How to hide a gas pipe in the kitchen or decorate it: decor options

To make the kitchen interior as beautiful as possible, you need to work hard. The kitchen space requires a special approach. When installing a pipeline, designers and residents are often faced with the question of how to properly hide the gas pipe in the kitchen. Utility networks laid on top of the wall can ruin the appearance of the room and completely ruin the entire interior. But if you want to hide an unsightly gas pipeline, it will be possible, although this must be done taking into account certain requirements.

Kitchen gas pipe, how to decorate it

Safety requirements when decorating a gas pipeline

Utility gas networks in most apartments are laid through the kitchen and are classified as dangerous installations. Representatives of regulatory services are not concerned about the beauty of the home’s interior; their demands are based solely on safety. Numerous tips on how to close a gas meter in the kitchen with photos are not always reliable. Therefore, you need to know the basic rules:

one of the walls or door must be removable to provide quick access;
it is necessary to provide a mesh or perforation for ventilation;
the distance between the gas pipe and the wall of the box is from 5 cm.

When working with gas pipes, you must be extremely careful, since even the slightest crack can become the root cause of a serious accident.

For gas pipelines it is prohibited:

hang different objects on them;
insert into ventilation holes;
lay tightly into the walls;
arbitrarily cut off, transfer.

To protect the structure from rust and prolong its service life, it must be painted. For sealing it is necessary to use lightweight materials (wood, plastic). They must be resistant to moisture and household chemicals.

Application of the railing system

If anyone doesn’t know, a railing system is a railing pipe and various accessories, devices and devices suspended on it. It is possible to use a gas pipe in this capacity, taking certain precautions.

Firstly, it is not recommended to overload it or upgrade it.

Secondly, such use is possible if the pipe is in the required location and placed horizontally. If the pipe is located above the kitchen work area, you can paint it with the required paint and hang hooks with utensils.

Another option for using a railing system is to position the rails so that they hide the gas pipe as much as possible. The latter will only need to be painted with the required paint, which will make it as invisible as possible.

Is it possible to embed a pipeline into a wall?

Water supply and sewerage networks made of metal or plastic can be safely laid under plaster or behind plasterboard walls. Finished surfaces are designed in the same style as the interior. But at the same time, it is prohibited to remove meters and compartments with filters installed on them into the walls. As a rule, small doors are installed in such areas.

Gas pipes walled into the wall

As for gas pipes, everything is much more complicated here and this procedure will not work with them. The gas pipe in the kitchen is usually steel, so in places of contact with the cement mortar, in the presence of moisture, fistulas form over time, which lead to leakage.

If the newly purchased apartment has areas with a gas pipeline walled into the wall, then it is urgent to call specialists from the management company to redo this structure.

With paint

One of the simplest and most inexpensive ways is to paint the gas pipe in the same color as the walls, or vice versa, in a bright contrasting color.

To ensure an ideal result, use paints designed for painting pipes, which, in addition to the aesthetic component, protect metal pipes from corrosion.

What are the methods for masking a gas pipe?

A favorite design technique is the use of ventilated decorative panels. It is recommended to use lightweight structures that are ventilated and can be easily dismantled. The most important condition is unhindered access to networks. There are many ways that do not violate the laws of operation.

Is it possible to hide a pipe in a plasterboard box?

It’s easy to assemble a simple structure with your own hands, using ordinary moisture-resistant, fire-resistant gypsum plasterboard and profiles, providing access to the route. The decorative box will be part of the wall, and the gas pipeline will be completely hidden behind it. An organized closed structure must have air ventilation; for this purpose, a mesh or special perforation is used. This eliminates gas formation in the event of a leak or emergency.

In addition to gypsum boards, frosted glass, perforated MDF, lining, polymer, and plastic are often used.

Disguise as a roof rail

Gas pipe hidden behind the railing.
Functional kitchen pipes serve as an additional cover in contrast. Kitchen railing systems are often used where the lines run in the opening between the cabinets and the countertop. They are usually placed parallel to the kitchen apron. The decorative rod is installed just below the pipe line. You can hang various utensils, spices, cups, and potholders on it. Thus, utility networks can become the core of the interior composition.

The gas main serves solely as a decoration; nothing can be hung or attached to it.

