We have the large electrical panel in our laundry room, and it’s an eyesore. I couldn’t find any how-to instructions on how to hide a circuit breaker box, besides art or a mirror. But I didn’t want to sacrifice useful wall space for something decorative. It sat right in the middle of the wall. The panel was taking up a lot of usable space in a very narrow laundry room.

I looked into different ways to hide it, but most options were either expensive, too bulky, or didn’t really look like they belonged in the space. I wanted something simple, affordable, and clean-looking, but also functional.

Before & After

So I came up with a solution using basic materials and a little creativity, and the total cost came in under $70.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Hide Electrical Panel

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Step 1: Build the Frame

To start, I built a simple rectangular frame to hide circuit breaker box using 1×2 wood boards. This frame serves as the base for attaching the drying rack.

1. Measure the dimensions of the drying rack and the area around your fuse box. The measurements were 23″ wide and 42″ tall
   • 2 boards cut @ 23″
   • 2 cut @ 42″.
2. Cut 4 wood boards to size and  sand the edges.
3. Mark holes on the top and bottom pieces for the pocket holes
4. Drill  pocket holes in two of of the wood boards (each piece should have 4 holes – 2 at each end) *see picture
5. Assemble the frame using pocket hole screws, pocket hole drill bit (it comes with the kreg jig set) and power drill, ensuring the corners are square. I used glue with  miter clamps to keep the frame square, but regular clamps could also work. 
6. Paint the frame to match the drying rack, I had leftover paint from  my closet project which was color matched to white melamine. It was a pretty close match for  this drying rack.

Step 2: Find the Studs and Avoid Electrical Hazards

Before attaching anything to the wall, I used a stud finder to locate the studs behind the fuse box area.

Before drilling, I used this specific stud finder with AC detection so I could locate studs and avoid any wires behind the wall. The Zircon StudSensor A100 is a reliable, budget-friendly choice for this.

1. Mark the studs with a pencil.
2. Double-check the fuse box’s layout and avoid drilling near any wires or conduit.
3. Turn off the power
4. Drill carefully

I recommend consulting with an electrician if you are unsure of the wiring behind your wall.

Step 3: Attach the Frame to the Wall

Once I located the studs, I positioned the frame over the fuse box and secured it to the wall using screws.

• Drill pilot holes in the frame to prevent splitting the wood. Because I did not do that, and I had to repair the frame. Which set me back big time.
• Use screws to anchor the frame into the studs for maximum support. I had to keep in mind the thickness of the beadboard I had added from my utility wall project.

Step 4: Add the Hinges and Drying Rack

To make the drying rack functional, I attached hinges to the sides of the frame. This allowed it to open up like a door when we need to access the circuit breakers.

1. Align the hinges on the side edge of the drying rack and the frame.
2. Secure the hinges with screws.
3. Test the movement to ensure the rack folds smoothly and sits flush when closed.

Step 5: Install the Magnetic Latch

To keep the drying rack closed and snug against the wall, I added a magnetic latch at the top and bottom of the frame.

1. Position the magnet on the top and bottom left of the frame and attach it with screws.
2. Secure the metal plate on the back of the drying rack to align with the magnet. These magnets that I bought from amazon have a sticky mounting template so you can make sure it lines up correctly.
3. Test the latch to ensure it holds the rack in place when not in use.

Easy DIY Fix: How to Hide a Circuit Breaker Box with a Wall-Mounted Drying Rack

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