There’s this one outlet in my kitchen — not even kidding — it’s just sitting there like it’s judging me. Right above the countertop, nowhere near symmetrical, like someone just stabbed a square hole in the drywall after two beers and said, “yeah, that’ll do.” And then they wired it. Crooked.
So anyway, yeah, ugly sockets. And wires. And the occasional mystery cable that might be powering your neighbor’s toaster. Or nothing at all. But it’s there, curling down like a dried spaghetti noodle. Gross.
You wanna hide it. Or at least make peace with it. But also, not spend two weekends and a small fortune doing it. So here we are.
Try Not to Fight the Socket. Befriend It. Maybe Give It a Hat?
Okay, real talk — painting the socket the exact color of the wall only kind of helps. You’ll still know it’s there. It knows you know. It’s passive aggressive like that. But… sometimes you can distract from it. I’ve seen people put a small framed photo slightly off center, then stack another frame beside it. Boom. Gallery wall. Except one of the “photos” is actually your router cable trying to look like it belongs.
If you’ve recently redecorated or repainted your home, your standard white switches and sockets might suddenly stick out like a sore thumb – especially if there are no white tones in your interior design scheme. It can be tempting to paint these outdated fittings to blend in, but painting your switches and sockets is not recommended.
https://www.dowsingandreynolds.com/inspiration/can-you-paint-plug-sockets-and-light-switches/
I once saw a guy frame a 3-plug outlet like art. Literally a frame. Just a frame, no picture. He called it “Modern Exhaustion.” I laughed. Then I copied it.
Box It In… But Not Like a Serial Killer
You could build a box. Like a real one. Wood. Screws. Probably a drill. Or glue and denial. I’ve done both. If the outlet isn’t being used 24/7 — say, it’s where you used to charge your 2006 iPod but now just haunts you — slap a mini cabinet over it. One of those fake book covers maybe. Or a tiny hinged shadow box. Make it cute. Or absurd. Or label it something mysterious like “Emergency Bacon Button” so guests will either ask questions or stop coming over.
Cables are trickier. They’re like cats. If you try to force them into something neat, they squirm. But… if you gently suggest a cozy tube or a cord organizer disguised as a vine — they might play along.
Command Hooks Are the Sad Tape of Adulthood
Remember when you used to tape things directly onto walls? Posters. Christmas lights. That phase passed. Now it’s command hooks. Same chaos, just marketed with a smile and removable adhesive.
But hey, they work. I once ran an entire extension cord through a series of hidden hooks behind a bookshelf. It looked awful if you stared directly at it for more than 3 seconds, but from a side glance? Magic. I tell people it’s “intentional industrial chic.” They nod like they believe me. Maybe they do. Who knows anymore.
One of the main reasons people wish to paint their plug socket covers, either as part of a larger DIY or as an isolated job, is because they tend to stand out unless the wall they are on is of a neutral color. This means the unpainted plug socket covers will draw attention away from the rest of your room’s design, highlighting them as the one part of the room you did not give maintenance to.
https://www.homesandgardens.com/soved/how-to-safely-paint-plug-socket-covers
When All Else Fails: Plants and Lies
Cables hide wonderfully behind plants. Especially droopy ones. Pothos, for instance, is just a leafy curtain waiting to be deployed. Just shove the pot close to the socket, drape some leaves around the sins, and voilà. Nature’s apology letter for bad architecture.
One time I told my aunt that the coiled wire above my TV was an “aesthetic decision.” She nodded. Then muttered something about millennials and left. She still texts me screenshots of cable management tips.
Wall Art That Works Way Too Hard
Here’s a weird idea that worked once: Use a vertical wall hanging — like macrame or that weird fabric art your cousin makes on Etsy — and align it to “accidentally” cover the socket. Bonus points if it sways a little, adds movement, makes it seem like the socket is hiding because it’s shy, not because it’s ugly.
Pro tip: Avoid mirrors in this scenario unless you enjoy reflections of your crimes.
Unprimed plastic finishes will not allow paint to adhere well, and often results in the paint beading and separating on the surface, particularly on shiny surfaces. This will lead to a patchy finish that will likely look worse than by leaving the white switch in place. Not only does this yield an undesirable effect, but paint may chip and flake away at the lightest touch. Paint does not bind well shiny or glossy surfaces, and it is highly likely the paint may not dry at all.
https://www.elesi.com/blog/can-you-paint-your-sockets-and-switches/
Get Unreasonably Creative, Just to Spite the Builder
Let’s be honest. Whoever placed that socket six inches above your headboard? They didn’t love you. That was an act of emotional terrorism. So do something unhinged in return. I once wrapped a cord in twine and glued on tiny fake mushrooms. Called it a “woodland power vine.” My roommate hated it. But guess what? No one looked at the outlet.
Also tried painting a wire to look like a slithering snake. Scared my niece. Made my cat respect me. Worth it.
Final Thought That Might Be Useless But I’m Saying It Anyway
If you’re gonna decorate around wires and sockets, don’t try to erase them. That’s a fool’s errand. They’ll win. They’re stubborn. Like trying to make your hair part a new way after 10 years — it’s just gonna look confused and sad.
Instead… lean in. Make them weird. Or funny. Or just slightly less soul-crushing. Use fabric, plants, boxes, frames, stickers, rope, tape, magnets, wood, lies, whatever you got. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s distraction. Maybe even charm. Definitely chaos with intent.
So yeah. Ugly sockets suck. But with enough craft supplies and resentment, you can almost love them. Or at least… forget about them for a bit. Which, honestly, might be the same thing.
Last modified: July 24, 2025