Laying pipes above furniture

To ensure that utility networks do not spoil the design or interfere with the arrangement of furniture, they can be moved to another location. But this cannot be done with every highway. If the turns and loops of the gas supply system do not suit the owner, he can request a relocation service based on current requirements from an authorized company.

When transferring or replacing gas utility networks, the work is carried out after the furniture has already been installed and it is not planned to change it in the near future.

The project must be developed and agreed with the management of the gas supply company, and the installation is carried out by professionals who block the main lines in the building and perform the installation. Typically, workers place the horizontal part of the pipeline directly above the cabinets, and with the help of inserts they lay vertical sections close to the high and narrow parts of the furniture.

Placing pipelines inside furniture

Vertical elements are usually hidden in a pencil case, and horizontal elements are placed in a cabinet. The advantage of this option is that there is constant access to all equipment, and if the kitchen area is limited, then the shelves are used for their intended purpose. Manufactured furniture products must have no back walls. For a column, the cabinet must be made open at the top; for this, the top element can simply be cut out. The doors are made of a lattice barrier, which is at the same time decorative, but at the same time not airtight.

Gas pipe behind the kitchen door

Hanging furniture elements for dishes with voids will cost more, since they will have to be made to order in the showroom.

Masking by dyeing

A universal painting method is to coat the pipes to match the walls with non-vapor-permeable paint, suitable for:

acrylic;
oil;
nitro enamel.

Selecting a color scheme to match the color of the wall decoration will eliminate the formation of contrast and hide highways even in a small space of a Khrushchev panel building. Before painting, the old coating must be removed and the coating must be cleaned. Sometimes the pipe is painted to resemble a tree trunk, for example, a birch. Those who know how to draw well will be able to create unusual graphic, floral, ornate patterns. In high-tech or minimalist design, it is permissible to paint all pipe systems in a metallic tone.

Textile decor

Gas networks or a meter are easily hidden behind blinds, curtains, curtains when they are located near a window. For a complete combination, the surface of the highway is painted in a color identical to the color of the textile. This is the simplest and most rule-free method.

The smallest leak of household gas can be fatal. Gluing beautiful cords, magnets and other hand-made decors may cause criticism from inspection companies, since decorating elements should not complicate access and ventilation. In addition, using this method often only serves to draw attention to the pipeline rather than to play with it.

Decorating with bamboo panels

Pipes inside bamboo sticks
Pipe lines can be decorated with unique elements that can add zest to the entire kitchen. Securing bamboo sticks by cutting is a budget-friendly and beautiful way. The trunk must be large in diameter; it is cut along its entire length and attached to the communications with plastic ties or twine. This replaceable casing has an attractive natural texture and would be appropriate, for example, in an eco-style.

Using decoupage

The original technique allows you to transfer a design from a napkin or a special film to the surface of a gas pipeline. In this case, there remains free access to utility networks for maintenance and preventive inspections. Furniture, curtains, interior decoration, kitchen appliances must be coordinated in a carefully thought-out style and consistent with the idea.

Box made of PVC panels

In this simple way, you can hide not only the pipes, but also the chimney, and the equipment included in the system - the meter and the boiler. Installation of a plastic box is carried out in the same way as from gypsum plasterboard. Its joints and external corners are covered with decorative corners. For owners of a gas heating unit, the question of how to hide a gas hose in the kitchen is especially relevant? This problem is effectively solved by PVC panels and boxes.

The installation must be carried out so that there is enough free space inside the box for access to the components of the line.

Special locker

Such an element can be made independently if the owner is at least a little familiar with furniture hinges, handles and materials.

It must be taken into account that the design must have air holes. This cabinet would be appropriate under a gas boiler or water heater, where many flexible hoses for water and gas are located. In this case, access to pipes and equipment will be free - just open the door.

Dependence of choice on various factors

When choosing one of the listed methods, you should weigh all the pros and cons and choose only the right one:

budget - special sleeves (casings);
pipes next to the sink - hide in wooden cabinets;
in the middle of the wall - in a box, use decoration;
in the corner is the easiest installation of the box, since you only need to cover two planes, and it’s even easier to put a refrigerator in this place.
The height of the line is sometimes 70–80 cm from the floor and it can be successfully hidden in the lower cabinets, under the countertop.

