Clever DIYers Are Turning Boring Thermostats Into Stylish Decor

TL;DR

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A Hunker report describes DIYers disguising wall thermostats with picture frames, open-weave baskets and small boxes. The ideas can make a thermostat less prominent, but coverings should leave the controls accessible and avoid restricting airflow, which can affect temperature readings.

DIYers are dressing up wall thermostats with picture frames and other decorative surrounds, according to a Hunker report on home projects shared on social media. The ideas aim to make a necessary but often prominent device blend into a room without preventing people from seeing or adjusting it.

The simplest approach in the report is to place a frame around the thermostat, choosing one that suits the unit’s shape and the room’s decor. Hunker says the frame’s glass should be removed, leaving the thermostat visible and reachable. Some DIYers use adhesive fasteners to attach the surround to the wall, avoiding the need to drill, although the right method depends on the wall, frame and thermostat.

The report describes other variations, including an open-weave basket with a hole cut into its back to accommodate the device. It also cites TikToker Morgan Geyer, who uses a small trinket box as a hinged-style casing and places accessories on top. Hunker cautions that a cover or box can reduce airflow around a thermostat and affect how accurately it reads the room’s temperature.

The projects are presented as customizable rather than as a single product or standardized installation. A round thermostat may suit a round frame, while a rectangular unit calls for a different shape. The report also notes that frames can be incorporated into a gallery wall, placing the thermostat among other wall decor while keeping its controls accessible.

Decor Without Hiding the Controls

The ideas address a small but familiar decorating problem: a thermostat needs to be easy to reach, yet its appearance may not suit a carefully arranged wall. A removable frame or surround can soften the device’s visual prominence without replacing it or changing the heating system.

There is a practical trade-off. Thermostats rely on conditions around the unit to measure room temperature, so a decorative cover that blocks airflow could affect its reading, as Hunker warns. Keeping the sensor area open and the controls usable matters more than making the device disappear completely. The report does not provide testing showing how much any particular covering changes performance.

Frames, Baskets and Box Covers

Thermostats are functional fixtures, and their design varies by model: some are round, others rectangular, and their casings differ. Hunker says this variety is one reason the approach is adaptable: a homeowner can choose a surround sized and styled for the specific unit rather than use a universal cover.

The report’s examples come from social-media DIY projects and product suggestions, not a formal design or safety study. It mentions a round rattan frame listed on Amazon for $32 as one possible option for a compatible round thermostat. That price and product reference are examples in the source, not a guarantee of fit or current availability. The report discloses that Hunker may receive a commission from purchases made through its links.

“The frame turns the thermostat into a piece of art while still keeping it accessible, functional, and visible.”

— Hunker

Fit and Temperature Accuracy

The report does not establish how widely the projects are being used or whether they have been tested across different thermostat models. It also gives no measurements of how much a frame, basket or box might alter temperature readings. Effects could depend on the device, the material, the distance from the thermostat and how much air can circulate.

Specific installation details are also not universal. The source describes adhesive fasteners as an option but does not assess their suitability for every wall surface or frame. Homeowners need to check that a surround does not obstruct the display, buttons, sensors or access needed to operate the unit.

Check the Surround Before Installing

Anyone trying the idea will need to match the surround to the thermostat and confirm that the device remains visible, reachable and unobstructed. A frame without glass is the more open option described in the report; any basket or box should leave room for airflow around the unit. After installation, homeowners can watch for unusual temperature readings or heating behavior and remove the cover if performance appears affected.

Hunker’s report does not announce a product launch, formal project standard or follow-up test. The next step for readers is practical: check the thermostat maker’s guidance before covering the unit and treat the social-media examples as design inspiration rather than proof that every enclosure will work equally well.

Key Questions

How do DIYers make a thermostat blend into a room?

Hunker describes picture frames fitted around thermostats, as well as open-weave baskets and small boxes used as decorative surrounds.

Does the frame need glass?

The report says to remove the glass before fitting a frame so the thermostat remains visible and accessible.

Can covering a thermostat affect its reading?

It can. Hunker cautions that a cover may reduce airflow around the unit and affect the accuracy of its temperature reading.

Do these projects require drilling?

Not necessarily. Hunker says some frames can be attached with double-sided adhesive fasteners, though suitability depends on the wall and the materials involved.

Source: rss