Hiding Eyesore - Please Help

last month

My mother’s simple, brick ranch 1962 house on a pretty little bayou. She is ill now. The home is temporarily vacant. I am getting it ready for the rental (furnished for traveling nurses, etc..) market. When the prior owner, a plumber, owned the home this is how he plumbed a half bath he added. It is tied into the septic system. I do not have the budget to have it re-plumbed. How do you suggest I hide it from view, at least until I do have funds to re-plumb it? That window is to the half bath. The door to the right goes from the backyard to the garage that is on that end of the house. It opens into the backyard. This is the only picture I have. I had not thought I would ask your help or I would have taken more. To the left is more brick and then a window to the kitchen over the sink. This is the rear of the house facing a backyard that could use a makeover. There is a concrete walkway all along this rear side of the house right against the house. Most has old, barely attached astroturfing that has to go. There is nothing else in the back yard to really plan around. The yard is going to be a project of its own. Please - Is there something that could be built or bought or planted that would cover this? I thought maybe some type of plant shelves covered in plants or something. I appreciate your suggestions to cover this eyesore! I know I should have it re-plumbed, but funds are very tight. I’m just trying to help her keep her home by renting it while she is away for nearly half the year receiving medical treatment. Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

AC M

last month

No matter what you put in front of it, definitely paint it to match the brick. Most of the problem is that the stark white is so jarring and obvious against the house.

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Comments (17)

la_la Girl
last month
if it were me, I’d just do two large pots - one larger than the other and fill the one closest to the door with a smallish evergreen/cedar to give the area some vertical coverage
Kelley
Original Author
last month
Thank you @la_la Girl. I appreciate your suggestion!
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chispa
last month
A 6 ft outdoor bench could be placed over the area. A few planters/plants would also make the area a bit more inviting.
Kelley
Original Author
last month
Thank you for your suggestion @chispa!
Should I paint the white pipe to blend with the brick more?
Emily
last month
I was thinking the same thing of adding a bench. Center it under the window. Add a planter with tall grass. Try Amazon for some inexpensive artificial ones. Planting it to disguise it would help too.
Kelley
Original Author
last month
Thank you for the visual Emily! That helps a lot! I appreciate you commenting!
dani_m08
last month
^^^ I think that if you select a paint color that will .blend with the bricks more, it will make the plumbing less obvious. Once you paint it + add a bench + planter, it will look much better!

I can't believe that an actual plumber did that!
Kelley
Original Author
last month
@dani_m08 I know! I even looked into it and he really was a licensed plumber.😂 I’ll be trying to match or blend paint with the brick. Thank you!
littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
last month
last modified: last month
Get some rusty brown paint, a little brush, and paint that (vertical portion) sucker immediately. It’s probably a 30 minute job. Tear off the astroturf.

Then see what you think. I think it will be 1000% better right away.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
last modified: last month
Get a nice planter built that fits right over that , any 1/2 decent planter guy could do it in a heart beat . Put the planter on wheels for access. I do have to agree short trem renters will not water plants so paint it like the siding and be done.
apple_pie_order
last month
Just paint the pipe. Skip the plants: short term renters are unlikely to water anything in pots.

You may be able to find a lightly used bench or small side table on Facebook Marketplace or a "buy nothing" group.
Sigrid
last month
Paint works wonders. Even a not great match will be better than that bright white. I'd paint it first and then see how much of an eyesore it is.
ker9
last month
On a non windy day, with cardboard or similar against brick, use outdoor spray paint (easy less mess) to match brick or dark brown, with the previously recommended bench will make a big difference.
chloebud
last month
Agree with paint to blend and a bench.

Or, get really creative and do this.😵‍💫😉
katinparadise
last month
last modified: last month
I'm sorry about your mother. It must be stressful enough dealing with her illness, let alone having to make the house ready for the rental market. Paint will help enormously. The idea of a bench and plant is such a great solution. I checked my Facebook Marketplace and found dozens of reasonably priced artificial plants and trees. Hopefully you can do the same.
Kelley
Original Author
last month
@chloebud That was creative! @katinparadise Thank you! The house can be a welcome distraction from life sometimes. It is nice to see improvement in something for sure! It’s a cute little house. I’m sure trying to help it be as cute as possible with my budget! Thanks everyone!