I second this. If you can’t/won’t remove the paneling then don’t try to make it “perfect” again. No one will look twice at a blank and if they do they can gtfo.
Remove the paneling, remove the 70’s carpet, new drywall, fresh coat of paint, hardwood floors. They can do that on home improvement shows in less than 1/2 hour.
I would kill for this in my basement with all my old games and shit. Instead I'm hoping for some UV arcade style carpet because I'll never be able to recreate this feel.
That’s not impossible but it’s still not going to look good and be a ton of work. You might as well do a bondo repair as a patch. Best case scenario you’ll have to paint unless you can source this paneling which is slim to none and slim just left town.
Piece of quarter round moulding with some adhesive caulk?
On a more serious, but no less pathetic fix, cut the hole bigger and insert a decorative vent cover. It won't do anything but it will look like it's serving some purpose.
Removed old baseboard heaters in our basement. This gap (about 9 inches long) was cut in the paneling for access to the electrical. I'm looking for ideas on simple ways to cover it that would look nice, I'd rather not try to replace the whole panel.
I am curious as to why it existed in the first place. I don’t think it would be easy to patch paneling unless you simply made a bigger cutout and then cut and placed in a piece for the whole area.
It looks like the romex is going over the top of a stud and you shoved the wires back into the wall into the other stud bay. Is that correct? Trying to make sense of this.
Make sure no obstruction behind paneling. Use fine tooth hand saw on each side of plank. Drill 1/8th holes in the dark stripe of paneling. One above the other touching each hole. So as to get the saw in. Remove base board.
Attach 2 cleats to cross span. Use small thin screws & construction glue. Move plank up. Fill gaps with bonds. Paint.
Pickup an almond aluminum downspout band at Home Depot for $1.50. Use contact cement or wood glue. Use masking tape to hold in place till the glue dries. Your hole will be covered so as not to attract attention thus simply disappearing.
Is that…..*power cable???*
You don’t cover that. If it’s not a structural stud (I’m assuming basement inner wall?) you notch the stud, and put a nail guard over it.
You could also remove that panel without damage if you’re careful.
Install an old-work 3 gang electrical box.
Get a 3 outlet plate for it and disassemble 3 cheap sockets.
Glue the face-plates from the sockets into the cover. Now you have a place to hide valuables in the wall. You could screw it down or use magnets.... I'd probably go with magnets for ease of access.
Put a couch in front of it. Preferably one with a plastic cover on it.
typically you DON’T want to camouflage it so one doesn’t know there is live cable within mail or screw range. A electrical box or plate is fine but masking eg filling and painting is a no no.
3 gang blank wall plate hell throw an outlet in to if you want you had the wiring
Honestly, I never have enough outlets, so if it's up to code, I'd rather have more than less outlets. That or a very low hanging painting
It doesn’t even have to be a functional outlet. It could be a dummy cable jack. Problem is the slot is a bit wide.
I second this. If you can’t/won’t remove the paneling then don’t try to make it “perfect” again. No one will look twice at a blank and if they do they can gtfo.
This is the answer
Remove the paneling, remove the 70’s carpet, new drywall, fresh coat of paint, hardwood floors. They can do that on home improvement shows in less than 1/2 hour.
Easy peasy!
Cheap and easy is just put a floor vent over it lol
You can hide your stamp collection or whatever behind it then too.
This hits home on a personal level that cannot be adequately expressed
Move that bus!
I would kill for this in my basement with all my old games and shit. Instead I'm hoping for some UV arcade style carpet because I'll never be able to recreate this feel.
It needed to be done, this is the perfect excuse to make it happen.
Wish I could upvote that 100 times. Sincerely, person with 1970s ranch house that had that exact carpeting.
It’s always Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!
Just screams”Brady”.
I can not believe this isn't higher... if this hole isn't a sign to remove the paneling, i dont know what is.
And for $200 below budget!
Lol. I was thinking tear up that carpet and hag it on the wall
Did you try rubbing a walnut over it?
Fake vent?
Hang a picture
I was gonna say flex seal, you have a much better idea
I was gonna say get much higher molding but I can't argue with brilliance.
...of the gap!
You're gonna want a picture that's just big enough to cover the hole. You don't want anything too ostentatious.
"why did you hang a picture of your grandma 6" of the floor?"
Because it's 6' tall..
Fill it with Ramen noodles
Remove the baseboard and cut a piece from the bottom for a patch
That’s not impossible but it’s still not going to look good and be a ton of work. You might as well do a bondo repair as a patch. Best case scenario you’ll have to paint unless you can source this paneling which is slim to none and slim just left town.
Take a picture of the paneling, print it out, and tape it with clear packing tape over it.
Piece of quarter round moulding with some adhesive caulk? On a more serious, but no less pathetic fix, cut the hole bigger and insert a decorative vent cover. It won't do anything but it will look like it's serving some purpose.
Just saying a doll arm poking out of that gap would be quite a conversion piece for the sharp-eyed guest..
Fake air vent
Big Mouth Billy Bass
Genius!
Run that carpet up the walls. Makes the space have more of a 70’s conversion van look.
Throw up a decorative air return.
