Top 18 'Eyesore-Erasing' DIY Projects to try for Hiding Ugly Home Essentials in Plain Sight on a Budget - Goh Ling Yong
Let's be honest. We all have them. Those necessary but naggingly unattractive items that stick out in our carefully decorated homes like a sore thumb. I’m talking about the blinking WiFi router, the tangled mess of cords behind the TV, or that stark white circuit breaker box in the middle of a beautiful feature wall. They’re the essential, functional, but oh-so-ugly workhorses of modern life.
For years, the only solution seemed to be shelling out big bucks for custom cabinetry or complicated renovations. But what if I told you that you could reclaim your home’s aesthetic with a little creativity, a weekend afternoon, and a very modest budget? It's all about mastering the art of hiding things in plain sight, turning functional eyesores into seamless parts of your decor. This isn't about hiding clutter; it's about clever, intentional design magic.
Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe a beautiful, serene home should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we’ve compiled the ultimate list of 18 'eyesore-erasing' DIY projects. These are simple, budget-friendly solutions that will help you conceal those everyday necessities, transforming your space from cluttered and chaotic to calm and curated. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and make your home's ugly bits disappear.
1. The Secret Agent Router Cover
The WiFi router: a modern-day hero and a design villain. Its blinking lights and plastic shell can ruin the vibe of any stylish bookshelf or media console. The solution? Disguise it as something that belongs there.
Create a simple, five-sided box from foam board or thin plywood that fits snugly over your router (be sure to leave the back open for ventilation!). Then, head to a thrift store and pick up a few old, handsome hardcover books. Carefully remove the spines with a utility knife and glue them onto the front of your box. Voila! Your router is now a sophisticated row of vintage novels.
Pro Tip: Choose books with spines that match your room’s colour palette. For a super quick version, you can even just use an empty decorative box from a craft store, cutting a hole in the back for cords and ventilation.
2. The Fabric Cord Concealer
Nothing screams "messy" like a visible tangle of cords snaking along a baseboard or dropping from a wall-mounted TV. Instead of using generic plastic cord covers, create a soft, custom concealer that blends seamlessly with your decor.
Measure the length and general thickness of the cord bundle you want to hide. Cut a piece of fabric (choose something that matches your walls or curtains) that is a few inches wider than the bundle's circumference and the required length. Fold it in half lengthwise, sew or use fabric glue to create a long tube, and then turn it right-side-out. Just slip this fabric "sleeve" over the cords for an instant, stylish upgrade.
Pro Tip: Use small, removable adhesive hooks behind your furniture to guide the fabric-covered cord along the wall, keeping it neat and tidy.
3. The Chic Tilt-Out Trash Cabinet
A kitchen trash can is a necessity, but it can be an unsightly, smelly addition to your culinary space. A DIY tilt-out cabinet is a game-changing solution that keeps your bin completely out of sight until you need it.
You can build one from scratch using plywood or, for an easier project, upcycle an old, deep cabinet or dresser. Remove the top drawer and door, then build a simple tilting mechanism inside that holds the trash can at an angle. When you pull the new handle, the bin tilts out for easy access. Paint it to match your existing cabinetry for a truly integrated look.
Pro Tip: Search for "DIY tilt-out trash can plans" online. There are tons of free, detailed guides that make this project surprisingly straightforward, even for beginner woodworkers.
4. DIY Radiator Cover & Console Table
Old, clunky radiators can be a major eyesore, especially in older homes. A custom radiator cover not only hides the ugly metal fins but also gives you a brand new, usable surface.
Build a simple wooden frame to box in the radiator, ensuring plenty of space around it for air circulation. For the front and side panels, use decorative metal sheeting, cane webbing, or wooden slats to allow heat to escape effectively. Add a solid wood top, and you've created a beautiful, functional console table for your entryway or living room.
Pro Tip: Always use heat-resistant paint or finish on your radiator cover. Make sure the cover is easily removable for maintenance and cleaning.
5. The Simple Under-Sink Skirt
Exposed plumbing and cleaning supplies under a pedestal sink or in a laundry room can make the space feel unfinished. A simple, no-sew fabric skirt is an incredibly easy and affordable fix.
