The Easiest Way to Make That Oddly Placed Outlet Disappear

When you’re working with a New York City apartment, there’s often a lot to navigate in not a lot of space: Can I fit a queen bed in here? What space-saving hacks actually work? Or, how can I elevate things without going overboard? 

Whether it’s a prewar gem or a brand-new build, NYC apartments tend to come with quirks — some manageable, some deeply confusing. Mine? A truly unfortunate wall plug, smack in the center (not the bottom!) of my living room wall. 

Right now, it’s fully exposed: two bulky outlets plus a screw-in cable port that’s big, protruding, and frankly, an eyesore. For almost two years, it has lived above my couch, and my roommate and I just hung up a round mirror nearby and called it a day. 

This year, however, I’m committed to upgrading my space. I’m making an effort to add polish and personality while keeping it cozy. I work from home and write for some of the top lifestyle platforms, so shouldn’t my apartment reflect that? To help me tackle the plug problem, I tapped two industry experts for ideas, ranging from more professional DIYs to lower-lift styling tricks. 

Brad Thornton, founder and lead designer of Thornton Projects, first suggested hiring an electrician to convert the outlet into a junction box and hardwire a light fixture. “You could add a sconce and ideally mirror it on the other side of the couch,” he says. “I love the drama you get with In Common With’s Vera Sconce. Or maybe the Up Down Sconce in Mulberry.” 

Obviously, this will usually only be an option if you own the place. For luxe lighting with a similar vibe but at a slightly lower price point, try the Tulip Sconce from Huey instead. 

Thornton also offered a lower-lift alternative. Keep the same concept, but layer in a floating shelf with a sculptural shape just below the outlet. Then, just add a little table lamp in front of it to mask the plug. “The Wooj Farolito Lamp is a great nod to Ingo Maurer’s Lampampe table lamp at a fraction of the price,” Thornton says. Keep the style intentional and minimal: think 2-3 objects max, like a small sculpture or framed art.

If drilling or mounting isn’t in the cards for you, Ellie Richard, a designer at Studio Mellone, recommended a solution rooted in Japanese design: decorative screens. The designer says, “Folding screens & room dividers can be purchased from so many different furniture sellers, or you can find some great antique ones on Etsy.”

“They stand on their own, so all you have to do is leave a few inches behind your sofa,” Richard adds, “and it will be stable enough. This is a great solution to hide any imperfections on a wall, a weirdly misplaced window, or extra privacy when needed.” Wayfair and West Elm offer great, affordable options, too. 

Not enough space behind your couch for a screen? Drapery might do the trick. “All you need here is a few yards of fabric, and a decorative nail to hang them with,” Richard says. “A yard of fabric is about 55″ wide, give or take. You should double that amount based on the space, so that it’s not one tight flat sheet on the wall; you want loose, gathered fabric here.” 

If the wall has texture (like my awkward outlet), go for something thicker: Quilted or beaded tapestries work best. Richard recommends searching Etsy, eBay, or Chairish for standout fabric options. Standard IKEA curtains installed with a ceiling track would also do the trick! 

I haven’t gotten the chance to try any of these tips yet myself, though I’m leaning toward Thornton’s shelf tip. That little lamp is just too cute! No matter which option suits your lifestyle and space best, these expert tips prove that even the most frustrating flaws can be made into style wins with just a bit of imagination.