An outdoor space can be an amazing retreat from the world, but it’s hard to relax when you can see and hear those pesky outdoor pipes. The sound of running water and the sight of browning PVC is not exactly the relaxing oasis you want your garden to be.
Fortunately, there are plenty of solutions that don’t require a lot of money or time. You just need a little creativity and a willingness to explore unconventional ideas.
Keep reading for the best ideas on how to hide PVC pipe outside so you can achieve visual bliss in your yard.
How to hide PVC pipe outside?
1. Build a fence
A fence would be perfect if the plumbing is exposed to the elements. If you live in a climate where it can get cold and windy, pipes could freeze and crack.
Depending on the type of fence you choose, you can even add a color to match your house’s paint color.
- If you don’t want to keep the fence up all year, you can use a decorative fence which can be taken down during the winter
- There are many styles of fences that can be easily folded and stored for the colder months
- Fences are also a great way to add some height to your outdoor space. Taller fences create a more secluded feeling, which is great if you want to keep prying eyes out of your yard. They also provide privacy and can improve the look of your yard.
Typical fence materials include stone, wood or metal and can be pre-made from a hardware store or from your own imagination.
2. Grow some plants
Plants and trellises are a great way to hide pipes, but you may not want to line the entire length of your outdoor water feature. Instead, choose a few specific plants and place them strategically around the pipes.
If you have a small garden, you can grow vines on the wall or fence surrounding the pipes. Plant vines like clematis or morning glory grow quickly so they can quickly cover pipes. Be careful not to let the vines become too invasive and start covering everything else in your yard
You can also plant shrubs and flowers around the pipes to mix them. Some plants, such as hydrangeas (examples of hanging plants) are great for covering empty spots in the yard and look beautiful while doing it.
If you don’t have a big enough garden, you can grow plants in pots – think easy-care rock plants, orpins or feathery pink dianthus
Give your outdoor space a tropical feel by wrapping foliage around exposed pipes. Faux foliage is a low-maintenance way to hide exposed pipes. True foliage is best achieved with creepers and climbers
If your yard has enough space, you can also go a step further and create a forest, with tall trees and dense shrubs surrounding the entire area. This will make the pipes almost disappear from view
There are many different types of vines and plants that grow beautifully in containers, so you don’t have to worry about having enough soil space for them.
Try to avoid ivy, holly and boxwood shrubs, as they tend to grow unruly and could cause problems with your air duct system.
3. A bench or other seating area
If your pipes run horizontally and are close to the ground, a bench is a good way to hide them while providing an additional seating area for your yard. This can be a good option if you have long, straight pipes that are easy to hide.
Build your bank
Building a bench will take some work, but it’s a good long-term investment and a great way to get a functional piece of furniture in your yard. It doesn’t take much effort and you can build one out of almost anything.
You can even use pallets to build a sturdy bench that you can use for many years.
- Whatever type of pallet you get, make sure it’s big enough to support the weight of the person sitting on it
- Be sure to also consider any additional weight that the bench may need to support, such as a heavy bag or bag of groceries.
- Once you’ve chosen your materials, all you have to do is start building! Use whatever tools you have available, such as saws and hammers
- If you want to build a bench with legs, attach the legs to the top before attaching them to the base. This will allow for more stability without having to support both at the same time
- If you’re using a piece of wood less than 6 inches thick, make sure it’s strong enough by attaching extra pieces underneath and over the back of it where there might be places for people to stand.
4. A stone wall
A stone wall is a great way to hide pipes and add style to your yard at the same time. You can either build a straight wall that completely covers the pipes, or you can build a more decorative wall that partially covers the pipes.
If you build a wall that partially covers the pipes, make sure that the area behind the wall is still accessible in case of damage and repairs.
Building a stone wall it might sound difficult, but there are many DIY kits available to guide you through the process. If you don’t have time to build a wall yourself, you can also hire a landscaper or contractor to do the work for you.
These types of materials are easy to install and will last for many years. You can easily find these materials at any home improvement store.
5. Planters and colored rocks
This is one of the more creative ways to hide exterior pipes. This method involves building planter boxes and using them to partially hide the pipes. The planter boxes are easy to build and can be placed on either side of the pipes.
Are also a great way to add some color and beauty in your yard.
- Some of the most durable and evergreen plants include petunias, impatiens, creeping phlox, celosia, marigolds and geraniums.
- To give the planters a pop of color, use colored stones to line the bottom of the boxes.
6. Paint the pipes
Painting pipes is one of the most basic ways to hide them, but it can be just as effective as any other solution. You can use any color you want, so you have lots of options.
One of the main benefits of paint is that it is relatively cheap and easy to find. You can choose from several different types of paint, such as latex, acrylic, oil-based, or even spray paint.
The main disadvantage of this solution is that it requires a lot of maintenance. Paint needs to be refreshed every few years to keep it looking its best.
UV rays from sunlight can fade paint and rust over time, so you’ll need to repaint more often in the summer months.
7. Build boxes around pipes
You can choose any type of material you want, depending on the style of your home.
There are all kinds of decorative pieces of wood and other materials that you can use build a wooden box around the pipes. Plus, they’re great for extra storage.
Potted plants
Then place some decorative potted plants on top of the boxes. As well as looking great in a flower bed, these potted plants will create a beautiful symmetry in the garden, covering your pipes too.
- Agapanthus
- Buddleia ‘Buzz’
- Hosta
- Pittosporum tenuifolium
- Skimmia japonica
- Euonymus
- Have
For this solution to work, you will need a lot of extra space around the pipes. However, it is not as expensive as other solutions and is easy to do yourself with a little carpentry and DIY skills.
8. Use Decorative Covers
Decorative pipe covers are similar to standard pipe covers, but are often more stylish and fit better into your decor.
- Decorative covers are available in all types of materials, including plastic, metal and fabric
- They also come in a variety of styles, including mesh, solid wood, and painted
And don’t worry, they’re not just decorative, they actually work.
The main disadvantage of this solution is the cost. Decorative covers are often more expensive than traditional ones. However, if you care about aesthetics, they can be worth every penny.
9. Make them mix
Blending pipes into your decor is a great way to make them less obvious, but it takes a little more creativity. It can also be a great opportunity to add some character to your outdoor space.
You can achieve this by covering pipes with fake stones or tree trunks.
Tree trunks especially come in many color and style options to match the style of your garden.
- There are some pipe covers that are hollow with solid parts covering the vertical pipes
- Others have holes on both sides that allow water to flow
- You can make this option look more natural by painting the base of the trunk with brown paint and adding moss and leaves to the top
Once you’re done, your PVC pipes will look like a real tree!
Conclusion
Outdoor pipes can be a real nuisance in your yard. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to hide them. If you want to make the pipes less visible, you can use any of these easy solutions.
You just have to be willing to be creative and explore some unconventional ideas. With the right combination of plants and decor, your yard will be a space you love to spend time in.
And you’ll be able to do so while completely forgetting that those pesky outer pipes are even there.