Question
My son just bought a house in Norman, Oklahoma. Right outside the front door along the walk from the driveway to the front door is the door to an in ground storm shelter. The door is next to the sidewalk going to the front door. On the other side of the side walk next to the garage are evergreens. The door to the storm shelter looks ugly. What can he do to make the site less tacky.

Thanks,

Betsy

Answer
Small world.  I was born in Norman, Ok.  I remember we were the only house on the block with a basement, so when the sirens sounded, we usually had a block-party in our PJ's down in the basement!  Thankfully, no disasters while I lived there.

Maybe treat it like a "beauty mark", and attempt to integrate it into the landscape, instead of trying to "hide" it.  It is a safety item, after all.

Seriously, I would suggest paint.  Maybe turn it into a "tromp d'oile" kind of thing...commission a local artist to paint vines and leaves on it?  Or turn it into a "whimsy" item; paint it like a big oak manor door, with fake knocker or pretend doorbell & mailbox, comlete with bird bath in front.  Or, maybe paint it to match the house color, with brick or wood siding, and shingles...sort of like a matching dog house.

I was also thinking, if its not too large, you can "cover" it with a pre-fabricated shed from Lowes/Home Depot. Probably not much more than about $600.  Just make sure the storm doors will still work - don't put in the floor!

If there is room, maybe surround it with low evergreen shrubs like boxwood?  If it still "sticks out like a sore thumb", you'd probably wnat someone locally to look at it and give you some more plant or screening suggestions.

Maybe, consider replace it, if you think its too ugly...I've seen kinds that are "at grade" in the garage, with a sliding hatch, that are "hidden" inside.

Hope these few suggestions help!  

-Marc