A pipe disguised as a loft style
will complement the unsightly numerous communications painted with copper-bronze paint well and fit coherently into the loft style.

Use textiles, cords, twines

Using a rope or rope, wrap the gas pipe after covering it with glue.

For beauty, you can weave or glue various decorative elements - plastic flowers or leaves, rhinestones and beads, shells brought from the sea. This method is suitable for interiors in country or eco-style.

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Ventilation grilles

Another natural material is bamboo. Here's how to hide a gas pipe using it. Select a bamboo stick with an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the gas pipe, cut it lengthwise and wrap it around the gas pipe. The result will impress you.

Prohibited techniques for masking a pipe

It is necessary in time, even at the stage of drawing up the project, before carrying out repairs, taking into account the arrangement of furniture, to worry about hiding the pipelines. Simple, easy solutions to problems often turn out to be wrong.

It is strictly prohibited:

lay communications, especially gas ones in ventilation ducts, under the floor, behind the suspended ceiling;
build the speaker into furniture and intersect with other communications;
swap or combine the air duct of a gas boiler (boiler) and a kitchen hood;
connect the slabs to the gas pipeline using a thin elastic hose, which is easily hidden in the hole.

It is better not to hide the gas pipeline, but to make it an original part of the interior. Although this approach will require good design taste from the performer, in order to comply with safety laws, the solution is ideal.

Paint the pipe with patterns

To add individuality to the appearance of the pipe, apply a pattern or ornament to it using stencils or spot painting patterns, which can be continued on interior items, furniture, and walls.

There are many options for patterns - these include Khokhloma and exotic Indian patterns, or simple geometric shapes. The choice is limited only by your imagination and desire.

How to hide a gas meter in the kitchen

It is not forbidden to hide flow meters behind a box, false wall, in a closet or drawer. In these cases, access must also be organized for monitoring and emergency services. For example, if a shelf is located close to the device, then it is better not to store anything on it so as not to block access to the measuring device. The most common option is to hide the counter in a cabinet next to the kitchen unit or in a separately ordered pencil case that will match the unit in color and style. You can make a unique removable door from unusual glass or magnets.

False wall

A similar method, but semi-legal, is to simply push the wall forward, and the pipe will remain behind it. Install inspection hatches in the plasterboard wall at the points of taps and connections. Make holes for air circulation.

If furniture will be hung on this wall, leave access to the inspection hatches.

How to hide a gas cylinder in the kitchen

An interesting solution for a gas cylinder in the kitchen.
In kitchen areas it is allowed to place a flammable gas cylinder with a capacity of no more than 12 liters. It will have to be constantly checked for leaks, gaskets changed, and refilled.

It is prohibited to place or hide gas cylinders in basements and cellars.

To hide an unsightly cylinder, a plasterboard structure or a large pencil case without a back wall is perfect. Transparent doors allow you to control fuel consumption.

Painting or painting

Regular painting of the kitchen gas pipeline is important not only for the beauty of the kitchen design, but also for the safety of the owners, as well as the safety of the metal. If there is an opportunity to combine business with pleasure, then you should use this method.

The best way to decorate is to paint it the same color as the kitchen wall. Merging with the surrounding environment, the highway no longer attracts attention, becoming an organic part of the interior.

Watch the video

For decoration, use any paint suitable for the kitchen design. It is important to follow the general rules when painting gas pipes:

before starting painting, stop the gas supply to the area being treated; try to remove old paint as efficiently as possible before new painting; prime the working base for painting; cover with the selected decorative coating.

A well-executed paint job can draw maximum attention away from an undesirable structure. Often, instead of hiding a defect from public view, they choose, on the contrary, to emphasize it.

This is what various methods of kitchen painting are aimed at. The choice of method depends entirely on the design. You can paint the pipe to match the tile pattern of the kitchen backsplash or in a similar way to wallpaper.

Do the work yourself or call a professional

Painting a pipe or hiding it under various elements without violating technical safety laws is not difficult for a person with basic skills. You will have to ask for help when unique painting and design skills are required.

The gas is explosive, so major installation work should only be carried out by a professional. To make sure that the technical plan is correct, you will need to contact the gas service. The time, expense and risk make relocating networks unwise even in the rare cases where it is possible, so owners try to camouflage the mains.

