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6 everyday household eyesores you can hide with clever design buys
The easiest way to make your home look more polished? Hide the things you'd rather not see
There's often an item in every room that catches your eye for all the wrong reasons, perhaps a tangle of cables, a bulky appliance or an overflowing storage basket.
While these everyday essentials are necessary, they can disrupt the overall look and feel of a space, making even the most stylish room appear cluttered and unkempt.
A few clever updates and thoughtful design tricks can make a big difference, helping awkward items blend seamlessly into their surroundings while keeping them easy to access when needed.
From smart storage solutions that hide mess in plain sight to multifunctional furniture that works twice as hard, there are plenty of simple ways to create a cleaner, calmer home. By reducing visual distractions, these small changes can also help highlight a room's best features, allowing architectural details, favourite pieces and carefully chosen decor to be the focus instead.
Here's how to disguise some of the most common household eyesores without compromising on practicality.
A radiator cover is one of the easiest ways to turn a functional feature into part of your decor. It can instantly soften the look of a room while creating extra surface space for books, plants or accessories.
"I’ve not left a single surface in my home in its original glossy white – my skirting boards, window frames and doors were all painted to match the walls, which left my white radiators bright and gleaming in comparison," says Rachel Edwards, Style & Interiors Editor.
"Paintable radiator covers were a brilliant low-cost solution, plus they provide a little shelf for all my decorative trinkets."
A slim shoe cabinet keeps footwear neatly organised while freeing up valuable floor space. It's a simple swap that helps make hallways feel calmer, cleaner and more welcoming.
A dedicated litter cabinet disguises your cat's tray while helping to contain mess and odours. Many designs double as stylish side tables or storage units, making them ideal for living rooms, hallways and utility spaces.
Black and Natural Rattan Screen
"I’ve got a room divider that I move around the house to hide all sorts of clutter, including my son's music gear, including turntables, screens and guitars," says Michele Jameson, Chief Sub-editor, International (Luxury) & Homes.
This under-sink cupboard fits neatly around your basin's pipework, hiding unsightly plumbing while making use of otherwise wasted space. It also provides handy storage for toiletries and cleaning essentials.
A wooden bin store is an easy way to tidy up the front or back garden while keeping wheelie bins neatly tucked away. Many designs also help protect bins from the elements and create a more cohesive outdoor space.
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