Exposed pipework and other plumbing fixtures are often unsightly and can ruin the overall look of your bathroom.
But it doesn’t have to be this way, as there are several ways that pipework can be hidden to ensure a much neater finish.
From hiding bathroom plumbing with bathroom furniture, to boxing in pipework and building a fake wall, we share six ways to conceal ugly pipework.
Box in the pipework
If you don’t have the budget to replace your existing fixtures with products that have concealed pipework, then boxing in the plumbing pipes offers a good alternative.
If you have the skills and experience, you could box in the pipework yourself. To do this you will need a measuring tape, nails, hammer and a saw, as well as pieces of wood.
If the pipes run along the floor at a low level, the box you create to hide them, can be used as a shelf.
You could also paint the pipework to match the colour of the wall, so it blends in more, if making a box seems too complicated.
Bathroom furniture
Bathroom furniture such as vanity units and cistern units, provide a simple yet effective way to hide the plumbing pipes in your bathroom.
Cistern units are designed for use with back to wall toilets, and these conceal all the pipework and the cistern in a furniture unit.
This also allows for easier cleaning and creates a neater finish too. The top of the cistern unit can be used as extra storage space or for displaying decorative objects.
Vanity units combine a sink and storage into one space saving unit, and they provide a great way to conceal pipework around the basin. Replacing an old sink with a vanity unit will give your bathroom an upgrade without too much effort.
Choose a pedestal basin
Basins with a full or semi pedestal are great for hiding unsightly pipework, and it’s not difficult to replace an old sink with a stylish new one.
Pedestal basins come in a wide range of sizes to suit any bathroom, as well as modern and traditional styles, and they are the easiest type to install.
Wall hung basins offer another solution, as the pipework can be disguised with a chrome bottle trap. Bottle traps feature a chrome finish that blends in easily with other bathroom fixtures such as the shower and taps.
Fit your new basin with the help of our how-to guide.
Conceal pipes in the wall
Although a costly and arduably disruptive option, hiding the pipes in the wall or under the floor will make a huge difference to the look of your bathroom.
This is how the pipework is concealed in new build properties, but if you’re considering an extension with a new bathroom or planning to rip out an existing bathroom to start again, then this may be a good option for you, and will be worth it in the long run.
Hiding the pipes without replacing the basin and toilet is another solution, but you will need to get a plumber to move the pipes around.
You could be without your bathroom for several days though, as there will be other work such as plastering and decorating that needs to be done once the pipes have been moved. So, bear this in mind before starting any work.
Fit a wall hung toilet
Wall hung toilets have their pipework and the cistern concealed in the wall behind, so all that’s on show is the pan and a flush plate.
This provides a sleek, minimal finish and a creates a clean, modern look. A properly fitted frame and toilet will comfortably support 200kg.
The wall hung pan is fitted to a frame, which also incorporates the cistern. You will need to make sure the cistern can be accessed in case any issues arise. Access is usually gained via the flush plate, which simply lifts off to allow access to the cistern behind.
Build a fake wall
Pipes that run around the walls may not suitable for boxing in, so instead you could conceal the pipework by building an additional plasterboard wall in front of the existing wall. This is a great cost-effective option for larger bathrooms.
You will need to hire a builder to construct the fake wall, and then a plumber will be required to move the basin and toilet so they fit neatly against the new wall. If you are having new lights or any other electrical work done, remember to hire a qualified electrician to carry this work out. It’s a good idea to get some quotes for this work, and make sure it’s the right option for your bathroom before going ahead.
How have you hidden pipework?
Got an ingenious solution to hiding bathroom pipework? Let us know in the commensts!
John has a background in sports journalism, and lists content writing amongst his primary passions. He provides expert bathroom trends commentary and analysis, as well as offering meticulously researched answers to the most frequently asked bathroom posers.
