Asked on Feb 25, 2018
How can I cover a large opening in my wall inexpensively?
by
Bar32015495
+3
The previous owner put an inlet into the drywall for a 70 inch TV with receptacles running into a hall closet to hold all the equipment too. My TV is a 50 inch and I can't afford to buy another one plus I cant afford the wireless internet that would be needed to be without an antennae for my Dish service. So my TV now sits in front of a large rectangular hole. Eventually I will have to hire someone to drywall it in but what can I do in the meantime?
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
I would drywall it in, not hard. Measure hole width and height, go to Home Depot and get some 2x2" wood cut to fit the 4 sides inside the hole. See if you can get the guy to cut your drywall for you too. Get some joint compound premix in a tub, a 6" taping knife, drywall screws, and drywall mesh tape.
Screw the wood into the opening back far enough back so when you put the drywall on top it will be flush with the wall. Then lay your drywall on top and screw in each corner and one screw in middle. Apply the mesh tape to the seams, and rub down. Then mud, sand, mud again, finish sand, prime and paint. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yxyHTZBneQ
If all that seems too much, then get a piece of 8x8 rigid foam insulation, cut larger than opening by at least an inch and half. Apply fabric, wall paper or contact paper to it to cover for a decorative accent piece. Center and hang over the opening using double sided tape or nail into the wall. You won't be able to fasten the TV into it, put your hanger up higher or lower and then position it in the middle.
Buy a 4 x 8 sheet of bead board and have it cut in half so you have two 4 x 4 pieces. Install one over the hole, finish off the edges by installing pieces of trim all around it. Paint all in your wall color. Hang your TV in the center of it if you want it wall mounted. If not, hang a picture. Or you could paint the bead board and trim a color different from your wall (for emphasis) and hang a collection of like objects in it.
Without a picture this hard to answer, but I will shoot from the hip on this one. Try attaching shutters or a shutter over the hole, it would add an aesthetic but not not obtrusive view. I don't understand if your tv is actually in the "hole" or you just want to cover an outlet. If you tv is in the "hole", maybe a small blind mounted and drawn down to cover any excess space. That's all I can suggest without a photo to determine exactly what the issue is.
Put up a Curtain or Voile or Picture or Mirror or sheet of MDF and decorate it. Or set in shelves if possible
Cover the hole with fabric to make like a pretty frame around it. You can still hang your TV in the hole, just make little holes for the cords to come out and use the cord covers you can purchase to cover the cords. This way you will still hide the hole until you can get someone to fix the hole for you.
Can you reduce the size of the hole by framing it with lightweight tiles or trim?