How to hide this circuit breaker?

Nilsa Cintron
by Nilsa Cintron
Entry way update. I bought a co-op and started renovating but am stumped as what to do with the entryway. The circuit breaker box is smack in the middle how the heck can I hide it?
Horrible circuit breaker box smack in the middle of the entryway.
  70 answers
  • Archie Archie on Sep 15, 2016
    I have several pictures on box frames. Find one that will fit over the breaker box and you have it hidden.
  • Louise James Louise James on Sep 15, 2016
    The answer above is the best to hide it completely. ..or you can hide it in plain sight by getting a bunch of old artifacts ( little cupboards and shelves and such) and hang them on the wall in an interesting arrangement that includes the power box (I would either strip it or paint it to stand out rather than blend in with the wall colour)
  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Sep 15, 2016
    I do hate when the builder's do this type of thing! Perhaps a large pieces of artwork that is built out from the wall with wood as an accent?
  • Debbie motley Debbie motley on Sep 15, 2016
    I had the same problem. I bought a canvas print and it worked perfectly.
  • Cathy Graham Cathy Graham on Sep 15, 2016
    The box is really not to be covered up, my electrician told me. Mine is in the laundry. Just remember what ever you put up will need to come down to do any work
  • Nina Leone Nina Leone on Sep 15, 2016
    I hung a cork bulletin board over mine. Easy to remove when needed.
  • Judy Riley Judy Riley on Sep 16, 2016
    stencil it and put a frame around it so it looks like a painting then add similar sized pictures so it doesn't stand out
  • Sandra. Jackson Sandra. Jackson on Sep 16, 2016
    You could always cover it up with another small cupboard and add some hooks inside and use it as a key holder
  • Rebecca Durnal Rebecca Durnal on Sep 16, 2016
    I agree with Cathy Graham, for safety reasons, it should not be covered. You know it is there, but in an emergency situation, someone else may not. I suggest painting it a solid color and then apply a simple decal. Surround it with a few pictures of similar size and color, it will be part of a collage, but still visible and identifiable.
  • Sue Maone Sue Maone on Sep 16, 2016
    Hang a picture over it.
  • MaryAnn McCollum McNees MaryAnn McCollum McNees on Sep 16, 2016
    In our state if you cover it, you're in trouble. Hang a picture over and have the inspector find it, more trouble and fines. Check the codes in your area to avoid fines, talk to a certified electrician. That's probably why it is sticking out in the middle of your entry. They have codes that require that it be easily accessible. I have a huge one in my kitchen, it is ugly and the impression the electrician left me with, that I can't even paint it. Hope you find a better way than I was left with, good luck.
  • Marcia Marcia on Sep 16, 2016
    How about getting a shadow box, take the back off so you can hang it over the box. Find a beautiful piece of wallpaper (sticks well to glass) or fabric an cover the glass. Hang.
  • 512181 512181 on Sep 16, 2016
    If it is metal, put a simple frame around it add some magnets and make it a message board?
  • PRESIDENTSAC PRESIDENTSAC on Sep 16, 2016
    I agree you can't cover it, take Lynda's idea of a frame around it, paint it with chalkboard paint, add a couple of magnets and you have a message board. The real issue from electricians I have spoken to about the subject is that flammables need to be kept away from the front so sparks won't start a fire.
  • Kathleen Komor Hastings Kathleen Komor Hastings on Sep 16, 2016
    I put a canvas picture over mine, it sticks out so you need the depth.
  • Jim L Jim L on Sep 16, 2016
    Since in your state you are not supposed to hang anything over it. How about a large flat basket the would hang on the box? That way, to remove the basket in an emergency, all you would have to do is "bump" the basket and it is off...
    • Dfm Dfm on Aug 20, 2017

      most baskets are flammable. every electrician that's done work at my place(s) say not to cover or hide it. if the box heats up, the decorative cover may fuel a fire. nothing that would fuel a fire around that box please.


      i done survived 1 house fire, don't need more.

