OK, big decorating problem in basement!

12 years ago

Hi everyone!

I have two ugly floor-to-ceiling pipes that feed the sprinkler system. They aren't in a corner or anything--in fact you see them right when you enter the basement. Right in front of you!

We are doing a basement facelift (painting the ceiling, new lighting, new flooring), and I have to deal with this eyesore now.

Any thoughts? I am cool with painting the pipes (in fact I painted some other wall pipes in the basement and they look much better) BUT this one has water meters at the bottom of it. So those are going to be very prominent no matter what, and I can't paint those.

I was thinking of some hanging bamboo curtains or something, but I'd prefer something that is as unnoticeable as possible. I'm sure IKEA has curtain panels that would work, but there is some wire at the base of the thing to power the sprinklers, so I don't want anything to get too close to the wiring. My friend was thinking that I could reuse some of the closet bifolds that I removed as a cover, but they are not tall enough (and I'd have to figure out how to install them, which I do not possess adequate carpentry skills to achieve).

Your expert help will be most appreciated!!! (Next up? The new electrical service panel we're installing Friday.... sigh)

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Comments (22)

chickadee2_gw
12 years ago
Can't a plumber move them?
annzgw
12 years ago
Can you post a pic from the other direction.......looking toward the wall behind the pipe. I have some ideas but wonder how wide an area you're trying to cover.

Fabric touching wire shouldn't be any more dangerous than a curtain hanging over a lamp cord. Is the wire a grounding wire?
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purrus
Original Author
12 years ago
Chickadee someone professionally relocating them would definitely be my vote, but we are getting a new electrical service this week and are going to be looking at asbestos abatement and new flooring in the basement. So we are going to be broke, essentially. Otherwise, YES! of course. that is what I'd want.

I will take a pit from the other direction and post in a minute. I'm just not sure how to hide the sides if I just do a curtain panel, BIG SIGH.
Olychick
12 years ago
Would something like this work? Hard to know without knowing dimensions or seeing the whole room.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hollow square columns
arcy_gw
12 years ago
I too was thinking of boxing then in some how. Would a storage closet be helpful there, putting them inside it?
User
12 years ago
It would not cost much to build a little closet and enclose them. Maybe even less than moving the pipes.
suero
12 years ago
What I did for a utility wall was to hang vertical blinds. It's the most inexpensive solution, works wonderfully well, and keeps everything on that wall accessible, yet hidden. On that utility wall are the electrical panel, phone service, cable service, gas shutoff -- all of them eyesores but now beautifully hidden.
arcy_gw
12 years ago
I wondered about a wall. I had a friend whose septic was in a corner of what was to be her walk out family room. Then ended up putting up a wall and using the space for storage as well as hiding the utilities.
purrus
Original Author
12 years ago
Well, the thing is...It's right in the middle of the wall that's directly to your right as you enter the room. So a wall would be obtrusive, and I guess a closet would be too unless it was a really shallow one. I don't need a storage closet in that particular location...

Sigh. The original owner's kids were so cheap and lazy. what a stupid place to put pipes!!!!! It couldn't possibly be in a worse location.

Suero, do you have pics of the vertical blind solution? I was thinking of perhaps bookcases on either side and a blind between them, maybe? I'd love to see a picture.
tracey_b
12 years ago
What about one of those curved-type shower curtain rods--you might have to rig up something to get it to come further out from the wall--and hang up some curtains. A soft curve of coordinating fabric might not be too bad.
annzgw
12 years ago
Still waiting for a pic from other angle..... :~)
Happyladi
12 years ago
I would box them in with a door for access. It might look a little odd but it's gotta look better then just leaving them out.
mjsee
12 years ago
It's called a plumbing chase. You need one. Shouldn't be all that expensive to build. And it can stay until you have the money to re-locate the pipes.
purrus
Original Author
12 years ago
Sorry! I did actually take a pic from the other angle last night and never posted it. WHOOPS! here it is:
graywings123
12 years ago
You could paint most of what is there in the photo, just not the top of the meters. You probably need the info on the yellow tags, but I would change them to white tags by typing the info on to white paper.

In my opinion, it's a basement - paint it and forget it.
ttodd
12 years ago
Box it, trim and either call it a day or go for that 'industrial look and paint them the same as the wall.

No new suggestion from me that haven't already been posted from the other GW members!

Let us know what you do.
erinsean
12 years ago
It looks like you would have to be able to get to these pipes quickly. I would put a curtain from bookcase to bookcase to cover the pipes. If you don't need to get to the pipes, then I would put a shallow bookcase in front of them...painting the upper pipes, naturally.
purrus
Original Author
12 years ago
OK. I think I found someone who can eventually build a cabinet around them! (Cheaply too--he's family.)

I appreciate all of your advice!
Happyladi
12 years ago
I think a cabinet around them would be the best solution. Please post a picture when it's done!
User
12 years ago
Okay this may sound weird to some, but I'd find a way to make them into a modern piece of "art".
suero
12 years ago
My vertical blinds:

And this is the mess they hide:
User
12 years ago
Sue, that is a really brilliant idea.

OK, big decorating problem in basement!

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OK, big decorating problem in basement!

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