12 Interior Decor Eyesores And How To Hide Them

Every home has those unsightly spots that make us cringe when guests come over. You know what I’m talking about… the tangled cords, the ugly thermostat, or that ancient air conditioner that ruins your perfectly styled room.

But don’t worry, there are plenty of clever, budget-friendly tricks to help camouflage those pesky eyesores and keep your space looking polished. Get ready to outsmart the clutter and disguise the distractions. Your home’s about to look effortlessly flawless.

1. Tangled Cord Chaos

Cord spaghetti makes any room look messy, no matter how clean everything else is. I’ve seen clients literally cry over this problem!

Grab some cord covers that match your wall color, or try fabric cord concealers for a softer look. Another trick? Decorative boxes with small holes cut in the back make perfect charging stations.

My favorite solution remains cord clips that attach to desks, keeping everything tidy and accessible without the visual chaos.

2. Unsightly TV Wires

Nothing disrupts the vibe of a beautiful wall-mounted TV faster than dangling wires. Trust me, this ruins the sleek look you worked so hard to achieve!

Consider installing a simple cord cover channel painted the same color as your wall. For renters, furniture placement works wonders, too. Position a console table beneath your TV and run wires behind it.

Hollow books or decorative boxes on shelves can hide smaller components while adding character to your entertainment space.

3. Ugly Air Conditioning Units

Tired of that window AC unit ruining your room’s style? You’re not alone, those bulky boxes scream eyesore, but they’re a necessity in many homes.

Luckily, you don’t have to suffer their industrial ugliness all year. Custom covers that match your décor can work wonders. When the unit isn’t in use, try decorative screens or hinged artwork that swings over to hide it completely.

For wall units, build surrounding shelves to shift focus toward books and stylish objects instead of the clunky appliance lurking in the background.

4. Thermostat Eyesores

Thermostats often sit smack in the middle of prime wall space, disrupting your gallery wall dreams. Though small, they command attention in the worst way.

Hinged artwork offers an elegant solution, choose a small painting or photo on a hinge that swings open when you need temperature access. Alternatively, surround the thermostat with a gallery wall arrangement where it becomes just another rectangle among many.

Smart thermostats with customizable faceplates now offer design-friendly options that actually look intentional.

5. Exposed Radiators

Vintage radiators bring heat but zero style points to your carefully curated rooms. Yet these clunky metal monsters offer surprising design opportunities!

Custom radiator covers transform eyesores into functional surfaces for displaying books or plants. Look for covers with decorative metalwork that complements your style while allowing heat to circulate properly.

For budget solutions, a simple shelf above the radiator creates a focal point that draws attention upward, away from the radiator itself.

6. Unsightly Electrical Outlets

Outlets scattered across walls disrupt clean lines and visual flow. Especially annoying are those oddly placed ones that seem to mock your furniture arrangement plans!

Furniture placement remains your first defense, position pieces strategically to cover outlets not in regular use. For visible outlets, specialized covers now come in colors beyond basic white to match your wall paint exactly.

My secret weapon? Paintable outlet covers you can customize to disappear completely against patterned wallpaper or textured walls.

7. Dated Light Fixtures

Stuck staring at that outdated ceiling light every night? Rental properties often come with lighting fixtures straight from the 1980s that landlords refuse to update. These ceiling eyesores can dominate a room’s entire feel.

Swag kits let you drape stylish pendant lights from existing fixtures, creating a whole new focal point. Oversized lampshades can completely engulf ugly lights, transforming them instantly.

For flush mounts, magnetic decorative covers snap on easily. No tools, no landlord approval needed, and best of all, you can take them with you when you move.

8. Exposed Pipes And Plumbing

Bathroom and kitchen pipes often stick out like sore thumbs, especially in older buildings with exposed plumbing. These industrial elements clash with your carefully chosen fixtures.

Cabinet skirts offer charming solutions under sinks. Choose fabric that adds texture and color while hiding unsightly pipes. For exposed vertical pipes, hollow columns, or half-columns create architectural features from eyesores.

Even simple pipe covers from hardware stores can be painted or wallpapered to coordinate with your color scheme.

9. Unsightly Trash Bins

Garbage cans never enhance room aesthetics, yet we need them everywhere. Kitchen trash bins particularly challenge designers with their unavoidable presence.

Pull-out cabinet solutions remain ideal but aren’t always possible. Instead, consider decorative bins that look like furniture, woven baskets with lids, wooden crates, or metal containers that complement your décor.

For bathrooms, vintage metal containers, repurposed planters, or specialized furniture pieces with hidden compartments eliminate visual clutter while keeping function.

10. Router And Modem Madness

Blinking lights and tangled wires from internet equipment create tech clutter that ruins any aesthetic. Plus, these devices collect dust like magnets!

Decorative boxes with ventilation holes work wonders, choose options that complement your décor while allowing proper airflow. Hollow books on shelves provide another clever hiding spot that maintains signal strength.

Wall-mounting equipment behind furniture offers another solution, keeping everything functional yet invisible to guests admiring your impeccable taste.

11. Laundry Appliance Eyesores

Tired of your washer and dryer airing all your dirty laundry in plain sight? In homes without dedicated laundry rooms, these bulky machines often hog valuable space, and clash with your carefully curated décor.

Bi-fold doors or curtains on tracks can spin things in your favor by instantly hiding the mess when not in use. Got side-by-side units? Add a custom countertop for folding space and a cleaner look that keeps attention off the heavy-duty helpers below.

And for a fresh twist, removable vinyl wraps can dress up your machines in style. Because if you can’t hide them, at least make them look like they clean up well.

12. Pet Supply Clutter

Dog beds, cat trees, and food bowls rarely match our interior design vision, yet our pets need these items to be accessible daily. The mismatched pet gear creates visual chaos!

Custom slipcovers for pet beds in fabrics matching your furniture create cohesion. Decorative food bowl stands with storage beneath keep kibble and treats organized yet stylish.

For litter boxes, furniture designed specifically to hide them. End tables, cabinets, or planters with discreet openings maintain both function for pets and aesthetics for humans.