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.
Ventilation and access are both essential for your boiler. Bear this in mind whilst considering the below options. You or an engineer may need access the boiler during an emergency or routine maintenance.
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
Read: Does a New Boiler Add Value to Your House — and When Is It Actually Worth It?
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. Buy a pipe cover kit
Items required:
- Pipe cover kit or under-boiler trim panel (available from most DIY and plumbing suppliers)
- A screwdriver.
This is the most affordable and none-disruptive. It targets the pipes themselves rather than the boiler. There are two main options, both are fully removable for access and require no specialist skills to fit.
Plastic pipe cover kits fit around individual pipes and clip to the wall. They are available in a range of sizes and colours. They typically cost between £5 and £20 per length.
Dedicated under-boiler covers or trim panels are suitable for pipework below the boiler unit. These clip around near the base of pipes and sit against the wall.
Read: What Is a Boiler Service — and What Does It Cover?
3. Box in the pipes (& boiler)
Items required:
- MDF or plywood sheet
- Timber batten
- Screws and wall plugs
- Jigsaw or hand saw
- Access panel hinge (available from DIY suppliers)
This step can create a plastered-finish look that can be painted to match your kitchen walls.
Cut your MDF or plywood to the width and height needed to enclose the pipes. Fix timber battens to the wall as a frame, then attach the panel to the battens. You can also fill the seams with decorating filler and sand before painting.
Always include an access panel. These are available from most builders' merchants. They are removable or openable section that enable access to boiler and pipes without dismantling the whole box.
Plastic boiler pipe casings are also available as an off-the-shelf solution if you want the look of boxing in without the carpentry.
Did you know? Before modern gas boilers, most British homes used a "back boiler" unit built directly behind the living room fireplace, which simultaneously heated their radiators and hot water cylinder. Stoking the boiler was a household routine involving several manual tasks. Modern boilers came between 1967 and 1977, when approximately 14 million UK homes switched from town gas to North Sea natural gas. This was one of the largest peacetime engineering programmes in British history.
4. 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.
Read: Boiler Not Working? Common Problems, Fixes & Costs
5. Create a whole unit
When looking for a new home, potential buyers might be impressed by the use of 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 you don't create problems with ventilation.
6. 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.
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.
Boilers in bedrooms
Read: What Should My Boiler Pressure Be? How to Fix Low and High Pressure Yourself
Boilers aren’t usually found in bedrooms except for some older properties and conversions.
When they are, they can sit behind the doors of a fitted wardrobe that match the rest of the room's furniture. However, it’s essential to have adequate ventilation and a hinged access panel that opens fully.
Freestanding wardrobes can also work. Simply remove the back panel and again ensure that there is adequate ventilation.
As with any permanent enclosure, a Gas Safe engineer should confirm the ventilation is adequate before anything is sealed in.
As with any permanent enclosure, a Gas Safe-registered engineer should confirm the ventilation is adequate before anything is sealed in.
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