How to build a hose reel cover

This stylish and practical hose reel cover is a clever disguise for the not-so-chic piece of outdoor equipment that most of us have at our properties. The sleek box is crafted from sturdy timber and finished in a smart Resene stain to suit your home’s aesthetic – keen DIYer Simon Frew has used Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain in Resene Pitch Black here.

The box is open at the back for moveability and sits flush against the house, with a small slot at the front for the hose to feed through, plus a handy bolted door at the front for storing extra gear. Simon has designed his according to the size of his hose reel, but you can adjust the size to fit your specific set up.

Building this structure is a great way to elevate and add the finishing touch to your outdoor area, especially if you use it a lot for al fresco summer entertaining. This cool project can be done over a weekend, so head into your local Resene ColorShop to choose your Resene colour – and remember, measure twice and cut once!

20x 1200mm x 160mm x 19mm H3 fence palings
30mm 8g galvanised screws
45mm 8g galvanised screws
32mm 16 gauge nails or 30mm galvanised nails (if using hammer)
95mm galvanised quick fix hinges
80 grit sandpaper
Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain (Simon used Resene Pitch Black)
Paintbrush
Paint pot
100mm padbolt

Safety gear
Tape measure
Pencil
Drop saw
Bench saw or skill saw
Router and 3/4 inch round router bit
Set square
Drill/driver
25mm drill bit
50mm hole saw
Nail gun or hammer
Block planer
Jigsaw
Drop cloth

For the sides and front:

10x 1000m x 160mm

For the top:

2x 610mm x 160mm

For the rails:

6x 560mm x 75mm
8x 275mm x 75mm

For the battens:

12x 900mm x 35mm
2x 610mm x 35mm
1x 325 x 35mm

For the hole plate:

1x 290mm x 160mm

1

Cut your timber

Start by measuring and cutting all the timber components you’ll need, paying careful attention to the cut list.

2

Assemble the pieces

Lay your drop cloth on a flat surface, then arrange the side and front panels and position the rails in place. Secure the rails to the front and side panels using 30mm 8g screws.

3

Build the frame

Measure and cut the front panel in half to form the cabinet door, then join the front, side and top panels using 45mm 8g screws to complete the main frame structure.

Sand smooth the sharp edges of the door panel to give the box a more professional finish.

4

Install the hinges

Measure and fix the hinges onto the door panel and attach to the main frame structure.

5

Batten up

Chamfer the edges of the battens, then measure, cut and attach the top and side battens using a nail gun or hammer.

6

Create the hose slot

Use 30mm 8g screws to fix the hose reel hole plate to the front panel at the appropriate height, then measure 80mm out from the centre to mark the hose reel slot location. Using a 50mm hole saw, drill two holes at either end of the slot, then use a jigsaw to cut out the section between the two holes to form the slot. Then use a ¾-inch round router bit to smooth and round the inside edges of the slot.

7

Drill the side hole

Drill a hole in the side of the cabinet wall to accommodate the hose connection.

8

Stain the cabinet

Use a stirring stick to thoroughly mix the Resene Waterborne Woodsman, then pour it into a paint pot. Use a brush to apply two coats of stain, making sure to leave the appropriate drying time between coats.

9

Hide that hose!

Move the completed cabinet into its final location, then fix a padbolt to the door. Stand back and admire your handiwork and congratulate yourself on a job well done.

House finished in Resene Pitch Black.

From trash to flash

This wheelie bin storage unit is another clever project designed to disguise necessary yet unsightly home equipment. This one is built from old pallets and stained in Resene Waterborne Woodsman in Resene Pitch Black. It’s also elevated with a planter box on top. Grasses are a good idea here as they’re very hardy and can withstand the elements.

Follow our step-by-step guide to build your own wheelie bin storage unit.