  • Frances Frances on Sep 16, 2016
    Prop a tall shutter over it. Hang a wreath or pic on it. Can be moved as needed.
  • Cheryl Livermore Cheryl Livermore on Sep 16, 2016
    Make a cabinet with side shelf and make it part of the decoration
  • Jacki Jacki on Sep 16, 2016
    Cover w wall hanging (rug picture. Old kitchen cab door) mirrors
  • Shirley Weagle Shirley Weagle on Sep 16, 2016
    Build a frame around it; place a kitchen cupboard door or place a wood panel with hinges on one side, with handle on it; and build or place a shelf below the circuit breaker. Still easy access but looking good in the entry way. Also, I googled "ideas for hiding a circuit box"
  • FRED RIGGS FRED RIGGS on Sep 16, 2016
    Best for you to check with local electrical code, before hanging anything or putting anything over it, to hide it. That would be the last thing I would do. It carries a lot of danger, 240 volts coming in with 100amps., Enough to cause a problem. You need instant access if anything goes wrong. It is a necessary piece of equipment and I would not do anything with it. Everyone has one, let it alone, please. Nobody cares, except you.
  • Lindy Lindy on Sep 16, 2016
    We hid ours by framing it in 3" x 3/4 inch wood-no mitre cut needed. We attached a bifold shutter over it. For our area it was perfect. You could do the same with a picture, put hinges on one side that won't show, or put a simple door on the frame with decorative moulding make it a place to hang keys inside and label it in in a decorative manner noting circuit breaker and keys.ā€‹
  • April Monaco April Monaco on Sep 16, 2016
    Did you see the post on here about a folding screen a lady used in her front yard by the doorway, it was awesome, that's one quick fix for an eyesore! You don't have to use old fence and hinges, you can use pallets and hinges.
  • Melody McSweeney Melody McSweeney on Sep 16, 2016
    I'd find a classy frame (no glass needed) with the inset at least 3" wider than box (think matting) and just hang the frame around it. . . sort of a "tongue-in-cheek" fuse box?
  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Sep 16, 2016
    You could make a box from the skids.Here they are to the curb in all sizes.Find one the right size.The issue with access could be covered by cutting out a opening that would access the panel doors.Then find some used bi fold doors.Get the hinges for them at any hardware store.
  • Lee Deal Lee Deal on Sep 16, 2016
    I was thinking you could hang a frame around it then stencil a picture that matches what ever dƩcor you are going for in the common areas. You could make the frame whatever size you wanted to make it look like matting or to increase the size of your picture area.
  • Al Al on Sep 16, 2016
    Maybe you could add sheetrock to build the wall out and make the box surface flush. Them just hang a picture over it, or frame around it and paint the door with some nice scene . This way, you don't really have to get inside the box. If it needs to be replaced later, it's easy to knock out the sheetrock, and the paint idea will not affect heat buildup. If the box runs hot at any time (a little warm under full load is normal) , it's time for an electrician.
  • Jcw Jcw on Sep 16, 2016
    I always liked painting them to look like the old British phone booths
  • Tammy Scott Tammy Scott on Sep 16, 2016
    Here's a great idea for the entry....especially if you have a family http://img1.myhomeideas.timeinc.net/sites/def...
  • Caitlin 'Mulvaney' White Caitlin 'Mulvaney' White on Sep 16, 2016
    What about a wrapped canvas? You may be able to find one deep enough or a large shadow box frame and add your own picture.
  • Amy Amy on Sep 16, 2016
    you could buy from craft store a shadow box that is larger than the circuit box, flip it, decoupage a picture on the back, and place it over the box.
  • Martha Martha on Sep 16, 2016
    I bought a wrapped canvas frame approximately the same size as breaker box and painted it the same color as wall. It literally disappeared into the wall. Easy fix.
  • Alice Alice on Sep 16, 2016
    Hang your favorite oil painting/photo/calendar over it
  • Arline Walker Arline Walker on Sep 16, 2016
