A wall-mounted Sink or washbasin really saves space in the bathroom, where the actual area is often limited. But there’s just one small problem – exposed plumbing, including the drain pipe and water stop valves, is rarely pretty. In fact, as they tarnish over time, they can be downright ugly. If only there was an easy way to hide them. In this article, we will be sharing so piping ideas for bathroom sink you can try.
In fact, if you think outside the box, you can hide them in a variety of ways, sometimes in plain sight. The most effective way would be to replace the wall-mounted sink with a pedestal sink. If you don’t want to do this, there are several other options and you may be able to come up with some ideas of your own.
3 Piping Ideas for Bathroom Sink You Should Consider
1. Camouflage or decorate the pipes
The drain pipe for a wall-mounted sink is usually chrome rather than PVC because, it is said, chrome is more decorative. But when you stop to think about it, chrome doesn’t match many colours and because it’s shiny, it always stands out. You can do better.
How about painting the pipes to match or contrast the color of the wall so that the pipes are a feature? It’s easy to do if you first clean them with vinegar, sodium trisodium phosphate solution or TSP substitute and then spray or paint them with a good quality metallic primer. This provides a base for the interior enamel of your choice, which you can also spray or brush on.
Another idea is to wrap the tubes with decorative masking tape known as washi tape. This comes in all rainbow colors and you can mix and match it with the contents of your heart Once you have finished wrapping the tubes, be sure to apply one or two layers of clear polyurethane to prevent peeling.
2. Cover the pipes with a sink skirt
You can buy a self-adhesive sink skirt online, but it’s not much harder to make your own, even if sewing isn’t your forte. All you need is a few square yards of the fabric of your choice and a few strips of hook and loop tape, also known by the trade name Velcro.
Cut the fabric into two pieces extending from the lip of the sink to just above the floor and from the back of the sink to the front center, allowing for a 1 or 2 inch overlap. Fasten the top and bottom of each piece and sew the hook side of the tape to the top edge. Glue the loop side of the tape to the sink, secure the fabric and voila, no more tubes – and you have extra storage space for toilet paper and bathroom cleaning supplies.
3. Have you considered building a small vanity/cabinet?
The fact that a wall-mounted sink is already supported makes it easy to build a cabinet around it. The cabinet can be as small or large as you want, but if you build a vanity large enough to support a countertop, you’ll have extra space for your toiletries and other bathroom essentials. If hiding the pipes is your only priority, you can build a small and narrow cabinet that does just that.
The simplest cabinet consists of a rectangular frame covered with plywood or some other material and painted, stained or otherwise finished to match your bathroom decor. Be sure to leave the frame open at the back so that you can slide the cabinet into place against the wall, and add at least one door for extra storage space.
Although plumbing is an essential element of every home and apartment, you will agree with me that its visibility can sometimes be unattractive. Exposed pipes and uncomfortable drainage tanks can reduce the appeal of the living space – especially those located under the bathroom sink. But how can you hide these pipes? We’ve looked at a few ways to do this and in this post, we’ll share them with you.
Here Are 4 Other Ways To Beautifully Hide Pipes Behind A Bathroom Sink
1. Place storage bin under the sink to hide pipes
Another option is to place a storage bin or small basket under the sink to cover the pipes. Search closets and empty rooms for any extra bins, portable storage items or baskets that may be lying around. If you can’t find anything, consider going online to buy a collapsible square bin, a sewing basket or a small crate. You can use a single bin or up to three to cover the pipes and hide them from view.
It’s a good idea to measure the area under your sink first before you buy the bins to make sure they will fit into the small space under the sink. You don’t want them blocking access to the sink area.
2. Construct a small shelve to hide the pipes underneath your sink
If you are very handy, you can also build a small shelf to cover the pipes under your sink. You can do this by purchasing about $20 worth of wood from your local hardware store.
You may even be able to find prefabricated shelves that you can buy locally. It is important to measure the dimensions of the shelves in relation to the dimensions of the space available under your sink. You should also make sure that you take into account any modifications that may need to be made to fit the shelf around the pipes.
3. Add some plants in pots to the decoration
Do you have a green thumb? Consider placing three or four potted plants under the sink to give it a feng shui feel. Potted plants are a great way to hide visible pipes under your sink. You can visit a local nursery to find plants that are large enough to hide the pipes, but small enough to fit in your small bathroom space. Be sure to consider the space under the sink beforehand; this includes measuring the area you want to cover.
You should also consider the amount of care the plants will require. For example, if the plants need a dry environment, it may not be the best choice if the bathroom has a bathtub or shower.
4. Build mini wall cladding
If you want to cover the pipes completely, consider building a mini wall around them. This wall will be similar to the rest of the bathroom walls, except that it will be specially adapted to go around the pipes. If you have some carpentry know-how, you can build it yourself with a sheet of drywall and a can of paint. You’ll first need to measure the area around the sink and the square feet of drywall you’ll need to cover the pipes.
Make sure you add at least 2 inches so that the pipes don’t touch the drywall directly. You don’t want them to come in contact with the drywall if a water leak problem occurs. Once you get your measurements and cut a few pieces of drywall, you should be able to complete the job in about 2 to 4 hours.
In Conclusion
You don’t have to keep ignoring exposed pipes under your bathroom sink. There are ways in which you can cover them up without spending so much. Just remember to take proper measurements before implementing a plan to hide them.