All you need is a piece of fabric you love, a tension rod, and some hemming tape. Measure the space, "hem" the fabric to the correct length using iron-on hemming tape (no sewing machine required!), and create a pocket at the top for the tension rod. Install the rod under the sink, and you have an instant, charming cover-up.
Pro Tip: Use Velcro strips instead of a tension rod for sinks where a rod won't fit. This allows you to easily pull the skirt away when you need to access the plumbing.
6. The Hidden Litter Box Bench
We love our feline friends, but their litter box is hardly a decorative accessory. Reclaim your space by building or modifying a piece of furniture to discreetly house it.
An IKEA cabinet or a simple wooden storage bench works perfectly. Cut a discreet entrance hole in the side, large enough for your cat to comfortably enter and exit. Place the litter box inside, along with a small litter-trapping mat. Your cat gets their privacy, and you get a functional bench or side table.
Pro Tip: Position the entrance hole facing a wall so it's even less noticeable. Choose a piece of furniture that has a door or lid that opens for easy cleaning.
7. Framed Art for Your Circuit Breaker Box
That grey metal circuit breaker box is often placed in the most inconvenient, highly visible spot—like your main entryway. Don't just live with it; cover it with art!
Find a canvas print or a picture frame that is slightly larger than the box. Attach the frame to the wall using hinges on one side. This creates a "door" that completely conceals the box while still allowing for immediate access when you need to flip a breaker.
Pro-Tip: For a more interactive option, use a framed chalkboard or corkboard. It’s a perfect spot for leaving family notes or pinning up reminders, making it both beautiful and useful.
8. The Gallery Wall Thermostat Camouflage
A plastic thermostat can look jarring on a large, empty wall. The trick here isn't to hide it, but to make it feel intentional by surrounding it with other items.
Design a gallery wall of photos, prints, and small art pieces around the thermostat. By incorporating it into a larger, curated collection, the thermostat becomes just one small element in the overall design. Its boxy shape will blend in with the surrounding frames, making it far less noticeable.
Pro Tip: Choose frames with a similar colour or finish to the thermostat's plastic casing to help it blend in even more effectively.
9. The Faux Floating Shelf for TV Boxes
A wall-mounted TV looks sleek and modern, but the collection of boxes (cable, Apple TV, gaming consoles) underneath, along with their wires, can ruin the effect. A hollow floating shelf is the perfect disguise.
Build a simple, three-sided "box" shelf that mounts directly to the wall under your TV. The hollow interior is the perfect place to tuck away all those devices and their power strips. Drill a hole in the top to feed cords up to the TV and another in the bottom for the power cord, keeping everything neat and out of sight.
Pro-Tip: Paint the shelf the same colour as your wall. This will create a true "floating" effect and make it look like an integrated part of your home's architecture.
10. The Washi Tape Wire Art
Sometimes, hiding wires isn't practical. So, why not turn them into a feature? This is a fantastic, renter-friendly hack for pesky lamp cords or TV cables that run across a wall.
Use colourful washi tape to secure the cord to the wall in a deliberate, geometric pattern. You can create cityscapes, abstract lines, or even tree branches. It turns a functional necessity into a piece of custom, quirky wall art.
Pro-Tip: Plan your design with a pencil first. Washi tape is easily removable, so don't be afraid to experiment until you get a design you love.
11. The Upcycled Printer Cabinet
Home office printers are bulky, unattractive, and rarely match any decor. Free up your desk space and hide that beast by repurposing a small cabinet or nightstand.
Find a cheap second-hand cabinet with a door. If needed, remove an interior shelf to make room for the printer. Drill a hole in the back panel to run the power and USB cords through. A fresh coat of paint will make it look brand new and seamlessly integrate it into your office design.
Pro Tip: Look for a cabinet with a drawer above the main compartment—it’s the perfect place to store extra paper and ink cartridges.
12. The Custom Pet Feeding Station
A pair of food and water bowls on the floor can look messy and get kicked around easily. Elevate your pet's dining experience (and your kitchen's style) with a DIY feeding station.
Take the bottom drawer from an old dresser or build a low, shallow box. Cut two holes in the top panel perfectly sized to hold your pet's bowls, so they sit flush with the surface. This not only looks tidier but can also be more comfortable for larger pets to eat from.
