Home With Tess: Cover up those pesky eyesores in your home with art

Moving into your first home is a liberating experience. Owning a home offers you the freedom to do whatever you’d like to it, from painting and hanging wallpaper to swapping out floor tiles and adding rooms.

While being a homeowner allows you to make just about any change you want, some are too burdensome and costly for what they’re worth.

I ran into this problem with an eyesore in my living room: the thermostat. Though small, whoever installed it decided to stick this little bugger on the largest wall in the room. It was one of those things that never went away once you saw it. Everywhere I turned, every photo I took, there it was — a small white box on the wall that seemed to mock me with its appearance.

I briefly considered trying to hire someone to move it, but after a quick chat with my dad, it sounded like it’d be too much effort and money to do so. Plan B: Find a way to cover it up.

I spent more time than I’d like to admit pondering how to hide it in a way that would still allow easy access. But after some thought, I came up with three solutions that all involve something much nicer to look at instead.

1. Cover it with a tapestry.

This was the simplest solution I devised, and it wound up being a winner for me. I found a set of three small tapestries online that went perfectly in my living room. Using small adhesive hooks, I hung the tapestry over the thermostat, and boom! No more thermostat (at least not a visible one). Accessing it is as easy as lifting the tapestry.

2. Create a canvas cover-up.

If tapestries aren’t quite your style, you can get a little more creative with a few simple tools. Using a photo or art with some space behind it, like a floating frame or canvas, you can screw small hinges along the back of the left side of the frame (when looking at it from the front). Then, attach the other half of the hinges on the wall to the left of the eyesore, and voila — you can simply “close” the frame to hide the eyesore, much like closing a door. Just make sure you have enough space behind your frame to completely cover the problem area so the right side of the frame — without the hinges — is flush with the wall.

If you find your frame begins to creep open and doesn’t stay tight against the wall, you can use a small piece of adhesive Velcro — one side attached to the right side of the frame and the other side attached to the wall.

3. Install a shelf right beneath the culprit.

This solution works best with art or photos in more traditional frames. By hanging a shelf right below the thermostat or other eyesore, you can easily prop your photo on the shelf over the blemish at hand. This can work with other decorative elements, too: candles, pottery, you name it. While this option will likely cost the most money, it also offers the most versatility.

If you find yourself in a similar predicament, I hope one of these solutions inspires you to get rid of that eyesore without breaking the bank. I’d love to hear if you give one a try!

Email your questions to Theresa "Tess" Bennett at homewithtess@gmail.com and keep up with Tess on Instagram @homewithtess