How to replace or hide panels on living room wall?

forgottendreams77

I've just moved into a new place and discovered some unappealing white panels (previously hidden by furniture) on either side of the fireplace in the living room, one with an aerial cable entering it:



Are these wall access panels? They seem very well attached to the wall, but I can't see an obvious way of opening them. What would be the best way to replace or generally make them less of an eyesore? Thank you.

Alderbank

Are they pieces of plasterboard?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

they look a bit of a diy job, just stuck on as no screws.

They should come of easily with a scraper type tool. but be careful in case electrics behind them,

Then just a plain blanking plate.

Edit: does that black cable go to another room for a telly?

cajef

Judging by the carpet the previous occupant appears to have put some furniture in front of them to hide them 

mi-key

They do look like plasterboard, probably stuck on with no more nails or similar. 

Covering them depends really if the holes behind are standard socket sized or bigger. It may be better to remove the horrible wallpaper, fill the holes flush then repaint

Belenus

Is that a capped gas pipe to the left of the fireplace in the second picture?

It might be worth checking it for leaks in case it was a bodged or DIY job.

Doozergirl

They might be air vents that someone's put that board over to stop a draught.  

Take the plaster off, have a look.  If you don't have a gas fire there then they probably aren't needed - or at least not as much ventilation as they will supply the room with.  

You could potentially fill them in.  Just make sure there's ventilation in the room somewhere - trickle vents on the windows and the chimney itself would be fine.  

The aerial wire could be drilled through where it's most appropriate to put now.  

mi-key

Doozergirl said:

They might be air vents that someone's put that board over to stop a draught.  

Take the plaster off, have a look.  If you don't have a gas fire there then they probably aren't needed - or at least not as much ventilation as they will supply the room with.  

You could potentially fill them in.  Just make sure there's ventilation in the room somewhere - trickle vents on the windows and the chimney itself would be fine.  

The aerial wire could be drilled through where it's most appropriate to put now.  

Does anyone even use aerials anymore? Dont think I have had one connected for over 10 years

forgottendreams77

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

they look a bit of a diy job, just stuck on as no screws.

They should come of easily with a scraper type tool. but be careful in case electrics behind them,

Then just a plain blanking plate.

Edit: does that black cable go to another room for a telly?

Thanks - there is another aerial socket on that side of the room (who doesn't need two TVs in one room?) and a couple of rooms upstairs have loose aerial cables coming out of the wall too.

forgottendreams77

mi-key said:

They do look like plasterboard, probably stuck on with no more nails or similar. 

Covering them depends really if the holes behind are standard socket sized or bigger. It may be better to remove the horrible wallpaper, fill the holes flush then repaint

What do you mean, horrible wallpaper?!

I think you're right, they do look like plasterboard - here's a close up of how they are attached to the wall (and the gorgeous wallpaper):



 What would you suggest for removing them with minimal damage/ doing it neatly?

diystarter7

Hi OP

I'm surprised no one has asked this yet. The wall with these things, is this an outside wall and if so are there air vents there?

Thnaks