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Posted: 30th September 2024 | Author: Jamie Brown | Category: Bathroom
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Your bathroom’s waste and water pipes are essential for its smooth running - but that doesn’t make them aesthetically pleasing. Whether there’s a full bathroom remodel in the works or you’re just focussing on this one aspect of the room, there are a number of ways you can hide away your soil pipes so sleekly that your guests won’t even know they’re there.
The best thing? The simple techniques detailed below can be done as a DIY task or carried out by a professional - whichever you prefer. Keep reading to learn more.
Box it in with plywood
Although concealing a soil pipe might sound like a long and laborious process, it can actually be a quick and easy job. This first method, which involves creating a box-like structure out of plywood to cover your soil pipe, is effective and inexpensive - great news if you’re looking to upgrade your bathroom on a budget.
To do this you’ll need enough plywood to make an L-shaped structure around your soil pipe, as well as some silicone sealant to fix it in place. Once the basic structure has been installed, you can then decorate it to your liking - whether that means painting the plywood once the sealant has dried, or tiling directly onto the boxing. The world is your oyster.
Top tip! The added benefit to this method of hiding your soil pipe is that you’ll end up with a low shelf in your bathroom that can be ideal for displaying ornaments, storing toiletries or even holding a beautiful, steam-friendly houseplant.
Got a lot of pesky pipes in your bathroom? It may be more appropriate to create a false wall to hide them away. You can do this by erecting a stud partition in front of the pipework - or enlisting a tradesperson to get the job done for you.
Invest in some bathroom furniture - or try a DIY version
If adding boxing doesn’t seem feasible for your bathroom, or perhaps you’re a renter looking to improve the aesthetic without making permanent changes, then consider bringing a standalone item or two into the room to conceal those unsightly pipes. Vanity units and bathroom cabinets can be a great, cost-efficient option to block the view of your soil pipes while also providing additional storage space for your essentials.
The great thing about this technique is that there is such a wide variety of bathroom furniture available that you’ll have plenty of options to choose from to match the rest of your décor. Got an awkwardly shaped bathroom? Don’t worry. Either you or a bathroom professional can create a bespoke unit that fits perfectly in terms of size and style. In fact, this could be the better option even for more standard bathrooms - when you opt for a bespoke cabinet design, you can choose every detail, from materials to practical features.
If this idea sounds good to you but you’re after a solution with a smaller price tag attached, then consider switching out the bathroom unit for less expensive items such as laundry hampers and storage baskets.
Another option is to conceal your pipes by… well, not concealing them at all. If your budget is tight, you might find it easier to simply accept the exposed nature of your bathroom pipework. If the pipes are going to be out for all to see, why not decorate them to fit in with the rest of the room?
If this is your route of choice, then you have two options: to paint your pipes in the same colour as the wall behind them in an attempt to make the eye slip right past them, or to choose a different colour to turn them into a feature and focal point. Multi-purpose bathroom paints are a good idea for this, as they’re designed to be used in moisture-rich environments, meaning they’re likely to be more moisture-resistant than standard wall paints. You might also find a primer helps the paint to adhere to uPVC pipe surfaces.
Alternatively - or additionally - you can decorate your soil pipes by adding items to them. For example, someone with a seaside theme in their bathroom might use rope wrapping and seashells to make their soil pipes feel like part of the wider design. As with the paint, the key here is to remember that anything you use to decorate your soil pipes will be exposed to moisture, so picking appropriate materials will help to ensure the longevity of your stylistic choices.
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The Author: Jamie Brown
From my early working life as a labourer, then becoming a builder and a property developer, I have been buying and using building materials for over 25 years. I set about to start a builders merchant which can offer high-quality products and significant savings along with speedy delivery to keep your sites moving. Still having a foot in the construction industry on my own property, I always make sure the products we sell are up to our high standards which is important for us to keep a great image for the company and superior reputation to supply quality!
