7 Brilliant Fixes for Less-than-lovely Features in Your Home
Stage a cover-up for the mundane and tired with these cunning ideas
Every home has 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 imperfection (and not just on the home front…). However, as these creative ideas show, there are lots of ways to make the best of what you’ve got.
2. Cover a sofa
Most of us can’t afford to buy a new sofa whenever the mood takes us. 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 is your friend.
Choose something fairly substantial, like this pompom pick, that won’t keep slipping off, and tuck in the edges to help keep it in place. This will instantly alter the sofa’s look and, with it, the feel of the whole room.
Most of us can’t afford to buy a new sofa whenever the mood takes us. 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 is your friend.
Choose something fairly substantial, like this pompom pick, that won’t keep slipping off, and tuck in the edges to help keep it in place. This will instantly alter the sofa’s look and, with it, the feel of the whole room.
3. Disguise with plants
Hide ugly pipework, wonky tiles and other imperfections with potted plants. Go for one big 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 fakes instead. There are lots of realistic artificial plants available that fool the eye with zero effort.
Hide ugly pipework, wonky tiles and other imperfections with potted plants. Go for one big 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 fakes instead. There are lots of realistic artificial plants available that fool the eye with zero effort.
4. Lay 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 are even better.
Search online for secondhand ones in similar styles, like these vintage, Persian-style ones, 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 them up 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 are even better.
Search online for secondhand ones in similar styles, like these vintage, Persian-style ones, 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 them up 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 liven up the doors with wallpaper or sticky-back plastic. There are lots of online tutorials giving advice on how to achieve the best results.
Finish off the transformation with some smart new handles.
Browse drawer and cabinet hardware
A bank of boring pine or even plain white wardrobes isn’t going to get anyone’s heart racing, so liven up the doors with wallpaper or sticky-back plastic. There are lots of online tutorials giving advice on how to achieve the best results.
Finish off the transformation with some smart new handles.
Browse drawer and cabinet hardware
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 pole. Whether the machines are stacked, as 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 pole. Whether the machines are stacked, as 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 of the design, simply peel them off and stick up something new.
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 of the design, simply peel them off and stick up something new.
TELL US
How have you covered up the less photogenic bits of your home? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
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World of Design: 10 Inspiring Ways to Personalise a Rented Home
How have you covered up the less photogenic bits of your home? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
MORE
World of Design: 10 Inspiring Ways to Personalise a Rented Home
We’re not all lucky enough to look out on a great view. If your vista is more neighbour’s washing or busy road, screen it off with sheer blinds or curtains.
The simple white sheers in this living room still let in plenty of light while disguising the view. Panels like this would also work well to cover up ugly window frames.