How To Hide An Electrical Panel

One of the most important components that controls your home’s electrical system is the main panel. Also known as the circuit breaker or fuse box, this mechanism can also be an eyesore depending on where it is installed.

Our electricians have developed a short guide that will help you decide the best possible way to hide your fuse box.

Why Someone Wants To Cover Up An Electrical Panel

Most homeowners might think that covering up a fuse box could be dangerous or illegal. It’s fine to cover your fuse box as long as you or an electrician can still reach it later. Here are some of the most common reasons why someone wants to cover up their fuse box:

• Aesthetics
  • The gray panel doors of your electrical box might not match the interior design of your home. Covering up this box is an option that can resolve this issue.
• Lack Of Space
  • You might want to keep your fuse box accessible, but spacing and furniture placement becomes challenging. It’s perfectly fine to cover up your electrical panel as long as it can be accessed when needed.
• Repainting or Wallpapering
  • Contrary to popular belief, you can paint or place wallpaper over your electrical panel. These materials should strictly exist on the outside of the panel door. Putting paint or wallpaper inside the panel door can be a fire hazard.

Ideas For Covering Up Your Electrical Panel

• Curtains
  • One elegant way to cover up your electrical panel is to install a curtain rod with curtains over it. Not only will this make your panel accessible but add a beautiful aesthetic to your space.
• Artwork or Mirrors
  • Setting a wall mirror or hanging a painting over your electrical panel is a great way to cover it up.
• Easy-To-Move Furniture
  •  As beautiful as that 400lb wardrobe might look in your space, you shouldn’t place it in front of your electrical panel. Tall objects placed in front of your electrical panel should be easy to move when you need to access it.
• Paint
  • Painting the metal doors of your electrical panel is a great way to prevent it from being an eyesore. Only paint the outside of the panel. Ensure that the paint does not cause the door to become stuck once it has dried.
• Wallpaper
  • You can safely put wallpaper on your electrical panel, even though it may seem risky. The wallpaper should be placed so you can open and access the electrical panel. Again, you should refrain from putting wallpaper inside the panel since it could be a fire hazard.
• Install Cabinet Doors or Large Panel Doors
  • To hide your panel, you can make a small cabinet or add larger panel doors to cover it up. You can access the electrical panel by opening the cabinet or larger doors.

Things To Keep In Mind

Before you cover up your breaker box doors with a simple or creative solution, there are a few important details to know:

• Location
  • Electrical panels can be installed almost anywhere across your home. Most are located in the basement or lowest level of a home. Others are placed in laundry rooms, near kitchens, in living rooms, near HVAC equipment, and inside of closets. No matter where your electrical panel is, remember its location for easy access.
• Navigating To The Panel During A Power Outage
  • You should be familiar with the layout of your home and where the most important objects are located. Knowing where your electrical panel is hidden or located in your home is vital during a power outage.
• Heat & Insulation Risks Inside The Panel Cover
  • Electrical panel doors are usually metal to stop fuses from getting too hot or catching nearby objects on fire.
  • Nothing should ever overlap or be placed inside the breaker panel door. Breaking the seal with overlapping wallpaper can increase the risk of an electrical fire.
• Difficulty Accessing The Panel
  • Similar to finding your panel during a power outage, you might run into a situation where timing is everything. One of your kitchen appliances might malfunction or a lightning storm causes a circuit to overload.

Love the way your whole home looks while keeping it safe. As you decide the best course of action to cover up your panel, keep in mind that you need to be able to access it quickly and efficiently in case of an emergency.

Electrical Panel Upgrades With Anthony

If you have an outdated electrical panel, then get in touch with our electricians. Anthony Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric provides quick electrical assessments and service panel upgrades, so you don’t have to worry as much about your old fuse box.

Our team is more than happy to offer our opinion on how you can cover up your electrical panel in the classiest and safest ways possible. Schedule your electrical panel upgrade by calling (913) 298-0444.