8 Sneaky Ways to Disguise HDB Piping
Though these bathroom pipes are in plain sight, they certainly aren't unsightly
Never a pretty sight, exposed piping is as awkward-looking (and -sounding) as it gets. Don’t settle for ugly and bulky just yet; there are several solutions to deal with this eyesore. Boxing these chunky pipes up is one. According to HDB regulations, you do need to factor in a removable access opening of 600mm by 600mm to allow for future inspections and maintenance. Adhering to this regulation, however, is not that simple. “We need to take the orientation of the piping into account and whether there is enough space to box things up before going ahead,” says the design team at Fuse Concept. “It might affect the usability of other sanitary ware like the water closet (toilet) if space is an issue”, they add.
This explains why some designers would rather leave pipes exposed. One of them is New Nyew from New Nyew Design, who says: “We rarely box them up because it takes up a lot of space. We only do it when the piping is located in a corner and doesn’t interfere with the other bathroom fixtures.” Design director Kate Ng from Design Neu advises against a permanent box-up for sewage pipes as well, as there could be unforeseen circumstances such as water leakage. She says, “We will always try to advise homeowners not to hide them but to beautify by using paint, tiles or even carpentry to add colour, texture and pattern.”
Boxing it up or not, take a look at how these designers saved the day by concealing unsightly piping to good effect.
This explains why some designers would rather leave pipes exposed. One of them is New Nyew from New Nyew Design, who says: “We rarely box them up because it takes up a lot of space. We only do it when the piping is located in a corner and doesn’t interfere with the other bathroom fixtures.” Design director Kate Ng from Design Neu advises against a permanent box-up for sewage pipes as well, as there could be unforeseen circumstances such as water leakage. She says, “We will always try to advise homeowners not to hide them but to beautify by using paint, tiles or even carpentry to add colour, texture and pattern.”
Boxing it up or not, take a look at how these designers saved the day by concealing unsightly piping to good effect.
2. Go industrial
While the sewage piping has been painted matte black, the copper piping is left in its original colour. This works in this industrial-style bathroom with its cement screed walls by Hue Concept.
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While the sewage piping has been painted matte black, the copper piping is left in its original colour. This works in this industrial-style bathroom with its cement screed walls by Hue Concept.
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3. Box it up
A pair of large pipes is encased in cabinets which can also be used to stash long items like a feather duster, extra broomsticks etc. EFR Design & Build had no issue with boxing up since the pipes are located in an inconspicuous area.
A pair of large pipes is encased in cabinets which can also be used to stash long items like a feather duster, extra broomsticks etc. EFR Design & Build had no issue with boxing up since the pipes are located in an inconspicuous area.
4. Open doors
A common way of concealing under-sink piping is to use cabinetry. It offers storage for bathroom essentials and you won’t even know the pipe is there when the cabinet doors are closed.
A common way of concealing under-sink piping is to use cabinetry. It offers storage for bathroom essentials and you won’t even know the pipe is there when the cabinet doors are closed.
5. Camouflage it
This sewage pipe is impossible to hide because of its central location so the Reno Cube designers painted it to blend with the white colour scheme.
This sewage pipe is impossible to hide because of its central location so the Reno Cube designers painted it to blend with the white colour scheme.
6. In disguise
A glossy black finish for the sewage pipe downplays its unsightly aesthetics. The new treatment actually makes it look like a pillar; a more appealing home fixture.
A glossy black finish for the sewage pipe downplays its unsightly aesthetics. The new treatment actually makes it look like a pillar; a more appealing home fixture.
7. Use colour
With no way or room to box up the sewage pipes, the Fuse Concept design team painted it to become part of the groovy colour-block feature wall.
With no way or room to box up the sewage pipes, the Fuse Concept design team painted it to become part of the groovy colour-block feature wall.
8. Make a match
To keep the walkway clear and to give a clear line of sight in this bathroom, Fuse Concept painted the overhead piping a flaming orange to match the mosaic wall. They also try to re-route piping when necessary to minimise the length of piping.
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To keep the walkway clear and to give a clear line of sight in this bathroom, Fuse Concept painted the overhead piping a flaming orange to match the mosaic wall. They also try to re-route piping when necessary to minimise the length of piping.
TELL US
How have you concealed or played up your HDB pipes? Show us a photo in the Comments section.
More
Find a renovation professional in Singapore
Browse more Singapore photos for design inspiration
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The Chapter B designers went the other direction by incorporating the piping as part of the bathroom’s industrial aesthetics. Painting the copper piping black makes a strong style statement by outlining the wall and ceiling in a distinctive way.