Awkward” Doors Aren’t the Problem—How to Make Weird Layouts Work for You
We’ve all walked into a room that felt… out of place.
You might’ve blamed the furniture. Or the lighting. Or told yourself, “If I just hang something above the bed, it’ll feel better.”
But often?
It’s not the stuff that’s the issue.
It’s the structure you inherited.
The door that doesn’t lead anywhere.
The window in a weird spot.
The architectural choice someone else made — long before you moved in.
And this is where most people freeze.
Because it feels like you either have to:
A) spend thousands to rip it out
or
B) live with it and try to “hide” it.
But what if there’s a third option?
Not hiding. Not demolishing. Reframing.
(That’s where real design begins.)
The Door That Didn’t Belong — And What We Did About It
In one of my recent Airbnb projects, the client called it “the door that kills the vibe.”
It was leftover from an old renovation. Useless. Visually jarring. Every time she walked into the room, her shoulders tensed up.
She’d pinned ideas for covering it, replacing it, removing it. But none of them addressed what she was really feeling:
That this door made her space feel sterile.
That’s the deeper design problem no one talks about.
It’s not just about “fixing the flaw.”
It’s about reframing how you want to feel in the room — as it is — and deciding how it can support your life now.
Before you pick a hack, ask yourself:
Does this door interrupt how you want to feel in the space?
Could it serve a new purpose, even if it’s just aesthetic?
Or does it need to quietly disappear because it’s tied to a version of this room (or life) that no longer fits?
This is where most blogs would tell you what to do.
But design that lasts?
It doesn’t start with tactics.
It starts with the decision to see the space differently.
Image | Unsplash
Step 1: Reframe Before You React — Hide It or Highlight It?
Here’s where most people jump straight into “What can I cover this with?”
But before you buy a curtain rod or wallpaper sample, pause.
Not every door needs to disappear. And not every door deserves to become a statement either.
So instead of reacting, start with intention:
Ask yourself:
✔ Does this door interrupt how I want to feel in the space? (If yes — it’s time to hide it.)
✔ Could this door serve a new purpose or become a focal point? (If yes — highlight it.)
✔ Would removing or camouflaging it improve how the room functions, not just how it looks? (If yes — keep going.)
Once you know the role this door should play, the solution usually reveals itself.
Step 2: If It Needs to Disappear — Do It Intentionally
If the decision is clear (this door just needs to go), your goal isn’t to cover it.
Your goal is to integrate it so seamlessly that it stops being a design problem and starts being… forgettable.
(And sometimes? Forgettable is exactly what a door should be.)
Here’s how.
If It Needs to Disappear — Here’s How to Make It Seamless
You don’t need demolition. Here are the simplest, most intentional ways to make an awkward door fade into the background without sacrificing style or function.
The Bookcase Solution (aka: “What door?”)
A floor-to-ceiling bookcase can do more than add storage — it erases the problem entirely.
✔ Choose a unit that fits snugly into the doorframe or have one custom-built for that seamless, “it’s always been here” feel.
✔ Want a little fun? Add hinges and turn it into a hidden door. (Because who doesn’t love a secret passage?)
Image | Keyaira Terry
The Curtain Disguise (Done Right)
If you’re renting or want flexibility, curtains are your best friend. But this isn’t the time for a cheap rod and leftover fabric. If you want it to feel intentional:
(Pro tip: Let the curtain reach the floor for that soft, effortless flow.)
Wooden Curtain Rod:
Use textured, weighty fabrics like linen or cotton for an elevated look.
Image | AbbeyByDesignCo
Ceiling Track System
Choose a rod that complements your space — wood for warmth, black metal for modern edge.
Image | Pinterest
Ceiling-Mounted Rod:
Mount it high or use a ceiling track to create the illusion of height and movement.
The Wallpaper Camouflage
For the ultimate “Was there ever a door here?” effect, wallpaper is your move.
✔ Go neutral for a subtle, blended look.
✔ Or choose a statement print that reframes the whole wall — turning a flaw into a focal point.
✔ Pro Tip: Removable wallpaper = commitment-free creativity.
Image | markdsikes
If It Deserves to Stand Out — Make It Earn Its Place
Some doors shouldn’t hide. They should own the room.
Here’s how:
Option 1: A Statement Tapestry or Textile
✔ Drape a woven textile or bold fabric over the door.
✔ Choose something with texture and depth, so it reads as art — not as a cover-up.
Bold
Image | Homeedit
…and Beautiful
Image | Pinterest
Drape Your Space
Image | Pinterest
Option 2: The Functional Door
✔ Mount a full-length mirror to add light and depth.
✔ Lean framed artwork for a relaxed, curated feel.
✔ Or use it as a styling backdrop for meaningful décor.
Option 3: Paint It Like You Mean It
✔ If you’re keeping the door, give it purpose.
✔ A bold, unexpected color can turn it into a design moment.
✔ Deep green, soft terracotta, matte black — whatever makes the space feel more “you.”
The Airbnb Fix: What We Actually Did
ardisenostudio | Earthy Casita
In that Airbnb project? We skipped the demolition.
✔ We installed a ceiling-mounted rod (damage-free and renter-friendly).
✔ Found linen drapes at a second-hand shop for $10.
Just like that, the door became background noise — and the rest of the room finally got to shine.
ardisenostudio | Earthy Casita
Let’s Get That Door to Work for You (Not Against You)
That awkward door? It was never just about the door.
It’s about the moment you stopped feeling like the room belonged to you.
That’s the real shift this process creates. Not just covering flaws or following clever Pinterest hacks. But learning to see your space differently. It’s how to make the whole room finally make sense.
And the more you practice that?
The easier every design decision gets.
So the question isn’t how to hide the door.
It’s how to make the room stop feeling like someone else’s mistake and start working for you.
So… What’s the Next Move for Your Space?
If you’ve got a door—or any design quirk—that’s driving you up the wall, here’s the good news:
You don’t have to settle. And you don’t have to rip the whole room apart, either.
Sometimes you just need a clear next step.
→ For a full-home transformation: Mindful Home Creator
→ For a fast design gut-check: Design Mood Consultation
(Because living with design that frustrates you costs more than fixing it. Every time.)
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