It’s time to take care of the air return vent in this hallway. I usually paint right over them, but these get so nasty and hard to clean. This ceiling has a lot going on – multiple smoke detectors, attic door, the vent, and ceiling lighting. I finished wallpapering last week and I wanted something that would make the air vent blend in decoratively and seamlessly with the rest of the ceiling. So, I bought this custom air vent cover and I’m obsessed!
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4544.jpeg)
Here’s what I used for this project.
![Ryobi Drill](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/10-1.png)
![Anti Slip Step Ladder](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/4.png)
![Shop Now - Utility Knife](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6-2.png)
![Magnetic Air Vent Cover](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hallway-reveal.png)
![Caulk](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/18-1.png)
![Red Caulking Gun](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/3-9.png)
![4 in. Mini Paint Roller](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2-2.png)
First up, I just removed the old vent! It was held in by 4 screws on the inside.
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4536.jpeg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4535.jpeg)
Then, I cut the caulk line with a utility knife to separate it cleanly from the ceiling. This air vent cover I got is paintable, custom, and magnetic! It is wood on the front and has magnets on the back. Once I screwed in the new frame, the cover snapped right into it! I love how there are no weird grates to clean in between. I can just pop it right off when it’s time to clean it!
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4537.jpeg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4538.jpeg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4539.jpeg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4540.jpeg)
Next, I caulked the gap between the frame and the ceiling. Then, I painted over the vent with the same color as the rest of my ceiling – Anew Grey by Sherwin Williams.
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4541.jpeg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4542.jpeg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4543.jpeg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_4544.jpeg)
This was a small change that made all the difference in this hallway makeover!
– Cass