How to Hide Boiler Pipes in Your Kitchen: 5 Simple Ideas

Boilers are designed to be functional, not stylish. 

So, let’s face it, uncovered boilers and exposed pipes can damage rooms’ interior design!

Even modern boilers, which look more sleek and stylish by the day, can be jarring. 

 At worst, this could even have an impact on your ability to sell your home. 

Potential buyers say no to exposed boilers!

Back in 2018, an Npower survey of 2,000 UK homeowners found that:

• 68% would avoid buying a property if it had an exposed boiler
• 48% reported they would try to knock £5,000 off the asking price if there was one.

Safety first

Ventilation and access are both essential for your boiler. Bear this in mind whilst considering the below options!

You may need to access the boiler (e.g., for repressurising your boiler yourself) or its pipes (e.g., because of a leak) yourself.

Or, if you have a boiler breakdown, an engineer needs to be able to access the boiler and the pipes with ease.

1. Behind a curtain

Curtains can cover unsightly pipes below your boiler. 

A spring-loaded curtain rod will allow you to hang the curtain without drilling into any walls. 

Then you can hang a curtain made from a fabric that matches the rest of your kitchen. 

If you have kitchen curtains or blinds, a matching fabric would help your curtain to blend in. You’ll also be able to easily remove it for access to clean.

2. Box in the pipes (& boiler)

You can purchase boiler pipe casing which will fit around most standard installations. 

This will help to cover pipes and prevent them from gathering dust. 

A simple boiler pipe box solution will also be easy to remove for access and will ensure good ventilation.

Boiler casings are also available for above and below your boiler. So, you can create a tidy appearance without committing to any serious carpentry work.

3. Hide it in a cupboard

This option might require the help of a carpenter. 

It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to find a cupboard to fit your boiler in the same style as your existing kitchen cupboards. 

This is why it pays to get a little creative. Ask a local carpenter for a quote to hide your entire boiler in a cupboard. 

A large hinged door will allow access and ventilation so you will know it is safe. 

You can then paint the door and the cupboard a colour that matches your existing kitchen cupboards. 

If you want to get even more creative, you could paint the door with blackboard paint. 

This will allow you to turn your boiler cupboard into an oversized chalkboard where you can leave notes.

4. Create a whole unit

When looking for a new home, potential buyers will be impressed by thoughtful and inventive ways to use space (which otherwise would be wasted). 

The space under your boiler could be put to good use by creating a custom storage unit around it.

The base of this storage unit can then be used to store items such as hoovers, mops, ironing boards, etc. 

Keeping the boiler separate from the storage compartment will ensure that you never overpack the cupboard and cause problems with ventilation. 

5. Consider moving the boiler

If you are upgrading your boiler and you are unhappy with the current location, ask for a quote to fit the boiler somewhere else. After all, upgrading a boiler is a home improvement. 

It’s not uncommon for boilers to be housed in storage cupboards in spare bedrooms to keep them completely out of sight. 

Being able to move your boiler will all depend on the type of boiler and your existing plumbing.