Let’s face it, furnaces and water heaters aren’t the prettiest features in our homes. But with a bit of creativity, we can easily tuck them away, keeping our spaces beautiful and clutter-free.
1. Curtain Call
One of my favorite quick fixes is using a curtain to hide unsightly appliances. Simply install a ceiling-mounted track and pick a fabric that complements your room. It’s a chic solution that makes accessing your furnace or water heater a breeze.
Maybe worth checking out:
- Ceiling-Mounted Curtain Track: This ceiling-mounted track allows you to easily hang curtains to conceal appliances, providing a sleek and functional cover.
- Decorative Room Divider Curtains: Choose a decorative curtain that complements your room’s décor, making your space look stylish while hiding unsightly appliances.
- Curtain Accessories Kit: A complete accessories kit with ties and hooks to ensure the curtain is properly fitted and easily movable for quick access.
2. Custom Cabinetry
Building a custom cabinet around your water heater is a practical way to hide it while adding storage space. I’ve done this in my own home, using leftover wood to create a charming cabinet that blends seamlessly with my decor. You can even add a shelf on top for extra utility.
Try these:
- Wooden Cabinet Kits: These kits provide all the necessary materials to create a custom cabinet for your water heater, allowing you to blend your installation seamlessly with home decor.
- Heavy-Duty Hinges: Durable hinges are essential for building sturdy cabinet doors that can withstand frequent use and provide smooth operation.
- Decorative Shelf Brackets: Add a touch of style to your custom cabinet with decorative brackets that support additional shelving above your water heater.
3. Artful Divider
A freestanding art divider is a beautiful way to separate your utility area from the rest of your space. I love using panels with stunning artwork or photographs, which not only hide but also enhance the room’s aesthetic. Choose a piece that speaks to your personal style.
You might give these a try:
- Decorative Folding Room Divider: A stylish way to conceal your furnace and water heater while adding a touch of elegance to your space. Choose a design that complements your room’s décor.
- Art Print Privacy Screen: This privacy screen features beautiful artwork that can enhance your room’s visual appeal, while effectively hiding utility areas.
- Freestanding Panel with Artwork: A freestanding panel that showcases stunning artwork, offering privacy and an artistic element to your living area.
4. Mirrored Magic
Why not use a mirror to both hide and enlarge your space? A mirrored panel can effectively mask your furnace while reflecting light to make the room feel bigger. I’ve found that this trick works wonders in narrow or dimly lit areas.
May just do the trick:
- Large Wall Mirror Panel: A large wall mirror panel can effectively cover and conceal appliances while adding a sense of openness by reflecting light.
- Mirror Adhesive Strips: These adhesive strips provide a secure way to mount mirrors without damaging the wall, ideal for temporary or permanent installations.
- Mirrored Sliding Door Kit: A mirrored sliding door kit offers both functionality and style, perfect for hiding unsightly areas while making the space feel larger.
5. Vintage Closet Doors
Give your space a touch of nostalgia with vintage closet doors. These can be repurposed to hide your utility units while adding a charming, retro vibe. I found a lovely set at a flea market that worked perfectly in my basement.
Give these a look:
- Antique Style Closet Doors: These antique-style doors can bring a nostalgic vibe to any room, helping to elegantly hide utility units.
- Decorative Door Hinges: These decorative hinges add a touch of vintage style and functionality to your vintage doors.
- Wood Stain and Finish Kit: This kit includes everything needed to refinish and protect your vintage doors, enhancing their classic appearance.
6. Room Dividers
A simple room divider can be a quick and effective way to hide your water heater or furnace. I’ve used folding screens, which are easy to move when you need to access your appliances. Choose a design that complements your room’s theme.
These products might be useful:
- Wooden Folding Room Divider Screen: A sturdy wooden divider that offers both privacy and an elegant touch to your space. Easily foldable for convenient storage and access.
