We all have parts of our home that we donโt really care for. A lot of it has to do with ugly items like cords, routers, or pet supplies. They are things that we require, yet when it comes to decorating, they stand out as giant eyesores.
Luckily, there are all sorts of simple tricks you can use to spruce things up a little bit. Weโve gathered 60 of the best ones to share with you today.
Not only will you learn all sorts of creative ways to hide ugly items, but youโll discover tons of other fun decorating and storage hacks too. If youโd like to free up some much-needed space in your home and give your rooms a new energy, this is a list that you donโt want to miss. Which one of these hacks is your favorite?
Source:
BowhausNYC
1. Put dog bowls inside furniture.
They hid the dogโs food bowls in the drawer of a dresser. Itโs such a creative way of keeping the dishes tucked away when the pup isnโt eating. Although, if your dog likes to snack frequently throughout the day, you might be opening and closing it a lot.
Source:
Freshome
2. Cover drapery rods with cornices.
Drapery rods really add nothing to a room style-wise. One good way of hiding them is by using a window cornice. If you would like to save some money, we recommend building your own cornices by following this simple tutorial.
Source:
Family Handyman
3. Cover your cords.
Cord covers can be bought at most hardware stores and work great for hiding random wires like those from a TV mounted to the wall. If you paint the cord covers the same color as your walls, they will blend right in.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
4. Use cords as hair.
Sometimes the best solution is the hide the cords in plain sight by incorporating them into a work of art. Thatโs what this creative individual did. The electric guitar cords in the photo were used as dreadlocks for singer Bob Marley.
Source:
BuzzFeed
5. Put routers in boxes.
Routers, modems, and all of the accompanying cords can be a total eyesore. Your room will look so much better if you find some stylish boxes to hide them in. Youโll just have to cut some holes in the back for the cords to be threaded through.
Source:
Sweet Sanity
6. Install drawers under the stairs.
With a little careful planning, a stairwell can easily be transformed into extra storage space. The stairwell drawers are a much more hidden way of storing things than using chests or other pieces of furniture. The amount of additional space you get is pretty incredible too.
Source:
Deriba Furniture
7. Hollow out a book.
This classic storage trick has been used for generations to hide valuable items. The idea is that you hollow out a book to create a secret space that no one would ever think of looking in. Just place the book back on the bookshelf after, or if you would like, leave it on the counter and hide a router in it!
Source:
Apartment Therapy
8. Use a metal grate or glass window.
One of the main problems with hiding certain types of electronics out of sight is that it blocks the signals they are broadcasting. You might run into this issue with your TV box or gaming consoles. However, if you use a metal grate or a glass window to cover the devices up, the signal will still be able to get through.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
9. Utilize invisible bookshelves.
Who says you need a big bulky bookshelf to store your books? Just use an invisible bookshelf as this designer did. The shelf slides right into the cover on the bottom book and can support up to 15 pounds of reading material.
Source:
Miron Lior
10. Hide pipes with blinds.
Pipes from washers and other appliances can be extremely ugly if they are left exposed instead of fitted inside the wall. One simple solution is to cover them up with a set of blinds. You wonโt even be able to see them after!
Source:
Lindsay Stephenson
11. Convert computer wires into power lines.
Not literally, but they do resemble mini versions of power lines. Itโs a cool trick that allows you to leave your computer and headphone wires out in the open while still keeping them looking good. The towers were made from bent chrome wire pieces.
Source:
Daniel Ballou
12. Create a chalkboard.
Behind this fun chalkboard is actually an AC unit. In order to make it, they first built a big wooden frame. Then mounted it over top of the unit to cover it up. The chalkboard was added last.
Source:
Decor Hacks
13. Keep soaps on a cake stand.
Dishwashing liquids and soaps can create an unsightly mess next to your sink. However, when placed on a cake stand, they instantly look 100 times more elegant. Add a flower vase for a very nice additional touch.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
14. Hang jewelry behind a painting.
She attached the wall painting to some hinges. It allows the painting to fold down so she can access her jewelry storage which is hidden in the back. When the painting is in position, you would never know there is anything behind it.
Source:
DIY Enthusiasts
15. Disguise an alarm.
The same strategy can also be used to cover up an alarm panel or any other ugly electronic device on your wall. Just attach some hinges to the edge of the canvas, mount them to the wall, and youโll be good to go.
Source:
Bliss Bloom Blog
16. Make vines out of your power cords.
Itโs a really creative way of transforming your power cords from eyesores into beautiful art pieces. You can make your own little leaves and bird at home pretty easily, but if youโre feeling lazy, they do sell them pre-made on Amazon as well.
17. Wallpaper your fridge.
Fridges arenโt something you would typically think of as โuglyโ, but when it comes to their appearance, there is a lot of room for improvement. Try covering them up with stick-on wallpaper. Youโll likely have to remove the handles first, then reattach them after.
