Simple Inexpensive DIY Air Return Cover

The best solution for reducing airborne particles and allergens in your home + how to make a pretty air vent cover.

There are two huge lessons I’ve learned about living in a house that’s older than I am:

1. The most random things will break from wear and tear when you least expect it (and often on holidays).

2. Dust and funky old smells operate at a whole different level.

We might as well start naming our dust bunnies and calling them our pets.

This one air return vent in particular has been the ultimate dust collector, and yesterday, I’d finally had enough. We ripped that sucker off the wall and decided to make a pretty vent cover in its place. (And re-do the command center and replace the air filter while we were at it too because if you give a mouse a cookie… you know the drill.)

The good news is that what is behind that vent cover can be prettied up just as easily.

Making the air return cover was so inexpensive and the perfect project for a beginner DIYer…

DIY Air Return Cover

Supplies

• 1×2 board(s)
• Miter saw
• Primer and paint of your choice
• Finishing nails
• Nailer or hammer
• Wood filler
• Medium grit sandpaper
• Decorative metal sheet
• Manual staple gun and staples
• Metal snips
• Command strips

Steps

1. Measure your existing air return cover to base the measurements for your new cover’s frame.

2. Mark the measurements on your 1×2 board and cut at 45 degree angles on the miter saw.

3. Join together the ends of the boards with finishing nails for the corners.

4. Fill the cracks at the corners with wood filler and let dry. Then sand smooth.

5. Prime and paint the wood frame.

6. Using the vent frame as a guide, mark on the decorative metal sheet where to cut with wire snips.

7. Attach the metal sheet to the back of the frame with staples.

8. And attach your new air return cover to the wall with Command velcro strips so you can still access your filter later as needed.

So much better!

Command Center Wall Decorating Tips

As for this command center wall, what do you think?! Better than before?

You can see more family Command Center decorating ideas here. Our family’s entire life revolves around this spot in the house to help us organize to-do lists, schedules, mail, everything.

Do you remember when it looked like this 3 years ago?

Our kitchen still needs a lot of love until a big reno can happen, but this one spot is already improving our lives so much.

If you want more ideas for ways to “pretty up” the eyesores in your home, you can see a big list here.

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