Do you find yourself wanting to hide your water heater or climate control system because it throws off your home’s vibe? You’re not the only one. Here are some imaginative fixes for keeping those essential items out of sight while improving your home’s design.
A Breezy Solution Using Lattice Screens
If you want to keep air flowing while keeping things hidden, a lattice screen is a smart choice. I helped one client use a lattice to create a light, airy barrier in their utility area.
Products that could assist:
- Expandable Wooden Lattice Screen: This lattice screen can be adjusted to fit your needs and adds both elegance and airflow.
- Outdoor Privacy Panel: This durable privacy panel is great for utility areas and gives you a breezy but private space.
- Decorative Trellis Screen: A decorative trellis screen keeps systems hidden and adds to the room’s beauty.
Get a Stylish Cover Using Decorative Paneling
Adding decorative paneling can bring some flair to any room while you’re hiding those big climate control systems. One time, I used some reclaimed wood panels that brought rustic charm and were easy to move.
A few suggestions:
- Reclaimed Wood Wall Panels: For a genuine, fashionable cover, use reclaimed wood panels to spruce up your space.
- Decorative Wall Panel Kit: Putting in a decorative wall panel kit is a simple way to add style and hide systems.
- Wood Slat Paneling: Wood slat paneling is a great way to add style and function to any space.
A Green Disguise with a Plant Wall
Bring some nature inside with a plant wall that hides those eyesores. I once added a vertical garden to a client’s mudroom. It brought both greenery and coverage.
Useful items to consider:
- Vertical Garden Planter Kit: A vertical garden kit is a great way to add greenery and coverage to any space.
- Wall-Mounted Plant Hangers: Sturdy hangers are a great way to display your favorite plants on a plant wall.
- Indoor Plant Lighting: Indoor lighting makes sure your plant wall thrives, even if there isn’t much sunlight.
Industrial Chic with Metal Grates
If you want to add some industrial chic, try metal grates. They let air flow and have a modern look. I used them in one project where I turned a loft into a living space.
Possibly handy products:
- Decorative Metal Wall Grate: A sleek metal wall grate adds function and industrial charm to any room.
- Industrial Floor Grating Panels: Sturdy floor grating panels add a modern, chic touch to any loft.
- Custom Metal Vent Covers: Metal vent covers are a simple way to add an industrial, stylish touch.
Interactive Cover with Chalkboard Panels
Chalkboard panels can make hiding your utility system interactive. I put them in a client’s playroom, and it was a fun, practical solution for the whole family.
Give these a look:
- Chalkboard Panel Sheets: Chalkboard panels can turn any room into a creative space for the family.
- Liquid Chalk Markers Set: Liquid chalk markers are a great way to add bright, erasable drawings.
- Magnetic Chalkboard Wallpaper: Magnetic chalkboard wallpaper is a fun way to stay organized and decorate.
A Literary Touch with Bookcase Concealment
You can turn hiding your utility system into a library corner using a bookcase. I once designed a secret bookcase door that hid a client’s water heater perfectly.
You might like:
- Wall-Mounted Bookshelves: Elegant bookshelves are a great way to hide utility areas and give a classic look.
- Retractable Bookcase Door: A retractable bookcase door is a great way to hide systems and add style.
- Library Ladder: A library ladder is a charming way to make a space feel like a library and make it easy to reach high shelves.
Room Makeover Magic
Think about hiding your climate control system as part of a bigger room makeover. I did a project where I turned a corner of the basement into a cozy reading spot by hiding the system behind a bookcase.
Some handy options:
- Modular Bookshelf with Hidden Storage: A stylish bookshelf is a great way to hide your climate control system and add to the room’s appeal.
- Decorative Room Divider Screen: Hide those systems with a fancy screen that also makes your room look better.
- Bench with Lift-Up Storage: A storage bench is a useful item that gives you a place to sit and a place to hide your systems.
Add a Personal Touch with DIY Projects
For those who like to make things, a DIY project can add a personal touch. I painted a screen with geometric designs to hide a client’s water heater and made it a work of art.
A few relevant products:
- Wooden Room Divider Screen: A stylish wooden room divider can keep your appliances hidden in style.
- Geometric Stencil Set: With a geometric stencil set, you can add artistic touches to your projects.
