I don't think you are missing anything - seems like an untouched market. Would you consider a cage like cover for the smoke detector? It wouldn't completely cover the detector in order to keep it functioning properly, but would help it blend a little better with your wood paneling.

A Google search provided this product. I have no experience with this, but seems to fit into what you are looking for.

Read this: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2460049/where-can-i-find-a-brown-smoke-detector

Nothing. There are some weird ones from Germany that may or may not be code compliant (or UL Listed) in the United States. Other examples in that old houzz thread are either discontinued (cherry wood First Alert) or dead links or out of stock.

No, I will not be painting over the big letters that say "DO NOT PAINT". I have no interest in voiding our fire insurance or voiding our liability coverage if, god forbid, something happened.

This couldn't be simpler - Black and Brown in addition to white. Covers all bases. Of course, I would prefer an ORB cover made of metal, but just brown plastic would be better than nothing.

Agreed- they’re all unattractive. I realize their main function isn’t to beautify but surely they can do better than what’s out there

Lots of Examples from Google Smoke Detector Covers

OK, just for people searching in the future ... as of September 2020 there is no good solution to this problem.

The closest I got was a black smoke detector for use inside motorhomes/RVs which may or may not be code compliant, etc.

Putting a wire cage over the white plastic detector just draws more attention to the ridiculous outcome. I'm neither painting nor modifying my smoke detector and neither should you.

That's it - no options.

Well, some people use vinyl dye which is supposed to not cause problems with the functioning of the detector because it simply dyes the plastic rather than coating it. I'm not promoting it as I don't have direct experience, but for those to whom this is a major design concern, it might be worth exploring ;-)

You can paint a smoke detector - just remove the cover and paint it so that you don't get any paint or the insides (the "works"). Here is a stand alone (not hardwired or interconnected) model:

https://www.eibmarkt.com/us/products/JUNG-Multi-condition-fire-detector-RWM200SW.html?utm_source=Portalexport&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=Produktaktion&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping_US&userLocale=US&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtZH7BRDzARIsAGjbK2ZhO_7CSyfwcSTTBgMLwx3eK-9N3aowU4MO6Tll46Fh0YIScoFzWw0aAgN6EALw_wcB

Or, if that doesn't grab you how about something from these images:

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS875US875&sxsrf=ALeKk01MXTZDvF6I33v8_GH-thKhifZfPA:1600463805511&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=brown+smoke+detector&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj2uOmk0PPrAhVhkeAKHYpGDX4QjJkEegQIARAB&biw=1119&bih=596

Too late. He said there were "no options!"

Stax-

I know. I just never learn. I'm always trying to solve First World problems... ;-)

Here you go.

I just don't know if they're available or approved for use in the U.S.

And if those aren't snazzy enough, there's ones with Swarovski crystals.

Yes, of course I saw those options and, while intriguing, I would need to get approval from my insurance carrier *in writing* before I install those.

@sktn77a : Yes, of course it is *physically possible* to paint the cover of a detector. It would be very easy, in fact. I'm not going to bet my fire coverage on the insurance company sympathizing with me over the paint I put directly over the do not paint warning.

The warning against painting smoke detectors is primarily for the "great unwashed" out there who would just put the whole thing on a sheet of newspaper and spraypaint the cr_p out of it. You only need to leave the manufacturers ventilation holes/slots open to retain the full working capacity of the device.

I think you are obsessing over the insurance aspect of this.

sktn77a-

Amen...

You can hide it in the HVAC return.

Duct mount smoke detector

These are typically used in commercial applications, but in some certain areas they are required by building codes for residential.

You place them in your HVAC return, preferably after a filter so they don't get caked in dust. To be effective they can't be in a place that collects alot of dust.

You will also need a fire alarm control panel for this to work.