    I bought a shutter at a salvage store. Painted it, put hinges on one side so that when it was opened I could accent the panel. You can then decorate the shutter as you wish. This was in a vacation rental unit. When people would trip the breaker and call me, I would just tell them to swing the shutter open. No one ever knew the panel was behind the shutter.
  • Sherry Cohen Sherry Cohen on Sep 16, 2016
    Hang a medium size mirror over it.
  • Sherry H. Sherry H. on Sep 16, 2016
    I would decoupage it with a nice picture. You could change it from time to time and have fun doing it. Hey you could go with the Seasons look.
  • Deb Stephens Perkins Deb Stephens Perkins on Sep 16, 2016
    I used a tapestry to cover it. Easily hung up and easily moved if you need to get to the box
  • Donna C. Donna C. on Sep 16, 2016
    I bought an old ladder,hung old linens on it and hung it over the box. You would never know the box is there
  • Susan Susan on Sep 16, 2016
    I would paint a one inch border around it, then you could decoupage fabric on it and frame it out from border as that would be the mat inside the frame.
  • Jan Jan on Sep 16, 2016
    Find a sofa picture that you love and hang it over it.....you don't often need to get to it, but the picture should be light enough to move when you need it. You could also find a trip-tic that you like and hang the middle one over the box - you just need to build the other two out to match - you could use a shelf above and hang them from the shelf???????
  • Norma Norma on Sep 16, 2016
    Hang a picture over top. Build up the sides then attach the picture to built up edges.
  • Marlene Soto Marlene Soto on Sep 16, 2016
    I used a picture hung over it to hide it mine is smack in middle of hallway
  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Sep 16, 2016
    Can you put an empty frame around it as well as on the wall and either make it the center point by painting it a color that goes with rest of area or leave them all empty so that it just blends in? Good luck.
  • Polly Fuller Polly Fuller on Sep 16, 2016
    i had the same problem. find a pretty, shallow basket and hang it right over the box.
  • Tammy Bacon Tammy Bacon on Sep 16, 2016
    Is this a business? I would make a chalkboard the size needed and make the frame match the area and hang it there. If it is for a business you could use it to advertise upcoming specials and if it is a home you could keep a To Do list on it. Either way, the entry way is the perfect place for it to me.
  • Cwh6899259 Cwh6899259 on Sep 16, 2016
    I have the same problem in my entrance. There is now a mirror in a deep oak frame (like a shadow box, but mirror is where the front glass would be) the box area is empty. This sits on the wall perfectly from the top edge of the panel box.
  • Linda Linda on Sep 16, 2016
    Painted canvas would be thick enough to hide it and easy enough to remove. šŸ˜ƒ
  • Maxie9999 Maxie9999 on Sep 16, 2016
    How about a message centre? Make a small frame around the entire box. Paint the inside door with chalk board paint. Cover the outer flat portion of the box with stick on cork to pin up messages. Screw in cup hooks to the bottom of the box for keys or hang a micro recorder for taped messages.
  • Ducky Ducky on Sep 16, 2016
    Maybe a fancy little curtain to make it look like a small window!
  • Cata Garza Lecea Cata Garza Lecea on Sep 16, 2016
    My husband built it a wooden "trap door" with a beautiful crystal knob, and it looks so chic, it tempts visitors to open it!!
  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 16, 2016
    That box needs to be visible to emergency personnel. I would paint it with chalkboard paint, and add a few magnets, and a small magnetic bin for chalk. Since it is in the entry, put boards with pegs or coat hooks on either side. A board under it with hooks for keys and such, and you have a One-Stop for coming and going. Jacket, keys, notes--all in one place.
  • Jorja Love Jorja Love on Sep 16, 2016
    I have one of these at my rear door entryway. I made it my mudroom/doggie leash area. I paneled the wall, added hooks for coats, and a mirror large enough to cover the access panel. My home has been re-wired years ago so the access panel is obsolete and, I like having a mirror next to all entry doors for that last minute makeup and skirt check. You have no idea how many times I have caught myself from walking out the door with mis-matched shoes, curlers in the back of my hair, and makeup that looked weird. So, whatever you do, you should include a mirror.
