My wireless router is more of an exhibitionist than a shrinking violet. Given the location of my cable hook-ups and a few tricky reception spots, that black flashing box has become an unusually prominent feature of my decor. And let's not even mention the tangle of TV cords, the pride of place of my game systems, and the real estate taken up by my printer. But if you're like me and are tired of seeing tech devices everywhere you look, perhaps these few affordable, effective, and sometimes surprising solutions can help you on your way.
We all need (and love) our tech gear, but let's face it, these utilitarian objects are not always attractive, nor do they always fit our design aesthetics. Here are some ways to turn what is often purely utilitarian into a more organic part of your home.
1. How to restyle your wireless router using an old book
2. How to hide your router in decorative boxes
3. How to stash your printer in a dresser drawer
4. How to hide flat-screen TV cords in decorative trim
5. How to make a media console from odds and ends
MORE TECH DISGUISES ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Stealth Tech Tricks: 5 Ways to Hide Your Wireless Router
• A Few More Ways to Hide Your Flat-Screen TV
• The Best Defense Against Tech Theft: Disguise It!
• Plugbook: Disguise Your Cable Mess in Your Bookshelf
(Images: 1. Anamu via AT, 2. Sweet Sanity Designs, 3. PB&J Stories, 4. Angie in the Thick of It, 5. Kara Paslay Designs via Design*Sponge)
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Nice solution, though cords and electronics don't really bother me. However I hate seeing bottle labels in my peaceful spa (bathroom) so all my shampoos and conditioners are in clear or white bottles. We all have our things I guess.
Nice solution, although my brother burned out a router by covering it with a cloth (he didn't like the flashing lights.) There wasn't enough air circulating around it. I wonder if that could be a problem here.
I just bought a large trunk and drilled a hole in the bottom. Router and all the cables go inside, and the modem sits under so it gets air. No cords!
How is mounting a TV to the wall actually disguising anything?
@ WELCOMEREALITY - do you happen to have a PVR too? I've contemplated your idea with a trunk we have in our basement but it wouldn't be able to 'read' the signal without being directly pointed at it. It's one of the reasons I haven't gotten the PS metal cabinet from IKEA yet. What's your solution to it? I'd love to hear b/c I'd like to do this.
PI, the disguise is the trim that's hiding the cord. Pretty good idea, too. Better than the super obvious paintable cord cover that most people are stuck with.
I created a Snapguide How to: Hiding the Light on Your Airport Extreme. It combines my love of Apple products and bicycles. This solution has kept the light from disturbing us while we sleep. The Airport Extreme hasn't overheated yet either and the single is still very strong. Let me know what everyone thinks.
Right I'm off to my charity (thrift) shop and will be covering my modem asap. Brilliant idea. It's also given me an idea for a concealed bedside jewellery box too. Much better than the clutter of earrings and rings I wake up to each day. The Big Tidy Up begins!
@NIGHT - I have found a solution to hide the DVD player, Playstation 2 and other infrared controled techs in cabinets with plain and opaque doors. I bought for peanuts a IR repeater that is just a tiny receiver cell put outside the cabinets, with a little thin cable that goes inside (by the back) and transmits the signal to the equipments via a transmitter cell. This works with any remote control and is just fantastic so that I can use whatever cabinet style I want... I hope I was understandable, my explanation looking "unmethodical"...
For those of you posting about issues with LED lights bothering you at night, here's another solution. http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/home-entertainment/eeb6/?pfm=rightcolumn_NewStuffFTW_10
Naturally, a frugal person would be able to find alternatives around the home. I had a sheet of small round smiley face stickers, and used them to cover the lights on my external hard drives, etc.
@night - Is that the same thing as a DVR? My cable box is hardwired, and I have holes in the floor in two places in my living room (the house was like that when I moved in). So the modem is attached at one end of the room and the box at the other, and the cords run through the basement. the holes in the floor are hidden behind the tv cabinet and under the trunk with the internet.
Be careful about blocking ventilation on the top/bottom of the modem/router/etc.
Does it get too hot? This is genius and I love it, as long as it isn't going to ruin anything.
Where do you find the book bindings? I see a bunch of old books on ebay, but they are kinda expensive just to take out all the pages.
Welcome to the wonderful world of overheating electronics! This idea is creative but if you fail to take note of the vent holes then you will be dealing with more issues than unsightly wires. If you were to leave enough room between the covers then you will be alright, but I want to warn against covering certain things up like that. It is better to hate looking at it than to pay for a replacement.
Thrift store; just saying.