Hide Microwave Eyesores In Your Kitchen With A Fast And Affordable DIY Solution

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According to the New York Post, the average American is in the kitchen for more than 1,000 hours per year. It's no surprise that so many people want that space to be more aesthetically appealing. No matter how great the paint color or counter material is, there are always a few things that stick out. The microwave is one of these culprits, hiding in plain sight and drawing the eye away from your streamlined look. While there are plenty of DIYs that let you turn a microwave eyesore into a stylish appliance garage or build a custom cart to store it in, these projects take a lot of work. A much quicker, easier, and more affordable solution is to take a leaf from The Wizard of Oz and hide it behind a curtain.

The genius part of this hideaway hack is the magnetic rod you hang the fabric on. This makes the whole thing as easy to remove as it is to hang. For those with this appliance mounted over the stove, the idea of material dangling down over the burners is a red flag. The mobile element lets you rest easy about what might otherwise be a potential fire hazard. DIY cafe curtains add a quaint charm to any kitchen, whether they're on the windows or covering the microwave. They're cute and leave plenty of room for color matching, eye-catching patterns, and customization. Now, you can spend less time worrying about what people think about the microwave and more time enjoying your kitchen.

Beautifying your kitchen with this clever hack requires just a few supplies, including a pair of scissors and a hanger like Rodzwin's magnetic curtain rod. You'll also need to select the fabric you want to make your curtain from. This is a great time to thrift premade cafe curtains that fit the space you want to cover, or even alter some drapes you already have at home. A no-sew adhesive like Larrel hem tape takes the stress out of hemming seams if alterations are needed. You can also buy new fabric and use the tape to make yours from scratch. With supplies gathered, it's time to hide that microwave.

Measure the length and height of your microwave and cut the fabric longer than you need it to ruffle or pleat. You'll also need an extra inch at every edge to hem. There are two ways to get the fabric onto the rod: Create a pocket by folding the top over and using the tape to secure it, or use clips like Azmoncy's curtain rings. Slide them on and attach the finished curtain to the door. As an alternative way to hide your microwave, hang towels instead of curtains. Longer tea towels can be hung over the magnetic rod and will hide the appliance much like the cafe curtains, and now you've got a towel storage option too: Win, win! Either way, you'll have an aesthetically balanced kitchen with no bulky microwave, and you managed to achieve the look without spending a ton of money or time on the problem.