How to hide the kitchen chimney pipe? (Top Five Methods)

The modern kitchen has vents that remove the smoke and vapors that arise from cooking. These vents exhaust the air through a pipe. In many homes, you can see this pipe exposed and it may ruin the entire kitchen decor. So, how can you conceal this exposed kitchen chimney pipe?

There are many decor ideas and methods to hide the kitchen chimney pipe. If you have such an exposed vent pipe, this article will help you to hide it effectively and get a good-looking kitchen. 

How to hide the kitchen chimney pipe?

You can hide a kitchen chimney pipe or vent pipe in the following methods:

• Painting the pipe with suitable color
• Concealing the pipe with a décor wallpaper
• Installing a false cabinet over the pipe
• Installing a Soffit or Column
• Routing the pipe through the ceiling or wall

Painting the Pipe with Suitable Color (Budget Friendly)

Sometimes simple solutions will solve the problem and you don’t have to spend more time or money on it. Painting the chimney pipe is one such solution which is very easy and effective too. This will hide the pipe in plain sight. 

All you have to do is just choose the right type of paint and a color that matches your wall paint. If you know how to paint, then you can skip the labor charges too. 

Things to consider

• Check the material of the chimney pipe. If it is metal, then you have to choose a paint that is compliant with metal surfaces. Similarly, you have to decide the type of paint according to the pipe material.
• It is better to have heat-resistant paint because the chimney pipe will be slightly hot and this should not damage the paint sooner than you expect it to last.
• Match the color carefully. Physically check the paint color with the wall color before buying the paint.

Procedure

• Measure the surface area of the pipe and calculate the amount of paint you will need. The thumb rule is that one gallon of paint is sufficient to cover 400 square feet area with a single coat. Usually, you will need two coats. Therefore, buy the paint accordingly.
• After you have bought the paint, prepare the area around the chimney pipe. This includes covering the area surrounding it with newspapers to avoid paint spills. 
• If the pipe is made out of metal, you can use sandpaper to slightly rub the existing surface and make it rough for the paint to stick on it effectively.
• Now using a painter’s brush give it a single coat and let it dry for some time. Then give it a second coat and let it dry completely.

Concealing the Pipe with Decor Wallpaper (Budget Friendly)

This is another cost-effective way and an easy one when compared to other methods. Even paint can take some toll on you but sticking décor wallpaper is a stress-free method. 

You can simply choose a wallpaper that suits your kitchen wall or any design that will help conceal the chimney pipe as well as be attractive enough. 

Things to consider

• This method is particularly suitable for pipes that extend throughout the length of the kitchen to connect with the outer side.
• There are no restrictions in choosing the design of the wallpaper. Rather you can choose something you like and something that hides the vent pipe effectively.
• You might have to stick the wallpaper on the wall behind the pipe to conceal the pipe better.

Procedure

• Calculate the surface area of the vent pipe and the area of the wall behind it. Because you have to stick the wallpaper on both the pipe and the wall to have better concealment.
• Then, prepare the pipe and the wall area. You have to draw guidelines on the wall behind the pipe for cutting the wallpaper appropriately.
• Try to clean the wall and the pipe using alcohol and a sponge to remove any dust and debris. 
• Now cut the wallpaper according to the guidelines, peel it, and stick it on to the pipe and wall. 
• When sticking it on the wall, try to cover it from the top. 

Installing a False Cabinet over the pipe (Professional)

If you want to have professional concealment of the kitchen chimney pipe, then having a false cabinet over the pipe is a great choice. 

It can serve two purposes. The cabinet conceals the vent pipe and it provides some space for you to keep things just like a normal cabinet. 

Things to consider

• This method is efficient for a small area. If you have a tight budget you may have to reconsider doing this. Especially if the pipe is lengthy, you may have to spend more to install the cabinets throughout the length of the pipe.
• You have to choose cabinets that match the décor of the existing kitchen cabinets to blend them in.
• Fixing the cabinet might require some expertise and you may have to hire some professionals for doing the job perfectly.

Procedure

• Measure the length of the pipe you are going to hide.
• You can either buy the cabinets or make them using a carpenter.
• Fix the cabinet over the pipe 
• You have to fix the door for the cabinet to cover it up.

Installing a Soffit or Column (Professional)

This is another professional method that hides the pipe completely. Soffits are quite affordable than installing a cabinet and it helps to give a cleaner look to the kitchen. 

You can easily match the kitchen décor without disturbing the existing style. The soffit just sits like a box around the pipe and this will easily match the wall surrounding the pipe without any difference.

Things to consider

• You have to match the material and design of the wall behind the pipe. You can use hardwood or drywall material for the soffit.
• You should cover the soffit on three sides like a box and if you have a considerable length to conceal, check out your budget too. 

Procedure

• Measure the length of the pipe and the total area to conceal.
• Now buy appropriate soffit material like hardwood, drywall, or PVC. 
• Cut the soffit into appropriate lengths so that you can cover the pipe as small boxes.
• Now, stick the soffit appropriately. If you have any issues with the installation, you can hire professionals to install it in a perfect manner.

Routing the Pipe Through the Ceiling or Wall (Professional)

This method can be tedious and time-consuming. You will need to hire professionals to conceal the pipe without any odd-looking damage to your ceiling or wall.

In this method, you will be hiding the pipe under the wall it runs along or into the ceiling it connects to. 

Things to consider

• You can go for this method if you have only a small portion of the pipe that is exposed.
• You might need professionals to perform the concealment in a proper manner without disturbing other things.
• You have to remove the pipe completely and then reinstall it through the ceiling or wall.

Procedure

• The best way to do this is to hire an expert and carefully plan the hiding of the vent pipe without damaging any part of the ceiling or wall.
• If you are doing it on your own, first you have to remove the existing piping from the vent hood.
• Then, cut through the ceiling or wall appropriately according to the diameter of the pipe. 
• Insert the pipe into the slot or hole cut through the ceiling and fix the pipe onto the vent hood properly.

These are the various methods you try to hide your kitchen chimney pipe effectively. These methods will not affect the existing décor and they will also conceal the pipe by blending with the kitchen style.

Read our other posts:

• Does Kitchen Sink Need Air Vent?
• Does Kitchen Sink Drain to Sewer Line?

Conclusion

Before installing the vent hood and pipe, you can plan the concealment of the pipe. This will help you to avoid extra expenses or excess time spent on it. But if you had missed it out and want your kitchen to look more appealing, then this guideline will help you figure a way out. 

With these methods, you can properly disguise the kitchen chimney vent and hide it effectively. We have also mentioned budget-friendly options and professional options too.