Even if you have meticulously curated your home’s style through the perfect décor, furniture, and paint, there may still be some little details that make the space feel a bit wrong. Especially in homes with rustic or cottagecore aesthetics that emphasize natural materials and simplicity, wall fixtures like thermostats can be jarring. Even the best smart thermostats for your household, according to reviews, may not have the look you want. If you feel like your home design is disrupted by a useful but unsightly thermostat, then covering the wall fixture is a potential solution worth considering. While your first thought may be to hang some wall art or move furniture in front of it, there is a simple décor hack that keeps the thermostat out of sight and relatively easy to access; plus, it can be done on a budget. For this hack, all you need to do is hang a basket over the thermostat. 

One simple option is to place a basket over the thermostat so that it’s hidden inside and the basket is on display. For more customization, though, you can find a tall, slim basket and hang it upright on the wall over the thermostat. This shape will give you the ability to add flowers, greenery, or anything you choose to the basket for a more exciting result. All you need to do is measure the thermostat and cut out a hole of the same size from the basket. With an accurate cut, you can pop the basket in place on the thermostat to hang it without any nails or other supplies.

If you are worried about trying this hack and finding yourself wondering why your thermostat stopped working, then you are not alone. It is generally not a great idea to cover a thermostat because a cover can impact the thermostat’s ability to get an accurate reading of your home’s temperature, making your home less efficient and your energy bills higher. However, there are some ways to decorate around it safely, such as adding a frame around the thermostat. While a basket will cover more of the thermostat and potentially obstruct the airflow more than a frame, a basket with enough perforation or openings in the weave may be able to disguise your thermostat without smothering it and changing the temperature around it too much. If you do worry that the readings are incorrect, simply take the basket down.

If you are desperate to hide your thermostat and want to give it a try, you can find a wide variety of extremely affordable basket options at thrift stores, including options with the type of open weave that will help safely disguise your thermostat. Once you have your basket up on the wall, you may want to add additional décor to help it blend in even more. If you love the basket look and need ideas for similar surrounding décor, create a beautiful basket wall on a budget with this genius IKEA placemat hack.