Not only is our foyer the first “room” you see when you enter the front door, it’s also the space I stare at from my desk. Needless to say, the lack of decoration is getting on my nerves.
Here’s what we have so far. (I removed the heaps of stuff from the floor and dresser for the picture.)
The upside is that it’s a big space—lots of room to work with. But, look closely and you see the problem.
Yep, a vent that’s about 3 inches higher than I need it to be. The easy solution would be to buy a taller piece of furniture. That solution isn’t fitting into the budget, however. I’m using the dresser that used to be our TV console in the last house. It’s nice to have the extra storage right across from my office space.
Here’s another view of the foyer. My office is to the right. My someday wish list includes a new light fixture and a rug.
Okay, so back to the problem of the vent. Accessories to the rescue. Since I’m trying to get back into the mode of using what I have, I started with this huge piece of driftwood but decided it would get in the way of the gallery wall I was hoping to hang on this wall.
I also really wanted some lighting in this spot, so here’s what I came up with so far. A tray and some stacked coffee table books are doing the trick for now. I’m hoping a big collection of frames above will provide further distraction.
So, there’s my start. More on this later. . .
Try leaning a framed piece behind the stack of books. That might work on hiding the vent even further until you start your gallery wall.
Also, painting the vent the same color as the wall might help.
Love your solution to hide the ugly vent!
Buy 4 chunky wooden legs from
Home Depot or Lowes, install under dresser with screw plates,
height issue solved.
Emily, I saw this on pinterest and thought of you. It’s a great way to make vents pretty if you’re not going to cover them. Check it out…
http://pinterest.com/pin/239253798923574436/
Okay, yes, that vent is interesting no doubt. I love what you have done so far. It looks great.
What about leaning a large mirror over the vent? It might help reflect more light into the space and you can still have the tray and books there to add a little interest. I love that console!
I have an idea…do a post on affordable (pretty)register resources! Somebody did way back when and all I remember is that I wanted them so bad but they were a bajillion dollars apiece.
Looks great, really.
You are on the right track. I have the same ugly vent in my foyer but on the stair wall, I stuck a chair in front of it……
ksk, that was my first thought, too! Add some decorative legs to the chest and you’ll be all set.
I have one of those vents too! thank goodness for accessories. Love how big your foyer is!!
I had the same vent issue in my previous home. It can be very frustrating. I love your ideas on concealing the not so attactive. Don’t give up!
I was thinking that just putting something big in front of it would work. =)
I like what Mary suggested about leaning a framed piece behind the stack of books. Perfect.
I had a question. Can I ask where you got your umbrella stand? I have one that “works” but I really like the look of yours.
Lastly, I wanted to tell you that we have a mutual friend. My husband used to be the pastor at Erin Braswell’s church. I miss Belmont. Loved it there.
Blessings and thanks!
in HIM-
I’ve read through a few of the comments and agree that maybe leaning a mirror or a piece or art would take care of the issue without much fuss. Looks great.
Try addings legs underneath but just enough to add the height you need.
Well you’re definitely off to a good start! Can’t wait to see more:)
gotta love having to work around these ugly “features”! Looks great so far – a framed pic or mirror leaning might help hide it a bit… :)
So I get that those things are ugly, but you actually don’t want to block them/cover them up. It’s not a vent, it’s an air return and blocking it decreases the efficiency of your HVAC system in handling air circulation throughout your home. You definitely shouldn’t place a big piece of furniture like the dresser in front of it. The best solution while still allowing it to perform its intended function would be something similar to a decorative radiator cover. Good luck!
So, it is cold air return or a heating/cooling register? Both need some space to work properly…you know it might be worth the $$ to have an HVAC person come in and MOVE it closer to the base board – just saying…..been there and done that.
It’s hard to tell, but is it painted the same color as the walls? I found that helped in my house. Why do they have to be in such horrible places?
I agree with others to put some chunky legs on it, but I also agree that they need space to work right. :/
perhaps leaning a piece of art which would be a ‘part’ of your gallery wall? or blending it with wallpaper or a stencil pattern?
Yep, put some feet on it! I also like the idea of propped up art. Hmmm, I like this. We’re all chiming in. Maybe you should start a feature like “ease my eyesore” or “help my home” or something along those lines? :)
What color is the vent? Is it painted out the same color as the wall? I feel ya sister…I have them everywhere. Who ever thot that would be good placement? Oi!