Pro Tip: Add a storage compartment underneath or behind the bowls to keep a large bag of pet food completely hidden but conveniently close.
13. The Magnetic Refrigerator Side Panel
The side of the fridge often becomes a chaotic collage of magnets, kid's drawings, and takeout menus. To create a clean, uniform look, give it a sleek cover-up.
Use a roll of removable contact paper in a stylish pattern, a matte black finish for a chalkboard effect, or a metallic finish to match other appliances. For a more rigid solution, cut a thin piece of painted plywood or a magnetic whiteboard to size and attach it with heavy-duty magnetic strips. This gives you a clean slate and a more intentional look.
Pro Tip: If you still want to display items, contain them. Use a single, stylish magnetic board or a few matching frames on the panel to create a curated display instead of a free-for-all.
14. The Breathable Aircon Cover
That large, white wall-mounted air conditioning unit can dominate a room, especially during the off-season. A stylish, breathable cover can help it blend into the wall.
Build a simple, lightweight wooden frame that fits around the unit, leaving a few inches of clearance on all sides. For the front panel, use a material that allows for airflow, such as cane webbing, lattice, or decorative perforated metal. This keeps it from looking like a big plastic box while still being ready for use.
Pro Tip: Ensure the cover is super easy to remove. Attaching it to the wall with French cleats is a great option that makes it secure but simple to lift off. As Goh Ling Yong would advise, functionality should never be sacrificed for form.
15. The Behind-the-Door Cleaning Caddy
Brooms, mops, and dusters leaning in a corner create instant visual clutter. Use the hidden space behind a pantry, laundry room, or closet door for ultimate stealth storage.
Build a very slim, vertical open shelving unit that's no deeper than the door frame. Add hooks and clips to hold your cleaning tools neatly in place. When the door is open, everything is organized and accessible; when it's closed, the mess completely disappears.
Pro Tip: Paint the caddy the same colour as the door or the wall behind it to make it even more invisible when the door is ajar.
16. The Hollowed-Out Book Charging Station
End the chaos of tangled charging cables on your nightstand or entryway table. This clever DIY uses old books to create a secret charging hub.
Find a thick, old hardcover book (or glue a few together). Use a craft knife to carefully cut a rectangular cavity into the pages, leaving the first page and the cover intact. Place a small, slim power strip inside, run the main cord out the back, and feed the charging cables through small notches. Close the book, and your charging station vanishes.
Pro-Tip: This is the perfect companion project to the Secret Agent Router Cover, creating a cohesive, tech-hiding theme on your shelves.
17. The Sliding Barn Door Utility Cover
Have an awkward alcove with a water heater, a stacked washer/dryer, or open utility shelving? Instead of a standard door that swings out and takes up space, install a trendy sliding barn door.
You can buy a barn door hardware kit relatively cheaply online. For the door itself, you can use reclaimed wood for a rustic look or a simple piece of painted MDF for a more modern aesthetic. It’s a stylish architectural feature that effectively hides a large, unsightly area.
Pro Tip: This is a fantastic solution for small HDB flats or condos where swing-out doors can make a hallway feel cramped.
18. The Luxe Laundry Hamper Cabinet
Plastic laundry hampers sitting in the corner of a bedroom or bathroom can cheapen the look of the space. Elevate your laundry solution by tucking them away inside a piece of furniture.
An old dresser or a simple two-door cabinet is perfect for this. Remove the doors and install pull-out laundry bags or baskets on drawer slides. Alternatively, use a tilt-out mechanism similar to the trash can project. You get a beautiful surface for storage or decor, and the dirty laundry stays out of sight.
Pro Tip: Use two separate bags inside—one for whites and one for colours—to make laundry day even easier.
Creating a home you love isn't about having a perfect, magazine-worthy space. It's about making smart, intentional choices that bring you a sense of peace and order. You don't need a massive budget or a contractor on speed dial to tackle the visual clutter that everyday life brings. All you need is a little inspiration and the willingness to get creative.
Start small. Pick the one eyesore that bothers you the most—that messy cord, that ugly router—and give one of these projects a try this weekend. You'll be amazed at how a single, simple change can transform the feel of an entire room.
Which of these DIY projects are you most excited to try? Or do you have another genius way to hide an everyday eyesore? Share your ideas and successes in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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