Source:
Aunt Peaches
18. Magnetic picture frames stick to breaker boxes.
We never would have thought of this one, but it makes total sense. Breaker boxes are metal and magnetic picture frames can be stuck on any metal surface, so why not? The pictures cover up the breaker box perfectly.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
19. Build a little fence.
If you build a small fence and attach it to the molding at the base of the wall, it makes for an excellent place to run cords. The fence will hold the cords in place so you donโt accidentally trip on them while also covering them up in the process.
Source:
Karl Zahn
20. Coat your fridge with chalkboard paint.
Here we have another neat way to make your fridge more fun. Give it a coat of chalkboard paint to completely transform it into a writeable surface. You can draw whatever you want on it afterward. The chalk will wipe right off.
Source:
Erin Lauray
21. Make the actual stairs into drawers.
We saw previously how someone converted the side of their stairwell into drawers. However, this person took it a step further. Each of their actual stairs pulls out as a drawer. The amount of extra storage it creates is incredible.
Source:
Houzz
22. Store laundry hampers in a deep drawer.
Nothing is worse than a pile of dirty clothes sitting in a hamper in the corner of a room. Not only does it look bad, but the scent can end up being pretty noticeable too. However, by storing your baskets in a deep drawer, both of these problems are solved.
Source:
Meg & The Martin Men
23. Cover a thermostat with a picture.
The trick is to remove the glass from the picture frame. If you donโt, it could potentially mess up the thermostat temperature readings. However, once the glass is out, youโre good to use the picture as a pretty cover.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
24. Use black tape to decorate a dryer and washer.
Here we have a really fun way of sprucing up your laundry room. Decorate the appliances with little pieces of tape. This artist chose to make one striped and the other polka-dotted. They used black tape, but really, you can use whatever color you want.
Source:
A Beautiful Mess
25. Transfer beauty products into new bottles.
Some types of beauty products are just plain ugly, especially when you have tons of them. However, if you transfer all of your products to uniform clear bottles, your collection will look much better on the bathroom counter.
Source:
Muji
26. Put stickers around light switches.
You donโt want to place just any stickers though. Our favorites are these ones by HU2. They remind kids and everyone else in the family to save energy by turning off the lights when leaving the room.
Source:
HU2 Store
27. Doormats can cover wall vents.
Lots of people have random vents on their walls that donโt look very nice. All you need to do to cover them up is to hang a doormat over top of them. It will reduce the airflow though, so keep that in mind.
Source:
Debbie Doo's
28. Utilize more trays.
When randomly strewn across a countertop, all of these items might cause an area to look a bit cluttered. However, the tray helps them to appear neater and more organized. The ugly little Alexa device blends right in with the other items too.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
29. Drape a curtain behind a desk.
It is an excellent way of hiding all the wires from electronics like computers and radios. They remain hidden out of sight behind the curtain. Itโs pretty much like they donโt even exist.
Source:
Refinery29
30. Cover up a TV.
By default, TVs typically end up becoming the centerpiece of a room. However, this cool decorating hack proves that it doesnโt have to be that way. Just cover up the TV with a cheap printed canvas when itโs not in use.
Source:
Tulip & Turnip
31. Hide water pipes with fake rock domes.
Many homes have unsightly pipes sticking out of the ground in the yard outside. While you canโt get rid of them, you can cover them up using fake rock domes. Fake rocks are the perfect addition to any garden.
Source:
Plow & Hearth
32. Hide cords in trim work.
Notice how there are no cords around this TV setup? Thatโs because they are hidden behind the trim. The designer installed small channels in the trim work that allows the cords to pass right through.
Source:
Sawdust Girl
33. Make a charging drawer.
Instead of leaving all your electronics charging in whatever random place you can find an outlet, why not make a dedicated charging drawer? Itโs the perfect solution to this common problem.
Source:
Houzz
34. Hide away your printer in a dresser.
You probably arenโt going to use your printer all that often anyway. Hiding it away in a dresser makes complete sense. Whenever you need to access it, just open the drawer. Make your own folding drawer by following these instructions.
Source:
PBJ Stories
35. Organize cleaning supplies with a pegboard.
The best place to install the pegboard is probably in your garage or laundry room. Then you can attach little wire shelves to it as this woman did. Itโs a great way of keeping all your random cleaning supplies organized and looking acceptable.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
36. Keep cords in paper towel tubes.
Cords have a bad habit up of getting all tangled up with one another. Especially if you just throw them on the counter or in a drawer. However, by using paper towel tubes and a shoebox, you can make a simple cord organizer.
Source:
Instructables
37. Disguise wire shelves.
Itโs pretty common that a pantry would have a set of wire shelves inside. Unfortunately, they donโt look too good. This artist found a pretty nice way to cover them up though. They used molding!
Source:
Focal Point Styling
38. Decorate a boring bathtub.
Bathtubs on their own are pretty plain looking. One interesting way to make them look cooler is to cover the side with faux rocks. It will give the tub the appearance of natural stone without having to deal with grout or wet saws.
Source:
Lovely Crafty Home
39. Improve an ugly door.
This door was pretty basic to start with. The artist applied a combination of paint and masking tape to it to divide it up and give it some more shape. Itโs certainly an upgrade from how it looked before.
