While you should never expect your house to look like the subject of a design magazine spread (the best homes look and feel lived in), it’s okay to wish you didn’t have to stare at an ugly trash can every time you walk into your kitchen. Good news: These tips will help you make the most of every corner of your home and trick your friends into believing you’re some sort of design magician. Blogger Me and Mr. Jones creatively placed books and knickknacks in the space between the mounted TV and console to cover up those unsightly tangles — it also works great over a fireplace or mantle. Decorate with items that are both attractive and meaningful, like these derby-themed books, and you’ll forget those pesky cords even exist. This picture hack is especially great if you have an older thermostat model that is in need of an update. Simply find a cheap photo or painting you love, add hinges, and presto: easy beauty. Check out the full instructions on Bliss Bloom Blog. This idea also lends itself to wall AC units and unsightly mounted TVs. Enter this ingenious charging drawer, which takes organization to a new level. Stock up on extra chargers and drill small holes in the back of a kitchen or desk drawer, and you’ll never have to wonder where your iPad is again. Pair this idea with fun desk decor and you’ll be more productive than ever in your at-home workspace. This chic trash cabinet lets you place the can wherever it makes sense — which is great if you want to replicate the idea in a kids’ craft room or on a deck. Blogger Dawn Nicole offers an easy-to-follow guide to building a pull-out cabinet you can do in a weekend. If you’re really handy, you can buy a larger cheap cabinet or console and change the hinges to create an entire recycling and trash station. This fun hack won’t help you battle trash odors, but it may help you forget they exist for a few hours.
