Decorating
8 Brilliant Fixes for Less-Than-Lovely Features in Your Home
Stage a cover-up with these cunning ideas
Every home has a few features that aren’t picture perfect, and it’s not always possible to airbrush them out. From renting restrictions to budgetary constraints, most of us have to learn to live with a few imperfections (and not just on the home-front). However, as these creative ideas show, there are plenty of ways to make the best of what you have.
2. Cover a sofa
Most people can’t afford to buy a new sofa whenever the mood strikes. However, if you wish you’d been a bit more daring and opted for something other than beige or grey – or, conversely, are regretting the fuchsia pink that seemed so inviting in the showroom – then a throw can become your new best friend.
Choose something fairly substantial, such as this pompom pick that won’t continually slip off, and tuck in the edges to help keep your throw in place. This will instantly alter the sofa’s look and, with it, the feel of the whole room.
Most people can’t afford to buy a new sofa whenever the mood strikes. However, if you wish you’d been a bit more daring and opted for something other than beige or grey – or, conversely, are regretting the fuchsia pink that seemed so inviting in the showroom – then a throw can become your new best friend.
Choose something fairly substantial, such as this pompom pick that won’t continually slip off, and tuck in the edges to help keep your throw in place. This will instantly alter the sofa’s look and, with it, the feel of the whole room.
3. Disguise with plants
Hiding ugly pipework, wonky tiles and other imperfections with potted plants is another clever trick. Opt for one large plant or lots of smaller ones, trailing or upright – whichever best suits the space and the element you want to conceal.
If you need to perform a little greenery magic in a bathroom without much natural light, consider using fake plants instead. There are lots of realistic artificial plants available that fool the eye with zero effort.
How Do I… Choose Plants for My Bathroom?
Hiding ugly pipework, wonky tiles and other imperfections with potted plants is another clever trick. Opt for one large plant or lots of smaller ones, trailing or upright – whichever best suits the space and the element you want to conceal.
If you need to perform a little greenery magic in a bathroom without much natural light, consider using fake plants instead. There are lots of realistic artificial plants available that fool the eye with zero effort.
How Do I… Choose Plants for My Bathroom?
4. Use multiple rugs
If you’ve inherited a less-than-lovely floor in your home that you want to cover up, one rug is good, but lots layered across a room can be even better.
Search online for secondhand rugs in similar styles such as these vintage, Persian-style floor coverings, or go for modern styles in the same colourway.
A solution like this would be great in a rented home, as you can simply roll up the rugs and take them with you when you move.
If you’ve inherited a less-than-lovely floor in your home that you want to cover up, one rug is good, but lots layered across a room can be even better.
Search online for secondhand rugs in similar styles such as these vintage, Persian-style floor coverings, or go for modern styles in the same colourway.
A solution like this would be great in a rented home, as you can simply roll up the rugs and take them with you when you move.
5. Reboot fitted wardrobes
A bank of boring pine or even plain white wardrobes isn’t going to get anyone’s heart racing, so consider livening up the doors with wallpaper or removable decals. There are lots of online tutorials that offer advice on how to achieve the best results.
Finally, finish off the transformation with some smart new handles.
Wallpaper 101: Pro Tips for Picking It, Putting It Up and More
A bank of boring pine or even plain white wardrobes isn’t going to get anyone’s heart racing, so consider livening up the doors with wallpaper or removable decals. There are lots of online tutorials that offer advice on how to achieve the best results.
Finally, finish off the transformation with some smart new handles.
Wallpaper 101: Pro Tips for Picking It, Putting It Up and More
6. Swish a curtain
For something so useful, washing machines and tumble dryers have a long way to go before they could be considered beautiful.
Enter the humble curtain and rod. Whether the machines are stacked vertically, as pictured here, or side by side, this is a simple solution for keeping the laundry out of sight.
For something so useful, washing machines and tumble dryers have a long way to go before they could be considered beautiful.
Enter the humble curtain and rod. Whether the machines are stacked vertically, as pictured here, or side by side, this is a simple solution for keeping the laundry out of sight.
7. Stick with it
Add some pattern to a plain kitchen with tile stickers – there are loads of great designs on the market these days. You can try them on kitchen units, fridges and cupboard doors, too.
When you’re bored with the design, simply peel them off and stick on something new.
See the rest of this UK cottage, rented by interiors blogger Hayley Stuart and her family
Add some pattern to a plain kitchen with tile stickers – there are loads of great designs on the market these days. You can try them on kitchen units, fridges and cupboard doors, too.
When you’re bored with the design, simply peel them off and stick on something new.
See the rest of this UK cottage, rented by interiors blogger Hayley Stuart and her family
8. Box in heaters
Essential? Yes. Attractive? Not often. Even many Australian homes need heating in winter, but heaters can be pretty run-of the-mill in the looks department.
Boxing them in with a stylish wooden cover, like the pair shown here, has a double benefit. Not only do they look better, the ledges on top provide a handy display surface, too.
Tell us
How have you covered up the less-photogenic features of your home? Share your tricks in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Does your home have too many flaws to disguise? Find an interior designer or decorator near you and outsource the challenge to them instead
Essential? Yes. Attractive? Not often. Even many Australian homes need heating in winter, but heaters can be pretty run-of the-mill in the looks department.
Boxing them in with a stylish wooden cover, like the pair shown here, has a double benefit. Not only do they look better, the ledges on top provide a handy display surface, too.
Tell us
How have you covered up the less-photogenic features of your home? Share your tricks in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Does your home have too many flaws to disguise? Find an interior designer or decorator near you and outsource the challenge to them instead
We’re not all lucky enough to look out on a great view. If your vista is less picturesque and more neighbour’s washing or busy road, try screening it off with sheer blinds or curtains.
The simple white window coverings in this living room still let in plenty of light while disguising the view. Panels like this would also work well to cover up unsightly window frames.
Window Dressing: 10 Cool New Treatments for Fashionable Windows