad at myself for losing the post! Brb ….

My idea was to make it more of a seating area/barbecue center. Extend the path out, add chairs or benches or whatever. It’s a great location for it — by the door, the kids’ activities, etc. I don’t know what the rest of your yard is like, maybe you already have an area like that and don’t need another.

You could use a potting bench for that purpose and/or a food and beverage center. The bottom part is open enough to take attention away from the utilities without covering completely.

My DH and I made one inexpensively last year using neat old parts we’d been collecting. I use it every day. There’s a vent behind it, so we brought it out just a bit.

Another idea is just a seating area with small tables or whatever. A bench strategically placed would take attention away from the utilities.

I thought this was a great idea. If you’re interested I’ll hunt down the tutorial.

You could find other creative ways to hide it.

Of course just doing plants would be easier, but if you could use a seating/whatever area, it’s a good opportunity.

I’d definitely paint the white pipe a darker color, too. Good luck!

Geez, I’m sorry, I missed the posts about gasses from the vents, so seating area is out! I should’ve just stayed away. ;)

lol, Jinx, I wondered where all your great pics went and why you deleted them. I've almost given up on editing posts with pics and just do add-on posts. this site is infuriating!

Oly, right?! I’m going to have to stop editing, and just add on like you said! :)