In, literally, less than 20 minutes and for $120 we completely upgraded our curb appeal this weekend. And to be honest, we’re so embarrassed we didn’t do this sooner! Last summer, I remember pinning a DIY project about building out a standard 4×4 mailbox post with trim and a cap to make it look so fancy, with all the intention of doing it. But time got away from us, and our mailbox situation wasn’t doing our home’s first impressions any favors.
(Disclaimer, sidewalk weeds are free to remove. We did that, too. *face palm*) And then I came across this ready-made, won’t fade or need re-painitng, 15 year-warranty decorative post cover for around $100 and I ordered it right away.
The install was the easiest and left us with a pretty sophisticated “after.”
Here’s the quick rundown of how it works: The post fits right over a standard 4×4 mailbox post. But since ours had a bracket holding up the mailbox, too, we had to remove that first. On the back of our post, there were 2 large hex screws holding the bracket in place that we removed and it came right off.
Leaving us with a lone pole.
From the below picture, you can see how the new cover easily slides right over the old post.
All the hardware to attach the new bracket in place came with the post and there were even caps for the visible screws. We were going to re-attach our old white mailbox to the new post, but it suddenly looked so very dingy so we forked over $16 for a new mailbox (this one, in particular) and simultaneously went to the dark side.
I don’t know why–probably because I have never actually bought a mailbox in my adult life–but I always assumed they were closer to $50+, not $16!!! Which made me question, once again, why did we wait so long?!
*Sigh.* So much better. Anyone else have any quick, exterior updates they’ve checked off lately?
Oh… and still to this day … when I look outside I often proudly think “that was Chris and Julia’s idea!”
Loved this project so much! I followed your lead a few years ago ( as soon as I saw your post) and ordered this really easy , but so nice mailbox post update. We put it in and it was so great… and was a real springboard to several other front yard projects. I must say we have a great front yard/curb appeal… thanks to you guys. ????
Love this! Is there a minimum height the 4×4 needs to be? I can’t find anything on the website for the post. We have a random 4×4 post that is about 3.5 feet tall from an old real estate sign that would make a lot more sense as a mailbox.
This will just slip right over it! That sound like a perfect height.
YES! The easiest upgrade I ever did was a $30 purchase for garage door hardware magnets! They’re now $20 for each door – but they’re awesome. Ordered on amazon and have had them for six months – it took more time to open the package then to place them on the doors! You would never know they weren’t legit hardware! I will send a picture!
I’ve always loved the look of a beautiful mailbox in front of a house. In my neighborhood we just have big, ugly gray boxes spaced periodically through the neighborhood and you get a key and mail slot number (kind of like at an actual post office) and there may be 30 houses that go to the same area to get their mail. I get that it is quicker and easier for mail delivery but definitely doesn’t have the same charm as a mailbox in front of a house.