apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

A strange suggestion is to incorporate the access panel to the decor of the condo. In the past, I have used magnets (if the panel door is metal/steel) and somewhat played it up as a "picture frame"/bulletin board.

cheers,

from a recent "Divine Design" put a vertical waterfall in front of it. Or run a panel of some fiber/fabric floor to ceiling.

Can you wallpaper it with some beautiful paper? If it were me I'd paint it - probably with chalkboard paint because I am currently obsessed. Or bright orange my color obsession of the moment.

Another possibility is to use a screen to hide it but I don't know if you have the floor space to sacrifice.


Have fun moving!

Of course paint it, make a painted band on the wall, from top to bottom in a more dark colour to integrate it to the wall and hide it.
I am pretty sure that if there's a painted strip on the wall, no one will ever see it

Folding screen or very tall potted plant. Or if you can splurge, one of those huge floor mirrors.

You could hang two symmetric pieces of patterned fabric from ceiling to floor, one of them covering the panel. Or just one piece, larger.

I have a panel like that in my bedroom. My solution was to put a low bookshelf in front of it to cover half the panel (maintenance needs to access the panel every six months, but I know when they're scheduled to come so I just move the bookshelf out of the way) and use the exposed portion as a magnet bulletin board, like lalitaponce.

It kind of depends on what kind of furniture you were going to put over by that wall, I guess.

1. Get a favourite photograph (black & white could be good here) blown up into a massive poster size (big enough to completely cover the door) and stick it to the door almost like wall paper. It will give the effect of a giant photo in a frame.

2. Depending on how the panel works (door or total removal) you could look into getting some shelves fitted to the front of door and then artfully display some small objet d'art to distract the eye. They wouldn't need to be "straight across" shelves - a couple of those box type/cube shelves arranged in a pattern could do it.

Lean one of those big rectangular floor mirrors in front of it. IKEA and CB2 both have relatively inexpensive ones.

Expedit shelving on wheels is another option I've commonly seen.

I like Pantzini's idea of two fabric panels... hung like banners.

It would be a great way to add interest and a pop of color.

I hate when modern contractors leave homeowners with this type of sheite! Good luck and congratulations on your place.

Have 2 or 3 more (faux) panels made to look just like it. Run them along the wall like a decorative (and purposeful) wall treatment. It will add visual interest.

I would lean a large mirror against it or put a large piece of art- or framed fabric on it. Make sure it's light enough to be able to move it to gain access.
I hate those things. I had one in the last apartment I lived in- thank goodness it was behind a door I always kept open. Why don't designers and contractors think about things like this when they make or remodel these buildings? NO ONE wants to look at a control panel door.

If you used one of these no one would even notice the panel. Not really a cheap option thought. And maybe too permanent. Very cool non the less

http://plastolux.com/modern-art-and-design-as-wallpaper.html

Yeah, what splatgirl said. I have a really big IKEA floor mirror (Mongstad-$99) with a thick black frame over my utility panels. Rather then using the included mounting hardware, I went to the hardware store and got eye-hooks (the kind with spring clasps over the tops of the hooks). I screwed the hooks into the back of the mirror and the eyelets into the wall. The mirror leans against the wall and then I hook it in so it doesn't move or fall. Then when I need access, I just unhook and move the mirror out of the way. It looks great and is completely functional.

Have you ever thought about creating a mesh "canvas" to cover the vent. Buy a discount blank canvas (or just the frame) remove the canvas and stretch flexible black door screen (you can buy a roll of the stuff really cheap at home/hardware stores) over it to create a new "canvas". It will allow the air to pass through and look more like a deliberate work of art (though it works better if your aesthetic is in keeping with modern art, than Victorian.) If that still feels to plain, if you're careful not to block too many of the holes in the screen thereby obstructing the air flow, you can add stripes of paint or embroidery floss, or metal filament to the screen so it's not just a black rectangle (this also works well if you create a "canvas" larger than the vent because you can embellish the areas where the "canvas" doesn't actually sit over the vent more liberally.)

I'd use the door as a backdrop to something. Paint, or wallpaper it and use it to set off a pedastal with art or anything else. Another idea would be to paint it and then paint one or two more stripes in the same shape as the door to create multiples which can make a backdrop so something, perhaps a moveable sideboard or seating, that can be readily moved when you need to access the electrical panel.

