Homes are filled with nooks and crannies, angled walls and oversized spaces.
While we are constantly assessing the best way to style a wall so it all looks balanced, there are a few awkward spaces that consistently pose challenges. Here they are, along with how we approach them:
1: Fuse boxes
These things are So. Damn. Annoying. Beyond being an eyesore, they are also almost always in a cramped space, off center, and/or higher than a normal artwork should hang, which makes covering them with art a problem. Why? Because then the art will look cramped, off-center, and/or abnormally high. For this reason, we really only recommend covering a fuse box with art if the fuse box itself is in a location where art would otherwise look natural… meaning, there is ample space around the box, it is centered on the wall (or, because of the spacing around it, art can be centered and still successfully cover it), and it is hung with the center at approximately 60” from the floor.
Our best tips for hiding fuse box covers are:
1. If you are building a house, speak to the contractor about fuse box locations EARLY in the process to determine discrete locations. While you’re at it, discuss discreet locations of all things that sit in walls - thermostats, AV equipment, light switches, and more.
2. If you’re not building a house and working with what you’ve got, paint the fuse boxes the exact same color as your wall OR wallpaper the entire wall including the box. We’ve weighed a ton of options, and yes, Etsy does sell “decorative fuze box covers” but really, if the box is cramped, off-center or oddly high, you’ll just bring more attention to it.
Here are a few examples of dynamic wallpaper that can mask an unsightly fuse box while making a cohesive statement in your space.
2: Niches
Awkward Little Niche
Some homes have awkward niches. This doesn’t seem particular to any architectural style or era, and I often wonder about the thinking behind creating something so specific and almost permanent. My best guess is that said niches are incorporated into the plans because the person building the home has a particular vase or sculpture that warrants this type of accommodation. When new owners move in, the niche is usually moot. That said, clients come to us wanting to find the perfect object to fit that space. Our tips? 1. Unless you have something that works SO well for that specific size and location, just fill in the niche. It will probably cost you ~600 and 2 days of contractor work, which is much less money and fuss needed to source an alternative object. Plus, walls tend to look cleaner without small niches to break them up, in my professional opinion. And 2. Make the niche MUCH bigger so it becomes more of a built-in with flexible storage and display options. See the photo below with a firewood niche that is just gorgeous.
3: Over the bed when the headboard is kind-of high.
Art for the master bedroom is a top request we receive, right up there with “over the living room couch” or “on top of the mantel”. Many people want their bedroom to be their personal sanctuary, and I am one of them. It is SO nice to go to sleep and wake up in a place that feels separate and more restful than the rest of your home. All that said, art over the bed may not achieve the balance you desire, especially when your headboard is medium to high. Sometimes these headboards are the only accent this wall needs, and putting art above it will make the art look too high and/or too cramped OR art in that location will make that entire wall look too busy. Instead, assess the other walls in the room and identify 1 or 2 other locations where artwork may look suitable. This way, the art will fill in the rest of the room and balance out the taller headboard, making the space feel balanced, complete, and personalized.
Two examples of over-crowding:
SO. MUCH. BETTER! Choose an alternate wall with some breathing room.
What awkward spaces do YOU have in your home? We’d love to see what you’ve done, help you solve the issue, and get your space feeling balanced.