- Decorative Fabric Panel Room Divider: A stylish fabric panel room divider that enhances room decor while effectively hiding appliances. Lightweight and easy to move.
- Oriental Style Room Divider: An oriental-inspired room divider that provides a classic look, perfect for creating a secluded area in any room.
7. Built-In Bookshelves
Transform your utility area with built-in bookshelves. By building shelves around your furnace or water heater, you can disguise them while adding storage for books and decor. This has become a favorite feature in my library nook.
A few suggestions:
- Adjustable Bookshelf Kits: These kits provide you with all the components needed to build tailored bookshelves around your furnace or water heater, maximizing your storage and design flexibility.
- Decorative Bookends: Add a touch of elegance and support to your book collection with decorative bookends, perfect for enhancing your built-in bookshelves.
- Shelf Lighting Strips: Illuminate your books and decor with LED lighting strips designed for bookshelves, adding ambiance and visibility to your reading nook.
8. Plant Screen
For a touch of greenery, consider using a plant screen. Tall indoor plants can provide a natural barrier that hides your appliances while adding life to the room. I love how my fiddle leaf figs create a lush, green partition in my sunroom.
Check these products out:
- Tall Indoor Planter with Stand: A tall planter with a sleek stand can elevate your plants, helping to create a more substantial screen for your appliances.
- Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree: An artificial fiddle leaf fig tree offers the appearance of lush greenery without the need for maintenance.
- Adjustable Plant Stand: An adjustable plant stand allows you to customize the height of your potted plants, enhancing their screening capability.
9. Chic Blinds
Install some chic blinds to cover up your utility area. Vertical or horizontal blinds can be mounted easily and pulled down whenever you need your appliances out of sight. In my home, I chose wooden blinds that match my hardwood floors.
Possibly helpful picks:
- Wooden Window Blinds: These wooden blinds add a natural, warm look and can be matched to your hardwood floors for an integrated decor style.
- Horizontal Faux Wood Blinds: Faux wood blinds offer the beauty of real wood with added durability, perfect for areas with high humidity like utility areas.
- Vertical Blinds for Large Windows: Vertical blinds are ideal for coverage and easy operation, providing a modern look to hide utility areas efficiently.
10. Decorative Panels
Decorative panels are a stylish way to hide your furnace or water heater. Choose panels with intricate designs or patterns that enhance your interior decor. I found some exquisite laser-cut panels that serve as both art and concealment in my studio.
A few relevant products:
- Laser-Cut Room Divider Panels: These laser-cut panels offer a blend of privacy and aesthetic appeal while allowing light to pass through. Ideal for concealing furnaces or water heaters with a touch of elegance.
- Freestanding Decorative Screens: Use these freestanding screens to add visual interest and cover unsightly areas effortlessly. They can be easily moved and adjusted to fit your space.
- Wall-Mounted Lattice Panels: Lattice panels can be mounted on walls to create beautiful architectural details while hiding utility areas. Available in various patterns to suit your decor.
11. Fabric Screens
A fabric screen offers a soft and colorful way to hide your appliances. Choose a fabric that suits your style and hang it on a simple frame. I created a bold statement in my guest room with a vibrant screen that doubles as a headboard.
A few choices to try:
- Decorative Room Divider Screen: This room divider screen can add a colorful and stylish element to your space, perfect for hiding appliances like a furnace or water heater.
- Vibrant Fabric Panel: A vibrant fabric panel suitable for use on room divider frames, adding a unique and cozy touch to any room.
- DIY Room Divider Frame Kit: A frame kit that allows you to customize your own fabric screen, making it easy to create a personalized solution for covering appliances.
12. Louvered Doors
For a classic look, consider louvered doors. These doors provide ventilation while hiding your water heater or furnace. In my beach house, I opted for white louvered doors that blend perfectly with the coastal decor.
Possibly handy products:
- White Louvered Bi-Fold Door: A white louvered bi-fold door perfect for ventilation and style, complementing coastal decor.
