How I Turned My Ugly Thermostat Into a Kid Art Gallery Wall (With Bonus Hidden Storage)
Every home has at least one wall interrupted by an ugly thermostat, alarm panel, or other device that cannot simply be removed. Instead of leaving that wall empty or trying to ignore the thermostat, you can turn the entire area into an art display that also provides hidden storage. Hinged shadow box picture frames make it possible to cover a thermostat or alarm with art while keeping it easy to access. Deeper frames can also hold sunscreen and toiletries you want nearby but do not need sitting on the bathroom counter all year. The best part is that shadow boxes sized for 8.5-by-11-inch paper are perfect for displaying children’s artwork. You can create a permanent gallery of favorite paintings or rotate new artwork throughout the year. From the front, they look like a simple, elegant gallery wall of framed art. Open one up and it's hiding exactly what you want hidden, or holding exactly what you want stored.
What You'll Need
Hinged shadow box picture frames, at least 2.5 inches deep to cover a thermostat and provide extra storage
Choose an 8.5-by-11-inch frame to fit standard-sized children’s artwork, or select a larger frame for bigger pieces so you do not have to cut down their artwork.
Magnetic Tape, to keep the frame door closed and flush
Scotch Tapeto tape artwork to inside of frame
Your kids' artwork, printed photos, or watercolor paintings sized to fit
No drilling, no studs, no level required. This is a full no tools project.
You can find all of the supplies for this project using the links above and on my Amazon storefront.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only share products that I would recommend to friends and family, are necessary for the activities I create, and are the lowest price I can find to use myself!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Decide on Your Layout
Hold each frame up where you want it and eyeball the spacing before you commit to sticking anything down. If you're covering a thermostat, that frame's placement is non-negotiable, center it directly over the fixture. Stack additional frames above and or below to build out a full gallery wall.
2. Prep the Thermostat Frame
For the frame going over your thermostat, remove the back panel from that one shadow box so the thermostat stays fully accessible once the frame is mounted. You're hiding it visually, not sealing it up. If using extra frames to make a grouping and added shelf space you do not need to move the backing of those frames.
3. Stick the Frames to the Wall
Run strips of 3M mounting tape around the entire back edge on all four sides of each frame, then press firmly onto the wall in your chosen spot. That's it, no anchors, no screws, no wall damage when you eventually want to move it.
4. Add Magnetic Closures
Stick a long piece of magnetic tape to the entire inside edge of each frame door and a matching piece to the frame body so the frame swings open like a little door but snaps shut and stays flush when you're not using it.
5. Use the Space for Storage
The shadow box itself is deep enough to hold extra sunscreen, travel size toiletries, or seasonal bathroom items you don't want cluttering your counter. No extra shelf needed, just set the bottles right inside.
6. Tape In the Kid Art
Use Scotch tape to attach your child's latest masterpiece to the inside of the frame. Standard 8.5" x 11" printer or watercolor paper fits perfectly. Because it's just tape, swapping in new art takes seconds, no reframing required.
7. Repeat Down the Wall
Add as many additional frames as you like above, below, or beside the functional one. From a few feet away, no one can tell which frame is just art and which one is doing double duty.
Why This Works So Well
It's fully reversible, no drilling, no wall damage, no permanent alterations to the thermostat or fixture itselfIt scales, one frame or ten, it's the same techniqueKid art gets displayed and rotated, so you're not stuck framing one piece foreverYou reclaim counter space in bathrooms by moving overflow toiletries into the wall itselfIt genuinely looks like a curated gallery wall, not a hack, which is the whole pointIt's a true no tools project, tape and magnets do all the work
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