  • Aileen Aileen on Sep 16, 2016
    My mom hung a picture over hers
  • Polly Fuller Polly Fuller on Sep 17, 2016
    put a shallow basket over it.
  • Galen W. Yoder Galen W. Yoder on Sep 17, 2016
    Let's stop and think this completely through! I know it isn't a pretty item but it has to stay visible and un-obstructed for access,not just a good idea, but it is also a Building Code & Fire Code Requirement! If that isn't enough to convince you,let's say you or a loved one were in a situation that you were being uncontrollably shocked by a faulty appliance or an electrical cord and the breaker would not trip off! ( judging by the picture , that is not the newer more sensitive electrical panels currently being used--making my scenario more possible!!), Wouldn't you be very thankful that someone near by new what to do-,Find the panel and kill the power! Little racks beside the panel to decorate the surrounding areas are a good alternative, but covering it up is not a good idea! My only decorative idea would be to put a thin frame-work that looks like a small rustic house around it and paint the panel door to look like an out house for the GE stick figure "Sparky" crescent moon and all! OK that's more of a Man Cave thing, sorry!
  • Polly Fuller Polly Fuller on Sep 18, 2016
    the basket i used was about 18 in. across and 28 in. long. it was 3 in. deep and with an open weave. you could see through the lattice work on the bottom to know there was a circuit breaker there, but it was still decorative and not nearly as noticeable.
  • Diana Diana on Sep 18, 2016
    I hung a small quilt on a dowel over mine.
  • Amm6807435 Amm6807435 on Sep 19, 2016
    If you can't hang a big beautiful, cool kind of basket over it ( which could come off and on easily )Then I would paint the outer part of it in a flat black, then the door part of it a shiny gold or silver.... Maybe a mirror on door part. If that's not enough... Then add a hook under it and hang something on it, maybe an umbrella...
  • FRED RIGGS FRED RIGGS on Sep 20, 2016
    I agree with Galen, I would check local electric code before doing anything. You might go to a lot of trouble, and find you are in violation of NEC code.
  • Mar7419110 Mar7419110 on Oct 08, 2016
    I actually made a coilage of postcards on a canvass and frame it. I used travel postcards and the frame bars that you purchase at Michaels. A size bigger that the breaker box can be custom made to fit your area. --- painted the frame--- added a hanger and it can be removed if you need access. I will submit a photo shortly.
  • Rory McBean Rory McBean on Aug 18, 2017

    I have 2 circuit boxes, grey and ugly, in my family room. This is prime property and I'm not sure what to do with them. I could paint them to match the wall, but again, they are in the way of hanging art work because the boxes are not centered on the wall. I have been toying with the idea of hanging a neutral cloth on the wall to cover the boxes and then hanging art work on top. What should I do?

  • Barb Barb on Aug 19, 2017

    First I would paint it another color making it look like a inviting entry wa, the purple looks more like a little girls room or artdecko looking. A light sage green? Heres a few photo the help with the he transformation. A tapestry on a iron scroll or a long picture being the box is higher up. If your wondering how to attach it use brackets l shape that's a little bigger than where the box juts out, so it appears to to flush on the wall a picture.

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  • Hang a picture over it or a large wall hanging - quilt?

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 03, 2023

    Is this a breaker panel on the wall or a box sitting in the middle of the floor. If it just the panel on the wall paint it the same color as your wall so it blends in with the wall more.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 07, 2023

    Hang a large Canvas on frame over it!

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 13, 2023

    We hung dry erase board over ours.

  • Hang a picture over it.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 01, 2023

    Strategically placed artwork, framed message boards, or a weaving or tapestry are all viable options for covering up obtrusive electrical eyesores.