- Acrylic Paint Set: With an acrylic paint set, you can bring your screen to life with bright, lasting colors.
Textural Interest with Woven Screens
Add some texture with woven screens. I helped a client use bamboo screens to give their basement a tropical feel while hiding the less attractive things.
Maybe worth checking out:
- Freestanding Bamboo Room Divider: A bamboo room divider is a stylish way to create a tropical feel and hide things.
- Four-Panel Wicker Screen: A woven wicker screen is a great way to add texture and privacy.
- Natural Fiber Folding Screen: A natural fiber folding screen is a great way to add a cozy feel and keep things hidden.
Sliding Doors for Tight Spaces
Sliding doors can really help when you don’t have much room. In one tight hallway, I used some chic, barn-style sliding doors that let people get to the system without taking up too much space.
Try these:
- Barn-Style Sliding Door Kit: With a stylish barn door kit, you can save space and make your hallway look great.
- Frosted Glass Sliding Door: Frosted glass sliding doors are a great way to add privacy and class to a small space.
- Space-Saving Sliding Door Hardware: Using hardware that saves space makes sliding doors a great choice for entryways.
Use Curtains to Add a Soft Look
A simple curtain can do wonders when you’re trying to hide something like a climate control system. For one client’s laundry room, I added some drapes that went from ceiling to floor. It made the room feel both cozy and elegant.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Floor-to-Ceiling Curtain Panels: Add class with floor-to-ceiling curtain panels to warm up that space.
- Decorative Curtain Rods: Pick out some fancy curtain rods that match your room perfectly and keep your systems out of view.
- Room Divider Curtains: Section off areas using some stylish room divider curtains that add charm and make things more private.
Flexibility with Removable Walls
If you want to be able to change things easily, think about using removable walls. I came up with a design that used panels that could be taken down and moved around easily. It was perfect for a small space that needed to be accessed often.
A few helpful options:
- Magnetic Wall Panel System: Magnetic panels make it easy to move things around and get to your utilities.
- Sliding Wall Tracks: Sliding wall tracks let you change your room quickly and easily.
- Modular Wall Panels: These panels can be used in many ways and can be changed as your needs change.
Get a Perfect Fit Using Custom Cabinets
Putting custom cabinets around your climate control system and water heater can be a great idea. I came up with a sleek cabinet setup that covered the system and added more storage.
Check these products out:
- Modular Cabinet Systems: With modular cabinets that you can change to fit your needs, you can keep your systems hidden and organized.
- Adjustable Storage Shelves: With adjustable shelves, you can make the most of your space and make sure everything fits around your appliances.
- Cabinet Ventilation Grills: Keep air flowing with some fashionable ventilation grills so your cabinet system is safe and efficient.
Artwork as a Clever Disguise
Large artwork can be a clever way to hide your utilities. I hung a striking canvas in one client’s hallway, and it hid the access panel for their climate control system perfectly.
Might be a good match:
- Large Wall Art Canvas: A large wall art canvas is a great way to transform a room and hide utilities.
- Framed Canvas Art: Framed canvas art is a stylish way to hide access panels.
- Decorative Wall Panels: Decorative panels are a simple way to hide unsightly areas and add style.
The Illusion of Space with Mirrored Doors
Mirrored doors can not only hide things but also make a room feel bigger. I put in mirrored bifolds in one small basement and it felt twice as big.
Consider these options:
- Mirrored Bifold Closet Doors: Mirrored bifold doors are a simple way to hide systems and make a room feel bigger.
- Mirrored Sliding Barn Doors: Mirrored barn doors are a stylish way to make your basement feel bigger.
- Full-Length Mirror Wall Panels: Use mirror panels to cover systems and make the room feel more spacious.
Create a Smooth Look Using Bi-Fold Doors
I am a big fan of using bi-fold doors to keep climate control systems concealed, as they allow you to get to the unit easily and still match the room’s style. For one home, I put in some louvered bi-folds so there was airflow, and they worked perfectly.
May just do the trick:
- Louvered Bi-fold Doors: Get louvered bi-fold doors for airflow and a fashionable way to get to your system.
- Bi-fold Door Hardware Kit: Make sure your door opens smoothly with a great bi-fold door hardware kit. It’s simple to put in too.
- Bi-fold Door Knob Set: Upgrade your doors with a stylish bi-fold door knob set.