Source:
Houzz
40. Keep laundry detergent in a drink dispenser.
Laundry detergent bottles look pretty blah. Especially when you buy the big industrial-sized ones. Keeping your detergent in a drink dispenser is an easy way to make your laundry room look a little nicer.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
41. Hide the catโs litter box.
The area around a catโs litter box can quickly become a total disaster if you donโt clean it daily. Keeping it inside a cabinet is a good way to keep the mess contained. Youโll just need to make a side compartment in the cabinet for the cat to go in and out.
Source:
Elips Design
42. Cover a window AC unit.
The trick is to hang up cafe-style curtains on a tension rod. The curtains are light enough that the air can still pass through and the tension rod provides a little give. If you need to access the unit, just part the curtains.
Source:
Refinery29
43. Give your appliances a makeover.
See the dishwasher in this photo? It appears as though it is stainless steel. However, itโs actually not. It is just your standard black-colored appliance. The artist used faux stainless steel contact paper to transform it.
Source:
Julie Blanner
44. Hide a paper towel roll with molding.
Not only does the molding completely cover up the paper towel roll, but it can also be used as a shelf! Itโs a really cool hack. Make your own or purchase one already finished and ready to go on Amazon.
Source:
HealthyShelf
45. Use plants as camouflage.
Plants are a pretty versatile home decoration item. You can place them pretty much anywhere and theyโll look amazing. We recommend putting them in front of unsightly electronics like routers to camouflage them.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
46. Lattice covers can hide florescent lights.
Florescent lighting fixtures are really common in offices, but many homes have them as well. Make them look prettier and get rid of that unhealthy glow they create by using lattice covers.
Source:
bromelia living
47. Place styrofoam coolers in a wicker chest.
Itโs an excellent technique for sprucing up your barbecue or tailgate decorations and making things a little classier. Styrofoam coolers on their own look kind of cheap, but placing them in a wicker chest is a game-changer.
Source:
everything fab
48. Beautify box springs with fabric.
Mattress box springs are not known for being stylish. Most people simply cover them up with sheets and comforters. However, another solid strategy is to upholster them with fabric and a staple gun.
Source:
cozy little houses
49. Transform a laundry room with pegboard.
Pegboard is perfect for covering up ugly pipes. In addition, this artist used stencils on top of it to make it look even nicer. Her laundry room is now so much more fun than it was before.
Source:
Organizing Made Fun
50. Hang wires under your desk with hooks.
All of the cords from their electronics are attached to the underside of the desk using hooks. It keeps them from hanging down haphazardly and getting tangled up. Stepping away from the desk, you canโt even see them.
Source:
Andrea Dekker
51. Pictures work to distract the eye.
This designer used pictures to draw attention away from a random light switch in the middle of the wall. However, this technique can be used for camouflaging other unsightly objects like thermostats too.
Source:
Our Fifth House
52. Shelf brackets work great for transitions.
The shelf bracket serves as a barrier between the tiled backsplash on the left and the smooth wall on the right. Itโs a superb way of transitioning between different types of surfaces.
Source:
Opal Design Group
53. Store shoes in baskets.
Instead of leaving your shoes in a pile by the front door, try storing them in baskets. Itโs a very logical storage strategy. This individual even took it a step further and hid the baskets under a bench.
Source:
Bless 'Er House
54. Spray paint folding chairs.
Plain old gray or black folding chairs are just so boring. Make them more stylish by spray painting them. You can paint them all one color, or if you are feeling really crazy, make every one a different hue.
Source:
The Moon and Me
55. Paint your garage door.
Transform your garage door from ugly to beautiful by painting it a lovely pastel color. A blue garage door attracts so much more attention than the typical white one that most people have.
Source:
BHG
56. Hang shirts from a rope rack.
Most of the clothes racks that you can buy at stores look pretty cheap and tacky. Itโs much cooler to make your own using rope and a wooden curtain rod. Hang it up out of the way in the corner of your bedroom or closet.
Source:
Apartment Therapy
57. Install a sliding trash bin in your counter.
Keep your recycling and trash bins out of sight and tucked away in a secret compartment under the counter. Whenever you need to access them, just grab the handle and slide them on out.
Source:
Colorado Space Solutions
58. Wrap support beams in molding.
You know those metal poles and support beams in your basement? Unfortunately, they are crucial to the foundation of the home. While you canโt remove them, you can make them look nicer by wrapping them in molding.
Source:
The Yellow Cape Cod
59. Grow plants in cinder blocks.
If you have exposed cement cinder blocks outside your house, one way to disguise them is by growing plants inside of them. The plants will peek outward from the middle of the cement blocks in search of sunlight.
Source:
Carolyn Barber
60. Change the color of tiles.
If you donโt like the way your ugly tiles look, you can always paint them a different color. Itโs much cheaper than tearing them up from the floor and replacing them. Once you paint them though, there is really no going back.
Source:
The Moon and Me
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