I was thinking huge leaning mirror, then I went to bookshelf on wheels as I read other comments.... If you had a nice tall slim bar unit it could go there on wheels.....I wouldnt do a plant as it would bug me personally to see the door behind it....but thats just me!

I have the same situation in my house. A large panel that is access to the chimney. What I am thinking about doing is either hanging fabric to cover the whole wall, almost like a curtain or putting fabric or wallpaper on a large canvas and hanging it like an art piece.

For you wall you could easily do two or three canvases the same size. and put them up on the wall.

Another idea would be to paint the wall two different colors with a pattern.

Turn the whole thing into a series of rectangle outlines that match the panel-box outline. Paint similar rectangle shapes all along that wall in various heights and sizes as if it's wallpaper or a pre-planned intentional pattern. The top vent would still be visible of course, but it would all look really modern, and the panel-box would disappear into the pattern.

love to see the results

a quick option is to use a folding screen

from the looks of it it is the intake for your air conditioning/heating system...so DO NOT PLACE anything in front of it that would limit or block air from circulating back into it unless you want your system running at an optimal level...

This is obviously going to be your media wall - so you'll need to have storage for TV, stereo, etc.

I'd start with a BluDot Modu-licious HiFi console
http://www.bludot.com/Browse_Products/Storage/product/Modu-licious_HiFi
and purchase a pair of extra drawers - leaving the center spaces open for the cable box & DVD, etc.

When assembling the unit, I'd get some casters that are slightly taller than the plinth base and attach them to the bottom. I'd also go to the home store and find a 4x8 sheet of plywood and cover it with an interesting fabric like a headboard - I'd attach vertical legs to it extending up the back, spacing the legs the width of the holes in the back panels - then attach the panel to the back of the console using the existing holes in the back panels behind the 4 drawers at the far ends so that the fabric covered panel rests on the back of the console and the legs float off the floor - probably put some rubber bumpers on the back of these posts so that if it hits the wall, it won't damage it.

You could then use the back panel to mount small display shelves over the TV - but just set the TV on the console, don't hang the TV on it. You'll also want to drill a hole in the lower back panel for cord management. The entire media unit will be able to roll away when you need to clean or access the wall panel.

Someone may have already said this - but I recommended a tall, wide mirror with a great frame. Just lean the mirror over it and then you can put a chair or couch in front of it. You could also put some kind of entertainment center in front of it (with wheels?), and a plant on top to disguise the top cover, and it would not block it. Plus the plant could help filter!

I would imagine that placing anything in front of it to hide it would be a bad idea. You'll still be able to see it and it will just look like you were trying to hide it. I do like Rob in PDX's idea. I would play up the shape and incorporate it into your apartment by mimicking the shape in some of the art you choose to place on the wall. Another, simpler, thing to do is paint it the same color as your wall and forget about it. Once the rest of your stuff is placed in your space I imagine you will barely notice it.

Of course its hideous but new construction condos usually are. under no circumstances should you put up a waterfall as a previous poster suggested. it would be pure hideosity. I would suggest switching out the door to a custom made wood door that can be as simple or intricate as you'd like. It can become part of your decor. I think the idea of a substantial tasteful mirror with a great wooden frame is also a good idea.

This person had a clever way of hiding an electrical panel. IKEA also makes sliding curtains in case you didn't want a chalk board/bulletin board.

http://www.myhomeideas.com/myhome/decorating/da/result/0,29702,1719431,00.html?c=6&o=homeOnt:Rooms_homeOnt:KitchenClass

Find out how much it would cost to move the panel into the closet and the vent to the top of the wall?

Ceiling track along the wall, flat panel(s) of fabric - and a port hole for the vent.

Wallpaper the wall and put a sliding panel in front of the door, with port hole above (I'm using port hole loosely - it would be rectangular).

Or perhaps just hang whoever designed this mess in front of the door - by their thumbs?

1) Move it. If it's new construction check your contract. Maybe you can reject the layout and demand that the access panel and vent be moved. If not, see what your builder will quote you (maybe you can negotiate down to pure costs since it wasn't what you expected or were shown during the sales process). Also, regardless of who moves it (builder or another contractor), check your HVAC warranty to make sure you don't void it.

2) Turn it into a big frame for a favorite photo that you get enlarged. (A large floor mirror may block the vent.)

3) Put a large, tall, fern-like plant in front of the access panel with a console table off to the side (sloping into the room).

Good luck.