A method that can provide for efficient usage of screen real estate by controlling the display of graphical user interface objects. The method includes the step of identifying a selected part (405) or parts of a first GUI object (400) associated with an application program. Creating a second GUI object (410) that includes a visual representation of the selected parts (405) of the first object. The second GUI object is displayed on the display screen (200) so as to automatically replace the first GUI object. Detected user interactions with the second GUI object (410) are mapped to instructions to the first application program. This step of replacing the first GUI object may involve assigning the first object to coordinate space that is outside a display area of the display screen or graphics buffer. User interactions may then be mapped to a location within the first GUI objects assigned coordinate space that is outside the display area of the display screen.