How can I "un-activate" the active layer in GIMP?

Question

I like to use GIMP with the show layer boundary setting on so that when I'm working with a layer a dashed border appears around it.

However, once I am finished working with the layer - and I'd simply like to view and consider the state of the image - I'd like to dismiss the border by deselecting/deactivating the layer as I find the dashed border distracting.
So far the best solution I have come up with is to select another layer - that is less prominent, but this is not ideal, I'd like it to go away completely.
To be clear, I want to keep show layer boundary on so that in general active layers are bordered, I just want the border to go away by having no layers selected/active.
How can I do this in GIMP 2.8?

Answer 1

Since I can't find any native ability to unselect layers in GIMP, this is the (hacky) workaround, I have come up with, I thought I would post this as an answer in case it might be of use to others.
I created a new layer called focus_holder, 1px in size (minimum GIMP would allow) and positioned it under the background.

Then when I want to remove focus away from my "real" layers so that I don't see the borders (also so that if I do something unintentional, like accidentally hit a key on my keyboard I won't rename a "real" layer) I select focus_holder.

Answer 2

You could select a channel instead of a layer (that is usually a major problem actually). One functionality that creates a new channel, and move the focus to it is Select->Save to channel - it works regardless of an active selection existing or not.

You can assign a shortcut to it (enable Dynamic keyboard shortcuts in preferences->interface, then hover over the Save to channel option on the select menu and press a key for it (I like to use numbers 1-9 as shortcuts)) - then you can at any time hit "1", followed by ctrl + l (to make the Layers dialog visible again if you want) - and the focused drawable will be the channel, which is always the same size as the image.