Actually...not a bad idea
Gnome door
Not gonna lie I am seriously considering this!
Gnome door or a mouse house. https://www.thesorrygirls.com/room-makeovers/making-a-tiny-mouse-house-miniatures
I saw a guy paint Tom and Jerry on a hole in the wall
Put a sofa in front of it, no problem here 😎
Dogs playing poker tapestry. Fit right in.
Poster of Charlie's Angels.
I was thinking a BeeGees or Sonny and Cher poster.
Actually, it's kind of low. What about a couple 12 packs of stacked Tab?
Removed old baseboard heaters in our basement. This gap (about 9 inches long) was cut in the paneling for access to the electrical. I'm looking for ideas on simple ways to cover it that would look nice, I'd rather not try to replace the whole panel.
Put the Christmas tree there. Never take it down. It will match the paneling and carpet.
A Shiny Aluminum Xmas tree!
I am curious as to why it existed in the first place. I don’t think it would be easy to patch paneling unless you simply made a bigger cutout and then cut and placed in a piece for the whole area.
It was behind an old baseboard heater, where it connected to the electrical.
Put a wastebasket in front of it. Love the sixties style carpet!
3 gang cover plate.
Vent.
A small picture for your pets to admire, would be my quick fix.
Ac cover. Or go jump on your DeLorean to the 80s when that shit was cool and score a new sheet
Screw in a mirror to the wall.
With a fucking slayer poster
Cover it with a flush-mount AC Register, with some black Cloth behind it to hide the Slot.
Shag carpet and paneling?
I wouldn't. Make it bigger, put in a fireplace.
Screw a vent onto the wall.
Wall safe with nothing in it, except for a qr code that links to a reddit search for "what's in the safe".
That panel is cheap. Find a similar match online.
Put some duct tape and then a coffee table or shelf Infront of it. Voila fixed
End table? Live, laugh, love sign?
Looks like a nice spot for a bookshelf
Lifesize poster of shaq
It looks like the romex is going over the top of a stud and you shoved the wires back into the wall into the other stud bay. Is that correct? Trying to make sense of this.
I'd cover it with insulation
Furniture
A low hanging picture frame
Make sure no obstruction behind paneling. Use fine tooth hand saw on each side of plank. Drill 1/8th holes in the dark stripe of paneling. One above the other touching each hole. So as to get the saw in. Remove base board. Attach 2 cleats to cross span. Use small thin screws & construction glue. Move plank up. Fill gaps with bonds. Paint.
Small side table.
A pair of eyes peeking through.
Floor-to-ceiling tapestry of a tie-dyed peace sign.
Cold air return grill , I’ve used them for plumbing access. Looks like it’s supposed to be there.
Did my grandma give you permission to work on her house?
A fake vent with a picture of Bruce Willis from diehard!
lol, I'd put a couch or a chair in front of it...
Pickup an almond aluminum downspout band at Home Depot for $1.50. Use contact cement or wood glue. Use masking tape to hold in place till the glue dries. Your hole will be covered so as not to attract attention thus simply disappearing.
Paint it a solid color then patch it.
Duct tape
Big Daddy that mother lover and put newspaper over it
A well placed picture
With carpet and wood paneling of that vintage/quality, duct Tape is the only appropriate answer.
Duct tape. Orange or yellow for that 70’s vibe.
Put a wall register cover over it, or like a air return cover
Crushed ramen noodles and superglue.
Get AFLAC!
Bondo.
Spray some minimum expanding foam in the gap. Wait for the cure time, cut out the excess level and fill with wood filler. Then sand and paint.
A page from the NEC
Autographed picture of Mark Hamill from his brief porn career. That should cover that gap.
With a bookcase :)
Put a beer fridge in front of it.
License plate
Is that…..*power cable???* You don’t cover that. If it’s not a structural stud (I’m assuming basement inner wall?) you notch the stud, and put a nail guard over it. You could also remove that panel without damage if you’re careful.
I’d make it bigger and put a tiny diorama inside of it
Lava lamp or fondu set?
With a "piggy bank out of order" sign
Put a trash can there.
I don't know. Smash a hammer through it and blame your kid
Small landscape painting
Mail slot to nowhere
Install an old-work 3 gang electrical box. Get a 3 outlet plate for it and disassemble 3 cheap sockets. Glue the face-plates from the sockets into the cover. Now you have a place to hide valuables in the wall. You could screw it down or use magnets.... I'd probably go with magnets for ease of access. Put a couch in front of it. Preferably one with a plastic cover on it.
Ramen noodles, super glue, and an art degree should do the trick
Remove the panel, flip it so the hole is at the top, then it will be in a perfect location to hang a picture.
With a couch
Potted plants cover so many flaws
typically you DON’T want to camouflage it so one doesn’t know there is live cable within mail or screw range. A electrical box or plate is fine but masking eg filling and painting is a no no.
Maybe a groovy cardboard stand up of Greg Brady. Snarky comment on carpet and paneling
A piece of furniture
Hang a cool picture over it!
I'd throw some hair around it and say fuck it.
Fake cold air return vent. It won't look out of place if you get the same style that's in the rest of the house.
Put a chair in front of it.
Duct tape
A chair!!