You can’t even notice it with the plant and the lamp! Once you add frames or a mirror you won’t recognize it!
I am with Mary, lean a large framed piece of art on that spot!
I have light switch and an alarm control box in my way. Hoping to hang a deep canvas over top. The light switch is for the Christmas light outlet outside – so only used for a bit. Who designs an entry with all this “stuff”?
I like what you have done so far…can’t wait to see more.
Looks so cute! Maybe a large leaning frame behind the tray would cover up the vent too?
I like your tray with the flower and books. It is something that I would like to have anyway, even if there wasn’t a problem vent!
If you don’t want to hid the vents with decoration,raise the buffet with ready made legs at Lowes or raise it with plywood and add crown molding like centsationalgirl did with her billys bookshelf. http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/11/from-billys-to-built-ins/
I wouldn’t block the vent with object but raising the legs is a fabulous idea.
Looks so great but I would caution you against covering the air intake (not vent) box. It is critical to have good air flow for your hvac system to work properly. The intake placement is definitely unfortunate… what about a bench rather than the large chest?
Love your work! :)
The walls are lovely, and I really like the furniture piece. I had the same thought as others, lean some artwork on the furniture (or a few pieces). The idea about adding legs to the piece to raise the height is interesting too!
Nice…you could also lean a piece of artwork in front of the vent too.
I like what you’ve done so far – the books and orchid are gorgeous. You can’t go wrong with an orchid, in my opinion. Another option could be to add feet to the bottom to raise it up.
I love that GORGEOUS piece of drift wood. Wow! Can’t wait to see where you put that!
I agree with the large tall mirror over the vent. You’ll want to check yourself in the mirror before leaving the house…right?
Great disguise!
The second I saw the vent I thought “books”! It’s coming along :)
michelleleeinteriors.blogspot.com
Builders really piss me off when they do things like that…..But you will show them! And of course that idea to add legs…brilliant!
I think that’s a great start. I really love the designs on the doors of the console. Beautiful!
heyhomeslice.blogspot.com
Emily,
I’m glad Jen spoke up first! That looks like your air return (where you change your filters), not just a vent. You should never cover them with anything solid like a piece of furniture or a photo. Anything covering them must allow the intake of air to get through them. If not your entire air conditioning system could malfunction.
We’re building and when they slapped our return air on a main wall after our final plans were done, I made them move it right away! I don’t know why they always do stuff like that!
Want to add bun feet to the dresser? That would lift it enough to cover the vent and might look good to get it off the ground. What a great big space….screams BIG mirror too!
It is amazing how much of a difference a few found at home accessories can make. Maybe you can temporarily hang some of your children’s art around. It may not be magazine worthy but it will make you smile until you finish decorating.
Haley @thedistractedblogger
I think you did a fab. Job!!
i actually like the entry light fixture, but maybe it could use a fresh coat of paint or something to liven it up.
I haven’t read your comments so someone may have already suggested this. Put legs on your piece of furniture to raise it up.
I have similar issues with my living room console- the cable cord wall feed is right in the middle of the wall- I cover it with leaning artwork- maybe you could put a leaning framed piece behind the pretty vingnette you set up?
Unfortunately I read your most recent post before reading this one, so I’m posting this knowing this idea won’t work with your current gallery frames, but: I wouldn’t hide the air intake, I’d make it part of a gallery wall.
I’d paint the edges of the air intake black, and the intake itself another color, possibly white, depending on the other art hung around it.
I’d then hang black framed pieces randomly on the wall, but in harmony with the air intake. The intake would then look like a piece of three dimensional art hanging in harmony with a bunch of other art.
Now I want to find a similarly placed intake or vent in my own house and see if this idea could actually be pulled off.
Anyway – I like your dresser and gallery wall and might otherwise consider moving the vent to accommodate!
They are such a pain, aren’t they? There are some paintable wood louvered ones out there, I use them on jobs all the time. I”ve done a post on them before. They look much better, but they’re still visible.
During these times when your mind will going to work. I can see that you have this great talent. To bring it out you’ll just have to unmask that beast inside….
Michelle of Insulation Sales