I made this wooden valance to hide cords in my camper. Maybe you don’t have a camper, but I bet you have someplace that you are dealing with a mess of cords. With all the electronics we have these days it’s becoming a real challenge to make all those cords stay neat and tidy.
Cord Clutter under T.V. in the Camper
Look at all that cord mess under the t.v. right inside the door of my camper. Between the cords and the three outlets in the panel below the t.v. I was beside myself with what to do with it all. I used some twist ties to try to corral all the mess. It wasn’t working. The mess includes the power cord for the t.v. the audio cords for the dvd player, the cable cord and the ROKU cord. As I said, this right inside the door and I knew I had to get control of the mess!
While camping, I noticed a cute little vinyl covered valance over the kitchen sink window. That got me thinking that some sort of box to hide all the cord mess would be perfect.
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Construct Small Wooden Valance
I bought ½ “ thick stock at Home Depot and cut the boards to size. I used Gorilla Wood Glue and my nail gun to connect all the boards. Not shown, I also cut a bottom and attached it with glue and nail. Also not shown, I painted it black with regular ole Behr latex wall paint. I’m not sure if I forgot to take pictures or if I accidentally deleted them.
Hang Wooden Valance to hide Cord Clutter
I used Command Strips for picture hanging to hang the wooden valance box. I attached the hook and loop pieces to the wall and the wooden box. I toyed with the idea of using keyhole hangers but I will be hanging and removing this cord cover on a regular basis.
Originally, I thought I might stain the box. However, as I was testing the fit under the t.v. I decided to paint it black to match the t.v. But, I felt like it needed a little something to decorate it.
Chalk Couture Happy Camper Transfer
This Happy Camper Transfer from Chalk Couture was the perfect option for my cord valance. The transfer is huge and has several pieces. I chose the smaller camper and the words Happy Camper to chalk onto my new cord organizer.
Apply Chalk Paste
I applied white chalk paste with the angled squeegee, scraping off the excess paste.
Peel away Happy Camper transfer
As soon as I finished applying the chalk paste, I peeled the transfer away and placed it in a pan of water. Then I was ready to apply the chalk paste to the camper transfer. Keeping it real, I did this on a facebook live and it didn’t turn out. I was nearing the end of my chalk paste and it was a little dry. But here’s the thing, it’s just chalk paste. It easily wiped away allowing me to give it another try. I added a little water to the jar of white paste and it went on perfectly.
The white paste on black paint is my favorite look for the Chalk Couture transfer projects.
New wooden valance hides power cords and more
Ohhh, isn’t it so much better? I really am so happy with how this small wooden box covers up all the cords and outlets. I’ll be making me a happy camper t-shirt with this transfer very soon. For the t-shirt I’ll be using Couture Ink that will make the transfer permanent. I didn’t seal this chalk paste, so if I wanted too, I could wipe it off.
I recently spent 3 nights 4 days at Patoka Lake Indiana. It was so much fun. I truly wish I could get some fall weather camping in. It was in the low 90’s on this last trip.
I’m really enjoying the camper and all the little diy projects that make my life so much easier “on the road”. You can see more projects I’ve done for the camper here.
Does this project spur an idea where you could use a small wooden box such as this to disguise or cover up something that annoys you? I sure hope it does! Maybe this project will give you an idea to help hide cord clutter.
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking
Thatās a great idea and makes everything look so much neater, especially in a small space like a camper. I made something similar to cover my ugly laundry room washer and dryer connections years ago and it made such a difference.
Gail Wilson
Of course you made something! You're so clever. š It's the little things that make me happy.
I hope all is well with you guys. It's time for Glendale and I am a mess!
gail
Brenda M.
I have so many problems with stencils coming out clean. At first , I used the hard plastic type , but they were a real nightmare. So switching up to vinyl that's cut on a CriCut turned out a bit better. Yet , I have had some issues with bleeding . What do you use ? Vinyl ? What steps need to be done to prevent bleeding ? Once you have applied the paint , does it need to dry completely before removing the stencil ?
If you haven't written about this , please do a step-by-step instruction on stenciling ? Nothing worse than spending hours on a project , then the stenciling gets blotched up.
Gail Wilson
Brenda,
I've had my own issues with stencils. I've done videos and lots of tutorials on stenciling. When I use stencils, I use contact paper in my Silhouette. This product is not a stencil, it's a screen print available in my online store. They turn out so much better than stencils!
You can see some of my tutorials on stenciling here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/tag/stenciling/
You can see videos on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOqvgP56oqhtblk603H-R9a5u4bnk32JZ
Good luck, let me know if I can help further.
gail
Jen
Oh, the possibilities. You have my brain turning now thinking of the many ways I could use this.
Gail Wilson
yay! I know not everyone has the SAME problem as me, but I was hoping this would get the gears turning for those who have similar issues.
Have a super weekend!
gail