- Door Hinges for Louvered Doors: Durable door hinges designed for easy installation of louvered doors.
- Door Knobs for Louvered Closet: Elegant door knobs specifically for louvered closets, adding a touch of style.
13. Faux Wall
Create a faux wall using lightweight materials to hide your appliances. This solution gives the illusion of a separate room without major construction. I used this trick in my loft, and it completely transformed the space.
Products that could assist:
- Lightweight Wood Panels: These versatile panels are easy to install and provide a natural, warm finish to create a faux wall.
- Room Divider Screen: A portable and flexible option to quickly hide appliances without permanent installation.
- Adjustable Wall Frame Kit: This kit allows you to build a customizable frame for mounting panels, creating a hidden partition.
14. Repurposed Antique Doors
I adore using repurposed antique doors to hide modern appliances. These doors add character and history to your decor, making your utility area a unique feature. I found a pair of charming doors at an antique shop that now grace my laundry room.
Some ideas to consider:
- Antique-Style Door Hinges: These hinges offer a classic look and sturdy support for hanging and utilizing antique doors in your decor.
- Decorative Door Handles: Add a touch of elegance and function to your antique doors with these beautifully designed door handles.
- Wood Preservation Oil: This oil helps maintain and protect the wood of your antique doors, ensuring they stay vibrant and last longer.
15. Wall Art Installation
Consider creating a wall art installation to cover up your furnace or water heater. Choose a series of paintings or prints that can form a large composition. In my hallway, I used a collection of botanical prints to beautifully disguise the utility area.
Might be a good match:
- Set of Botanical Print Wall Art: A collection of botanical prints that can help create a stunning wall art installation, perfect for disguising utility areas like the furnace or water heater.
- Wall Art Hanging Kit: Ensure your wall art is securely and neatly installed with this all-in-one hanging kit. Suitable for various types of artwork.
- Framed Artwork Set: A ready-to-hang collection of framed artworks that can easily blend with different interior styles while providing a functional cover.
16. Decorative Screen
A pretty decorative screen can instantly hide unsightly appliances. Look for screens with interesting textures or patterns to add depth to your space. I have a rattan screen in my living room that adds a touch of bohemian flair.
Consider these options:
- Rattan Room Divider Screen: A stylish rattan room divider that adds warmth and a bohemian touch to any space. Perfect for concealing appliances while enhancing your decor.
- Folding Privacy Screen with Patterns: An intricate folding privacy screen with patterns that adds visual interest and functionality, ideal for hiding unsightly areas in your home.
- Woven Panel Room Divider: A woven panel room divider that combines texture and elegance, providing a seamless way to partition space or hide appliances.
17. Chalkboard Cover
Turn your utility cover into a fun chalkboard that can be used for notes and doodles. It’s a creative way to hide your water heater while adding functionality. In my kitchen, it serves as a message board for family reminders.
A few things you might like:
- Chalkboard Contact Paper: Self-adhesive chalkboard contact paper can be easily applied to various surfaces, transforming them into a functional chalkboard for notes and doodles.
- Chalk Markers: Vibrant chalk markers that work well on chalkboard surfaces, perfect for creating colorful messages and designs.
- Magnetic Chalkboard Sheet: A magnetic chalkboard sheet adds functionality, allowing you to post notes and reminders with magnets in addition to writing on it.
18. Shiplap Wall
A shiplap wall can hide your utilities while adding a touch of farmhouse charm. This classic design element creates a seamless look that complements many decors. I used shiplap in my mudroom, and it beautifully conceals the furnace.
A few helpful options:
- Shiplap Wall Planks: These planks are perfect for creating a farmhouse-style shiplap wall. Easy to install and can add texture and charm to any space.
- Wood Stain: Enhance the natural beauty of your shiplap with this wood stain, which offers protection and a variety of color options to match your decor.
- Nail Gun: A nail gun makes installation quicker and more efficient, ensuring your shiplap wall is secure and stylish.
