How to hide this circuit breaker?

by Nilsa Cintron

+71

Answered

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 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.

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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)

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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?

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Janet Pizaro on Sep 15, 2016
https://www.pinterest.com/phoser/breaker-box-...

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Debbie motley on Sep 15, 2016
I had the same problem. I bought a canvas print and it worked perfectly.

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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

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Nina Leone on Sep 15, 2016
I hung a cork bulletin board over mine. Easy to remove when needed.

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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

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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

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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.

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Sue Maone on Sep 16, 2016
Hang a picture over it.

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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.

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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.

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- Shirley Weagle on Sep 16, 2016
  was going to say the same thing
  
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512181 on Sep 16, 2016
If it is metal, put a simple frame around it add some magnets and make it a message board?

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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.

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Kathleen Komor Hastings on Sep 16, 2016
I put a canvas picture over mine, it sticks out so you need the depth.

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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...

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- 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.
  
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Frances on Sep 16, 2016
Prop a tall shutter over it. Hang a wreath or pic on it. Can be moved as needed.

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Cheryl Livermore on Sep 16, 2016
Make a cabinet with side shelf and make it part of the decoration

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Jacki on Sep 16, 2016
Cover w wall hanging (rug picture. Old kitchen cab door) mirrors

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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"

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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- NancyMaria on Sep 16, 2016
  Just what I was thinking, :)
  
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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.

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Lee Deal on Sep 16, 2016
I was thinking you could hang a frame around it then stencil a picture that matches what ever décor 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.

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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.

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Jcw on Sep 16, 2016
I always liked painting them to look like the old British phone booths

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Alice on Sep 16, 2016
Hang your favorite oil painting/photo/calendar over it

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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.

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Sherry Cohen on Sep 16, 2016
Hang a medium size mirror over it.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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???????

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Norma on Sep 16, 2016
Hang a picture over top. Build up the sides then attach the picture to built up edges.

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Marlene Soto on Sep 16, 2016
I used a picture hung over it to hide it mine is smack in middle of hallway

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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.

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Polly Fuller on Sep 16, 2016
i had the same problem. find a pretty, shallow basket and hang it right over the box.

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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.

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- Nilsa Cintron on Sep 16, 2016
  No it's an apt
  
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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.

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Linda on Sep 16, 2016
Painted canvas would be thick enough to hide it and easy enough to remove. 😃

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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.

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Ducky on Sep 16, 2016
Maybe a fancy little curtain to make it look like a small window!

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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!!

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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.

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Nilsa Cintron on Sep 16, 2016

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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.

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Aileen on Sep 16, 2016
My mom hung a picture over hers

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Polly Fuller on Sep 17, 2016
put a shallow basket over it.

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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!

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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.

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Diana on Sep 18, 2016
I hung a small quilt on a dowel over mine.

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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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Ann|The Apple Street Cottage on Mar 28, 2023

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

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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.

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Johnavallance82 on Apr 07, 2023

Hang a large Canvas on frame over it!

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Mogie on Apr 13, 2023

We hung dry erase board over ours.

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Ann|The Apple Street Cottage on Jun 24, 2023

Hang a picture over it.

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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.

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