Do you dream of a beautiful bathroom but struggle with unsightly exposed plumbing? These neat ideas will help you conceal the pipes and give your room a fresh new look.
This type of content works well on social media and can generate discussions and a bit of harmless sparring. It humanises your business and can encourage loyalty from your audience.
Paint the Pipes
Paint is an easy way to give a room some color and brighten up the look of pipes. However, painting PVC can be trickier than other surfaces since the pipe’s molecular makeup prevents standard paint from adhering to it. The key is to prepare the surface properly and use a plastic-rated paint.
Start by cleaning the pipes and sanding/roughing them (ever so slightly). This will help the paint adhere to the surface and won’t hurt the integrity of the pipe. Next, wipe the surface down with acetone to remove any grease or other residue that might interfere with the paint’s effectiveness. If you’re using spray paint, shake it well and apply a thin layer to the pipes in a side-to-side motion. Repeat as necessary until the pipes are fully coated in a single, consistent color.
If you’re using a brush, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area and cover any items that may get sprayed with paint. It’s also a good idea to lay down drop cloths or plastic sheeting over the ground to keep it clean. If the pipes aren’t yet installed, stand them up on a wood dowel or post so you can easily reach both sides of them.
Be patient when working with the paint as it can take 24 hours to completely cure and dry. Avoid touching the painted surfaces until then, as even a short amount of contact could scratch or damage it.
Fit a Shelving Unit
This is one of the more classy options on this list and it’s a great way to direct attention away from the pipes. It also means you can have additional storage space for things like trinkets, photo frames, books and other items that make your home unique.
You can purchase shelving units or build them yourself, depending on your skill level and budget. Before you fit your shelving unit, discreetly mark the location of a wall stud at the highest point and two points on each side (use the 3,4,5 method). Use this to guide the position of your shelves and predrill holes into the wood using a spirit level. Then install your shelves, using “L” brackets or cantilever brackets if necessary.
You could even decorate the shelves and add a little personality to your bathroom. Wooden beading is ideal for this and looks good. Just remember to check your shelves are secure and straight before you finish. This is especially important if you are using heavy items on the shelves and it’s worth tacking a strip of beading to each shelf before you fix it to the wall. This will stop the shelves from sagging or falling off.
Create a Box Around the Pipes
One of the best ways to hide your pipes is to build a box around them. This will make them much less obvious and can be a really stylish look. However, this is a project that should only be attempted by DIY enthusiasts who are confident in their abilities and work safely at all times.
Before you begin, you should first check that there are no leaks in your pipes. It’s also worth checking that there are no exposed joints as these can be more difficult to fix once the pipes are in a box.
Once you have confirmed that there are no leaks, you can start building your pipe box. You will need to measure the distance between the pipe and the wall or ceiling, ensuring that any clips or fittings are left clear for access. This will help you determine the size of the boarding you need to purchase.
Once you have purchased the boarding, cut it to the measurements that you have taken and remove any burrs with a wood saw. Next, sand down the entire board to ensure that it is smooth and free from any rough areas. Finally, use a sealant to seal the edges of the boarding, then paint it or decorate it as you wish.
Install Additional Joints
Sometimes pipes can be stubborn, especially when corrosion or mineral deposits lock them together. When this happens, the best thing to do is cut them off. A hacksaw blade works well, but you can also use an oscillating or rotary tool to make the job easier.
This is a great idea if you don’t want to hide the pipes completely, and it allows you to decorate the exposed parts of the pipework to suit your style. You can paint them the same colour as the rest of the room to make them blend in or choose a brightly coloured alternative to draw attention to the feature.
This is another idea that can work for plumbing businesses, and it’s a good way to show off your creativity. It also helps establish you as a trustworthy source of information about plumbing-related topics. This kind of content works well across all social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. The key is to remember that your content needs to be entertainment-based, educational and promotional. If you can manage this, you’ll see your social following and website traffic grow as a result.
Plants & Flowers
Incorporating plants and flowers into your bathroom is a great way to liven up the view of exposed pipes and add character. You can even try arranging the plants in a specific theme to create a unique look. Posting this sort of content can be a good way to generate interest and start discussion, and it could also help your plumbing business grow by attracting new customers. However, it’s important to remember that your content should be entertaining, educational and useful – not braggy or self-promoting. This will ensure you build trust with your customers and grow your brand awareness.
Create a Living Wall
Often used in public spaces, like office buildings and hotels, living walls are a modern way to bring the outside in. These green displays offer many benefits, from reducing noise to acting as a layer of insulation and removing air pollutants. They can even add biodiversity to a home garden, according to Raby Castle head gardener Tim Marshall.
There are a number of ways you can try a living wall at home, but it is important to find the right structure for your needs. You can buy ready-made panels, kits, or build your own. Panel systems are modular, and can be fitted together to cover any size space. Panel systems can range in cost, depending on whether you opt for a simple DIY drip irrigation or a more sophisticated recirculation system.
If you are building your own structure, be sure to line it with plastic to prevent leakage of water and dirt. If you don’t, small mistakes could cause damage and rot to the load bearing wall on which your living wall hangs.
When choosing plants for your living wall, make sure they can withstand regular pruning and are suitable for your climate. Marino suggests grouping your plants in vertical or angled drifts, as opposed to horizontally, to prevent the higher plants shading out those below. Also, be sure to choose a mix of plant types for texture, form and colour.