Willful constructive interference in gas communications will result in penalties. In addition, the work of a self-taught master can result in irreversible consequences for the owner during operation.

Most residents refuse to completely close systems, preferring simple and economical methods that can be done independently. If you want to make your kitchen design impeccable, it is important to comply with existing requirements and remember the safety of all family members.

Painting

The most affordable and easiest way to disguise is to paint the pipe to match the kitchen backsplash. Gas service employees will be satisfied and will not find fault with this decision.

Of course, the problem will not disappear completely from view. But the pipes will definitely not be an eyesore with their design.

Now you can achieve any shade of paint. Don't be afraid to experiment. After all, you can always paint over it with a new layer.

Or, on the contrary, you can use painting to emphasize the design on the pipes. For example, if you turn gas communications into birch branches. It's easy to do.

Mark black strokes on a white surface with strokes. If there is no open fire nearby, then wrap the pipe with an artificial vine with leaves. This option is not suitable for modern style kitchens, but will look great in kitchens made of natural wood.

Pipe with outlet to the slab

In houses where there are no gas water heaters or boilers, the pipe can hang low over the stove, crawling out onto the apron. It is hidden in a cabinet with a hood, and the edge that sticks out too much is cut off, replacing it with a flexible hose.

You can also install a non-built-in or separately hanging hood with a casing into which the vertical “branch” of the pipe must be retracted.

In this case, the hood is mounted on a block whose thickness matches the distance of the pipe from the wall. To simplify the process, the pipe can be cut and replaced with a flexible hose.

Important. All changes: cutting, moving, installing hoses or plugs are carried out only after agreement with the gas service.

How to increase the space of a room?

If the kitchen in a Khrushchev-era apartment is too cramped and has a wall-mounted gas heater, the owners are first of all puzzled by the possibilities of expanding the space while maintaining its functionality.

There are several proven methods to help visually increase the kitchen area with a column. At the same time, it will become even more comfortable:

It is better to abandon floor-mounted cabinets. Heavy facades with massive handles are also not suitable. An excellent option would be a modular set with doors made of glass or with a glossy finish. Such furniture reflects light and looks more elegant, visually freeing up space.
If there is a door leading into the kitchen, you need it to open outward. But it is advisable to remove it completely. An open arched opening will save precious meters and create the illusion of “flowing” space.
It is convenient to equip a functional shelf in the niche under the window sill.
If possible, you should remove the refrigerator from the kitchen or choose the most compact model.
It is better to limit window decor to Roman blinds with translucent textiles.
To decorate a mini-kitchen, wall decoration in light colors is successful. This will make the room visually more spacious. It is better to avoid large designs altogether, as they will make the kitchen seem cramped.

The ideal solution is redevelopment:

Combining the living room with the kitchen. Organizing additional space will make it easier to plan the kitchen with the arrangement of all the necessary furniture and equipment. But you will need a powerful hood to prevent food odors from hanging in the living room.

Connection to the balcony. A small kitchen will become a little more spacious and brighter, but you will have to spend money on dismantling the wall and insulating it.

Expanding the kitchen by reducing the bathroom. Moving the wall deeper will give you greater maneuverability when moving around the kitchen. But you'll have to make room in the bathroom

The important thing here is to decide which space is easier to sacrifice.

Radical measures will require considerable investment, including to legitimize perestroika. But, having received documents from government authorities, it will be possible to live comfortably with a layout that suits you and does not constrain you.

Rules for safe installation of a geyser

When a large-scale redevelopment is planned, a radical relocation or installation of a gas heater in an apartment for the first time, it is impossible to do without obtaining the appropriate permits from the gas services. The complexity of the coordination is determined by the distance of “moving” and the location chosen for mounting the speaker.

A transfer project is drawn up if the device is moved more than 1.5 meters from the previous installation area. On average, it takes up to several months to obtain official permission

We also recommend that you pay attention to the rules for moving a gas pipe

Since a geyser is a potentially dangerous device and requires extremely careful handling in everyday life, let’s talk in more detail about the general rules and requirements regarding installation. Almost any manipulation with the device requires approval from regulatory authorities

There is no need to coordinate your actions only in two cases: if the unit has already been installed, remains in the same place, or is replaced by a similar one

Almost any manipulation with the device requires approval from regulatory authorities. There is no need to coordinate your actions only in two cases: if the unit has already been installed, remains in the same place, or is replaced by a similar one

Requirements for the installation site

The placement of the appliance in the kitchen is limited by rigid boundaries. It is strictly forbidden to install the unit above a sink, refrigerator, or gas stove. The minimum distance between them is 1 meter.

