You can put a frame around it.

http://www.inspiredwhims.com/2012/03/how-to-hide-thermostat-frame-it.html?m=1

https://www.tiktok.com/discover/frame-around-thermostat

Mix it in ....or ignore it

Why is moving not an option?

We built a custom house and specified many of the details to avoid thermostats in weird places, but one still ended up in a bad spot. I had it moved on the wall after we moved into the house.

AC installers insist the thermostat be front and center like it’s the Mona Lisa. We put ours over light switches. ‘Stack the ugly’ I said. They got so offended.

Much the same way an electrician will light you up as if a table lamp never ever existed......

"Honey, we're not planning a birthing center......it's a LIVING room".

That wall might be the best place for it (is it centrally located and not subject to breezes from the front door opening?), but I'm sure it could be moved 6-8" to the left to make it easier to work around. I do like Jan's idea of treating it as part of a gallery. Very clever.

Absolutely can't move it? It's a rental?

Make yourself a nice big art canvas!! Or buy one at Home Sense ( in a float frame.

Exacto/knife cut a hole in it, exactly and just expose it. Depending the content of art? Nobody notices : )

Or........

or.........: ) it just isn't a big deal.

Almost anything is better.....?

Me? I cut the hole. : ) ! Use duct tape, back side for stability.

Suggest taking this opportunity to address the wall and bookcase to create a more cohesive, balanced, and interesting wall.

Looks like you have a large bookcase in the adjoining room and I’d move (or edit) your books so you have a blank slate. There are lots of ideas on line around how to accessorize. Then consider how to complement the bookcase and really any configuration will take the focus off the thermostat.

One piece of art/lamp is the easiest.

Reframing/increasing family photos, placed on a floating shelf will be more personal/modern and easier than doing a collage.

Jan gave some great examples.

Below is the bar cart area in our living room (kitchen on left and hallway on right like yours) … I got lucky with the thermostat AND a bunch of switches!

We don’t plan to stay here permanently, so I decided to work around it all. Plus, there’s not really a good place to relocate them.

To be perfectly honest, I don’t even notice it anymore, nor do guests — I get lots of compliments on my beloved Joe Grandee print:

ETA: @freedomplace1 … for some reason, I didn’t see your post first … that is such a neat idea! Whimsical. :)

Thank you for the great ideas! Many of you suggested a gallery wall. Are gallery walls still ”in” or are they considered out of fashion?

Gallery walls are always in, imo.

What's "in" is what you like looking at every day.

Gallery walls are one of those things that are timeless when they are done well. I have multiple in my house because I love art and have a lot of large walls. Most importantly, it's your house, so as long as it's functional, go for it.

Hi Jilly. :) Thank you.

I don‘t see your pic now, but I’m sure the area looks beautiful. You have exquisite taste and so much creativity.

Yes, the frame idea can be whimsical and also might help it to blend in even more. And that would work well by itself, or in a gallery of a few art pieces. As another option, on at least one video on the Tick Tock link I posted, they show how to frame it and also create a cover - a ”door” for it. If OP has access to Tick Tock they can view it, or search for similar on YouTube, etc.

But I agree, they could simply hang some art around it with a gallery arrangement, and leave it as is. No one is going to notice it. No one is going to care. If anyone DOES comment on it, there are any number of options: 1) Laugh. 2) Say, “Yes, it drives me nuts, too!“ 3) Give them a blank stare. 4) Show them to the door. ( Etcetera. :)

Life is too short to worry about such things.

Thank you so much, Freedom! 🥰

5) Thank goodness I have A/C!

Perfect, @kcooz07 . 👌🏼 I mean, really... It is going to be 95 degrees here in NYC today!! And that is MINUS the humidity and heat index, etc. So YOU KNOW I was thinking the exact same thing as I was looking at this dilemma. I just didn't put it on my ”list” of response options. I don’t know why I didn't... Maybe because my brain is FRIED!! :)

You’re welcome, Jilly! :)

A light weight open back canvas print that can be placed over the thermostat in a size that looks good over your pretty cabinet.