Breaker box dilemma! Any ideas?
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Can you paint it the same color as the wall?
Buy a picture frame or paint a "frame" around the box, paint the metal door of the box and attach magnets. Now, next to your 'last look in the mirror', when you are leaving, you have a magnet board to hold your coupons, shopping list, etc., to grab as you go out the door! I've even seen magnets strong enough to hold a ring of keys, but that might project too far out from behind the door. But as the previous person said, paint will be the best way to start. Even free-handing a painted elaborate gold frame with curlicues and swirls will be fun, (or cut scrapbook paper, use washi tape, and so on) and the magnets will add function! Put up an After photo of whatever you decide to do!
You can install mirrored cabinet over the breaker box, so from the outside it looks like a regular cabinet, and you can check the mirror on your way out (I do the same!) No one will be the wiser! have fun!
I hung a large outdoor garden flag on a pretty curtain rod to cover my breaker box. Just like my flag on the outside, I change this one with every season.
can you build a frame around it and put mirror into the frame. You could hinge the side of the frame for easy access.
I'm not sure that what worked for me will for you but I'll put it out there. My last house was on the lake with stained bead board walls and copper accents. The breaker box, on the living room wall, was too high to cover with artwork so I painted the metal, frame and door, with copper metallic paint.This was done mid-'90s and not as much was available in metallic paint as is now. I used the Modern Masters brand, which IMHO gives a better finish than anything in a spray can. I actually liked it when done.
I plumb forgot to mention I am in an apartment building where there is a strict rule of "no painting" (or pay $300 non-refundable deposit, which I can't do). Thanks for the answers everyone! I'm going think about the frame thing because I can come out that much. Also, I'm liking the pretty flag idea too. Got me some thinking to do! Thanks again!
I will add an "after" when I come up with something!
I'm not very clever or crafty, so I hung a piece of art over mine. Simple to remove when I need access. I look forward to seeing your solution!
Frame it !! Cut out contact paper or wallpaper to fit so you can still open it if needed then add a frame around the whole metal cover. Cheap and easy.
Oops, I forgot to say, can be peeled off later and you can change it out any time you want to with no damage. Use something like 3m strips on the back of the frame so you don't even have to put a nail in the wall!
I have a picture of my daughter and me hanging over mine using the small round hooks in frame and small cup hooks in wall.
I found a cute tapestry and hung it on a curtain rod, Even the Command hooks could be used to hold the rod. Easy, no residue or damage. Good luck!
A shadow box frame would work
Mine was in a bedroom I did a fancy rod and hung a beautiful throw on it. No one knew It was beautiful
Just my opinion -
I like Geneandhelen's idea. I guess what I like about it is it's a more "generous" look. If you just cover the box, it looks like a deliberate attempt to cover one thing.
Also, using CecileH's idea of "framing" it, yes, and have two complimentary ones beside it. That way, it looks like a considered arrangement of art, not just covering something ugly.
Use a painting on canvas frame thatvis larger that the dimensions of the breaker box. They are on a hidden frame. If the edges of your painting are not finished you could easi paint the edges black. Easy fish. Little or no work b
I bought a cheap but pretty curtain rod and hung a beautiful blanket on it then placed it over our breaker box, which is identical to yours and located in our dining room. I spent about 5 dollars on the project as I already had a quilt made by a family member.
This is my finished project and I no longer have to look at my breaker box. It's amazing how this is noticed (and remarked/complimented on) when people come in the door. $4 picture on canvas at Goodwill, $5 hinge set from Ace, $2.50 gold stick on decorations from WalMart, and a $1 peel and stick "Welcome" from Dollar Tree ( white and black acrylic paint I already had). So, for $12.50 ...wah-lah!!! Thanks for all the awesome suggestions everyone. I'm so pleased with how this turned out. Let me know what you all think.
VERY NICE :)
Use magnets to hang your coupons, shopping lists, to do lists for another helper by the door..