Access to the gas water heater should be as free as possible. This will ensure quality service and the ability to inspect the device if necessary.

In addition, the device should not be mounted too low or high. It is advisable that the burner be at eye level or at least within sight.

For residents of small apartments, where the kitchen area does not exceed 6 m², an exception is provided: they can hang the column above the sink

Recommended height:

from the floor to the bottom surface of the device – 0.8-1.2 m;
from the top surface to the ceiling - from 0.3 m;
from the side panel to the wall - at least 0.15 m;
from the front panel to the opposite wall – from 1 m.

It is better not to decorate the walls near the speaker with wallpaper and plastic panels. The surface on which installation is to be carried out must be covered with non-flammable materials. The same rule applies to all panels used to disguise the device.

Requirements for the premises

A gas water heater is installed in houses with a height of no more than 11 floors. Gas workers insist on installation within the kitchen area, but if a number of additional requirements are met, installation in the bathroom is now possible.

But in a studio kitchen that combines two rooms in an apartment with redevelopment, it will not be allowed to install a column. According to the law, the space in which a gas water heater is installed cannot be part of a living room.

Many people neglect this rule, explaining their decision by the fact that no one sleeps in the living room. However, from a security point of view this is considered a serious violation.

In the room where the heater operates, you should not overdo it with waterproofing and insulation of windows. If the apartment has plastic window structures, they must have a micro-ventilation function

Basic requirements for the room in which the speaker will be installed:

the presence of a high-quality, unclogged ventilation system with natural air flow;
diameter of the ventilation hole circumference – not less than 0.12 m;
sufficient area - 6.5-8 m², but specific parameters depend on the type of burner;
ceiling height – not less than 2 m.

To obtain permission to install or change the position of a gas heater, it is necessary to prepare a certified report on the condition of the chimney, a technical certificate of the device itself. You will also need an installation project and a document confirming the ownership of the property.

We talked in more detail about the standards and requirements for installing a geyser in our other article.

Compliance with the requirements for the room and installation location of the speaker will significantly increase the level of safety of family members. However, in order to provide for all risks and completely eliminate the likelihood of emergency situations, it is worth installing a gas leak detector in the room

Installation of gas pipes, installation, connection and first start-up of the device must be carried out exclusively by professionals. After all work is completed, gas service employees issue a commissioning certificate.

We disguise it as an interior

One of the easiest ways to “bring” a gas water heater into the kitchen interior is to cover it with the same wallpaper as the walls of the room. Or cover it with a vinyl film similar to them in style and color. You can also match the shade of the film for the water heater to the kitchen unit.

The best option is to paint the speaker with non-flammable paint to match the walls or furniture. Heat-resistant enamel, which is intended for coating metal, is best suited for these purposes.

However, you can use a regular spray can, then even a teenager can cope with the task. In this case, do not forget to cover the screen and handles of the device with masking tape, and also cover the surface behind the speaker.

Types of geysers

The operating principle of all speakers is the same. Units for heating water differ from each other in the way they ignite the burner in the column. Several varieties can be distinguished.

Speakers with manual ignition

This type of speakers is outdated. These were used back in Soviet times. The gas was lit with matches, and the fire flared up after turning the gas supply switch.

Speakers with piezo ignition

The column starts working by pressing the start button. By pressing it, you supply a spark to the burner using the built-in piezoelectric element. Then you can open the tap and get hot water.

Automatic speakers

The water in them begins to heat up immediately after opening the water tap. The spark is supplied automatically to the burner. Pressing buttons and matches are not needed at all here. The spark supply is powered by AA batteries. Energy consumption is minimal, so they rarely require replacement with new ones.

Speakers also differ in power. The more powerful the column, the greater the volume of water it will heat in a certain time. If you have a large family, then choose a device with the highest power. For example, a column with a power rating of 24 kW heats 14 liters. This volume is enough for a shower for several people and washing dishes.