Ways to hide visible pipes in a house without large expenses, while giving it a stylish look

Even if a house is impeccably clean, the presence of an open drainage channel on a balcony, in a bathroom, or in a yard can spoil the overall appearance of the dwelling. Furthermore, such channels can become a source of unpleasant odors and dirt accumulation. Usually, in such cases, people consider installing expensive covers or removing flooring. However, there are simple and inexpensive methods that allow you to cover the channel without major renovation.

These methods not only help conceal the drainage but also contribute to creating a clean and aesthetic look for the home. Below are nine simple methods that will improve the appearance of the residence and simplify the cleaning process.

1. Using steel covers

   If you have an open channel in your bathroom or on your balcony, you can cover it with a stainless steel lid. These lids have small holes that ensure free water drainage. They can be removed and the drain easily cleaned when necessary.

2. Installing tile-mimicking drainage covering

   To make the channel less noticeable on the floor, you can install a special drainage covering that resembles tiles. This allows it to blend harmoniously with the flooring. When installing, ensure that water drains properly and choose a covering that is easy to remove for cleaning.

3. Decorating the area around the channel with colored stones

   In the yard, garden, or on the balcony, you can make the area around the channel more attractive by scattering colored pebbles. White, gray, or black stones give the place a beautiful look. It is important to remember not to throw stones directly into the channel, as this can block water flow.

4. Laying wooden decking tiles on the balcony

   To conceal the drainage and improve the appearance of the balcony floor, you can use wooden decking tiles. You must choose tiles that are resistant to moisture and water. They should be laid in a way that allows water to drain freely, and the tiles should be removable for maintenance.

5. Creating a green look with artificial turf

   On the balcony, you can lay artificial turf around the drainage channel to give the area a green and picturesque look. The turf should be placed so that it does not cover the channel and can be easily removed for cleaning.

6. Masking the channel with potted plants

   On the balcony or in the yard, you can place pots with standing plants next to the channel. This will draw the eye away from the channel itself to the plants, making the space more aesthetic. You should ensure that the pots do not impede water drainage and that they can be easily moved during cleaning.

7. Covering visible pipes with a PVC box

   Drainage pipes visible on walls in the bathroom, kitchen, or on the balcony can be hidden using a PVC box. Choosing a box that matches the wall color will help discreetly hide the pipe. It is important, however, to ensure that the box can be opened for pipe repair if necessary.

8. Installing a sturdy concrete coating for outdoor channels

   For an open channel located outside the house, you can install a sturdy concrete coating. This will make the area tidier. The cover must be one that can be removed when necessary. If vehicles pass over this area, you should choose a coating capable of withstanding significant weight.

9. Using decorative metal mesh

   To give the channel a beautiful appearance, you can install a metal mesh with a decorative pattern. It can be chosen to match the tile or the house railings. The mesh must allow water to pass through and be removable for cleaning purposes.

As the festival of Diwali approaches, everyone strives to make their homes look bright and festive. Some buy new curtains, while others decorate the house with various decorations. However, sometimes one damaged wall can spoil the beauty of the entire room, especially if there are signs of dampness, peeling paint, or black mold on the wall. Even after thorough cleaning, the house may look old and untidy.

In such cases, people often consider repainting or applying plaster, but this can require significant expense. Fearing that the budget might get out of control, many cancel such plans. If you also want to hide the damp walls of your home with minimal cost before Diwali, there are several clever ways that can help you. With these methods, you can conceal unsightly parts of the wall using decorations and give the room a new look. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that these methods do not eliminate the cause of the dampness; to do so, the source of moisture in the wall must be addressed.

Masking cracks and stains with wallpaper

If there are stains or peeling paint on a room wall, it can be updated by using wallpaper. There are many wallpaper designs available on the market. You can choose floral, marble, brick, or wood patterns according to your preferences, which will make the room wall beautiful. However, before sticking up wallpaper, be sure to check the wall. If there is dampness or mold in the wall, you cannot stick wallpaper directly onto it, as moisture may remain inside, promoting mold growth. Therefore, the dampness problem must first be eliminated and the wall thoroughly dried before wallpapering.

Decorating the wall with paintings or photo frames

If there are signs of dampness on a specific area of the wall, you can make the room more attractive by placing a large picture or photo frame there. This avoids the need to paint the entire wall. You can hang family photos, beautiful paintings, or traditional art according to your taste. During Diwali, colorful photo frames or paintings can give the room a fresh look. Furthermore, if there is dampness in the wall, the frame should be placed slightly away from the wall. It is also important to periodically check the space behind the frame to notice any moisture or mold in time.

Hiding damaged parts of the wall with houseplants

If you enjoy keeping plants at home, you can place houseplants in large pots in front of the damp wall. Plants such as Areca palm, Sansevieria, and Monstera give the room a beautiful appearance. You can also use beautiful pots for them. If desired, you can create a small green corner by placing two or three pots of different shapes together. This will partially hide the damaged area of the wall and add greenery to the room. However, the pots should not be placed flush against the wall; a small space must be left around them for air circulation and to prevent increased humidity.

Giving the wall a new look with wall panels

If you want to make the wall stylish, you can install decorative wall panels on it. PVC panels and other materials are available on the market in various designs and price ranges. You can choose them according to your preferences to give a new look to part of the wall. However, it should be remembered that installing wall panels does not solve the dampness problem. If there is moisture in the wall, the panels can trap mold inside, worsening the problem. Therefore, you must first find out the cause of the dampness and eliminate it before installing the panels.

Decorating the wall with curtains

If you want to decorate the room with minimal cost for Diwali, you can use beautiful curtains or fabric. You can hang a beautiful curtain on a stand in front of the wall or choose fabric that harmonizes with the overall room decor. This can give the room a new and beautiful look. You can choose light-colored or traditionally designed fabric according to your taste. However, fabric should not be hung directly on a wet or moldy wall, as this can lead to odor and moisture in the fabric. The fabric should be placed at some distance from the wall, and there must be a place for ventilation in the room.

Creating a beautiful corner with lighting and decorations

To decorate the room for Diwali, you can create a small decorative corner in front of the wall. For this, place a small table next to the wall and decorate it with decorative lamps, lanterns, a bouquet of flowers, or other beautiful items. You can also add garlands around the table. This will create a Diwali atmosphere in the room, and people's attention will be drawn to the decoration, not the wall. It is important to ensure that electrical lamps and decorative items are not in contact with damp areas.