Posts feature partner companies & may be sponsored. Post contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Last Updated on March 14, 2021 by Diane Hoffmaster
Ever look at your mailbox and think it needs a bit of TLC? Are the numbers peeling off and the paint chipping? If your mail is getting wet and your mailbox flowers are dead, I am going to share a few tips on how to spruce up your mailbox with very little effort!
Table of Contents
How to Spruce Up Your Mailbox with Very Little Effort!
Understand Mailbox Rules Before You Start!
We spent some time this weekend painting, repairing, and decorating our mailbox. We knew that our homeowners association had mailbox rules that we had to follow. I know, it is annoying. For the most part, I like our homeowners association but they do occasionally complicate things.
We had to keep the box itself metal according to our covenants. Other than that, we were good to go. Here are a few other mailbox rules from the United States Postal Service that you should remember:
- Height: Position your mailbox 41" to 45" from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry.
- Distance: Place your mailbox 6" to 8" back from the curb. If you do not have a raised curb, contact your local postmaster for guidance.
- Mailbox numbers: Put your house or apartment number on the mailbox.
- If your mailbox is on a different street from your house or apartment, put your full street address on the box.
- If you are attaching the mailbox to your house, make sure the postal carrier can reach it easily from your sidewalk, steps, or porch.
How to Spruce Up Your Mailbox
Now that you know what the postal service requires, you can get to the fun stuff. Learning how to spruce up your mailbox to add some flair and color! Here are a few mailbox decorating tips to consider:
Deep Clean Your Mailbox first
You really can't do much with decorating a mailbox if you don't get off the 'road grime' first. Just wash with a sponge and some warm, soapy water. Then rinse and do a quick followup with dilute vinegar to kill the mold.
Other posts you might like:
Make basic repairs
If you have a broken mailbox, some things are easy to fix. Tighten loose nuts and bolts to stop wiggling. Fix squeaky doors and flags with white lithium grease. It holds up well on metal-to-metal surfaces in outdoor conditions.
Add a coat of paint
Painting your mailbox doesn't have to be hard. I bought a can of off white spray paint that was approved for outdoor use and that would bond to plastic (which is what most of our mailbox post is made of). A couple light coats of paint take only a minute or two. Don't attempt this if the weather is windy! You can get creative with your mailbox paint if you are crafty. I am not so I stuck with plain colors!
Consider mailbox covers
If you are not handy, consider buying mailbox covers to add pizzazz to your mailbox. There are plenty of decorative designs available and you can even change them seasoning if you are inspired.
Box Replacement is easy
If the box itself is falling apart, consider buying a new one. You will need to know what size mailbox you currently have. Use a measuring tape and check the width and length before purchasing. You will have to add new mailbox numbers or the mailman will not know who you are!
Don't forget the mailbox landscaping!
If you really want your mailbox to stand out, consider adding some easy landscaping touches. Put a ring of stones or bricks around the post, pour in some soil and mulch, and plant a few flowers. You can choose whatever types of flowers inspire you. Here are a few of my favorite mailbox flowers:
My favorite Mailbox Plants and Flowers
- 'Purple Wave' Petunia
- Clematis
- Rosemary
- Mexican Heather
- Dianthus
- Purple Verbena
- California Poppy
Remount wobbly posts
If your mailbox post is wobbly, you may have to put in a bit more effort. When you are installing a new mailbox post, make sure you use a post level to make sure it's standing straight. Bury the post no more than 24 inches deep. You want it to give way in an accident.
Sprucing up the mailbox is a great way to add more curb appeal to your home, which is important if you ever want to sell your home. Even if you don't plan on putting your house on the market, a neat and tidy mailbox area will keep your mail dry and your neighbors happy! Have any other tips on how to spruce of your mailbox?
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She has two college aged kids, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging and freelance writing full time. You can learn more about her HERE.
Leave a Reply