Hide Any Wall Eyesore In Your Home Using An Ikea Frame Hack

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If there's a spot on your walls that's dragging down your room's overall look, you may only need a pair of IKEA picture frames to create a hinged cover that hides it away forever. A DIY cover is a perfect solution for household fixtures like electrical panels, outlets in awkward positions, or thermostats that, although ugly, are still necessary and should be easy to reach. This will create an attractive piece of wall art you can swing open and closed, giving you quick and convenient access to whatever lies behind it.

For this chic and simple IKEA decor hack that will instantly beautify your home, you can start with two matching deep frames, such as RÖDALM or SANNAHED frames. They need to be at least 1 ¼ inches deep to allow enough space to attach the hinges. Though IKEA sells hinges, they're far too large for this project. Simple butt hinges (such as Murtenze Door Hinges) work well, but make sure that each leaf is no wider than an inch. The hinge should also have a wide swinging range, well over 90 degrees. This will allow more space to access the object you're hiding, which is especially important when covering the eyesore of an electrical box. 

You will also need four right angle brackets for a sturdy wall mount and two magnetic door catches to ensure the two frames stay firmly shut. A simple variation of this hack is using just one frame and hinging it directly onto the wall. This may require more hinges for extra support, depending on the size of the frame. 

The picture frames should be a few inches wider and taller than the feature you want to hide. Start by removing all the components from both frames. The hinges will be installed on the outside of the frames so as to not interfere with the glass and mat boards if you ever want to switch prints. If the item you're hiding also has a door, like an electrical panel, the hinges on the cover should swing open in the same direction. To make the hinges less visible, buy them in the color of the frames or paint them to match. Place them a few inches from the top and bottom of the frames. 

Hold the two frames flush together, standing them on the floor with the edges that will be hinged facing up. Fasten the hinges using coarse-thread screws and a drill, or follow a few easy tips for drilling pilot holes before going in with the screws for a cleaner installation. Next, attach the right angle brackets on the inside edge of the frame, with the half of the bracket that isn't attached to the frame facing outwards to sit against the wall within the frame's perimeter. You'll also need to install the magnetic door catches on the inside of the frames in the outer corners. These typically need screws, though some, like these Jiayi Magnetic Cabinet Door Catches, come with adhesive strips. Finally, reassemble your front frame with a print of your liking, and mount the structure on the wall around the spot you wish to hide, ensuring it is level and secure.