You can decorate your barrel with paint, plants and more. Our customers have had success with Krylon Fusion paint available widely at big box and hardware stores.
Others have used chicken wire wrapped around the barrel and trained vines to grow up around it. You can also set plants on top of the barrel to give it a new look.
See examples at the links below:
ECOSUPERIOR ANNUAL ART CONTEST
NEW YORK CITY DISTRIBUTES PAINTED BARRELS
RIDEAU ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION LEAGUE – PLANTS AROUND BARRELS