Conceal A Water Heater Eyesore With A Solution From Costco

Some home features that provide the greatest creature comforts come at the expense of aesthetics. Still, that doesn't mean you can't take measures to address the eyesores. From concealing an unsightly indoor AC unit to improving your curb appeal by hiding your trash cans, working these unsightly home essentials in with the rest of your home's decor can transform them into design features that masterfully blend form and function. When it comes to water heaters, one chic concealment option can be found in the homewares aisles of Costco — it's a slat wall that's easy to install.

The Artika Panolok Slat Wall Set comes in packs of eight modern, fluted wood panels measuring 5.91-inches wide by 93.5-inches long — grab one or more sets to block the view of your water heater. Each set will cover 30.67 square feet and includes two end caps and one corner cap for a seamless finish, all for $120. The panels come in two finishes — oak and walnut — and can be painted to suit your space. If you love a contemporary, minimalist, and naturalist aesthetic, you'll love these panels. Using them to hide your water heater is a trendy accent wall idea that will bring your home to life.

Whether or not the Artika Panolok panels will work to cover your water heater depends on where the appliance is located. These panels are designed to be nailed to an existing wall, so you'll have to get inventive to use them to create a wall to hide the water heater. For example, you may be able to conceal a water heater behind the panels easily if it is located in a recessed nook of a room, so the panels could be installed over the nook opening. If you don't have any existing structure to anchor the panels to, you may need to DIY a standalone frame to create a movable partition using the panels.

If the panels cover the water heater completely, they need to be removable to allow access to the water heater as needed. Most homeowners don't have to tinker with their water heaters on a daily basis, but they do need to be drained once a year (and be sure to keep an eye out for these telltale signs that it's time to drain your water heater). So instead of nailing the panels to the wall as the product intends, install a wooden beam along the top of the nook opening so the panels can rest on top, essentially hanging from the beam. That way, the water heater stays both out of sight and accessible.