How to hide a gas water heater in the kitchen: the best methods of disguise + safety requirements

For many users, a geyser is the best way to continuously supply hot water all year round at any time of the day. But often it becomes an obstacle to creating a stylish and harmonious interior in the kitchen.

Don’t know how to place a bulky unit without spoiling the appearance of the walls, without compromising the convenience and safety of the household? Then we suggest studying our material, which discusses aspects of this issue in detail.

We will tell you how to hide a gas water heater in the kitchen and show photos with the best ideas. We also remind you of the generally accepted safety rules that must be followed when installing and moving the device.

Rules for safe installation of a geyser

When a large-scale redevelopment is planned, a radical relocation or installation of a gas heater in an apartment for the first time, it is impossible to do without obtaining the appropriate permits from the gas services. The complexity of the coordination is determined by the distance of “moving” and the location chosen for mounting the speaker.

A transfer project is drawn up if the device is moved more than 1.5 meters from the previous installation area.On average, it takes up to several months to obtain official permission. We also recommend that you pay attention to the rules gas pipe transfer.

Since a geyser is a potentially dangerous device and requires extremely careful handling in everyday life, let’s talk in more detail about the general rules and requirements regarding installation.

Almost any manipulation with the device requires approval from regulatory authorities. There is no need to coordinate your actions only in two cases: if the unit has already been installed, remains in the same place, or is replaced by a similar one

Requirements for the installation site

The placement of the appliance in the kitchen is limited by rigid boundaries. It is strictly forbidden to install the unit above a sink, refrigerator, or gas stove. The minimum distance between them is 1 meter.

Access to the gas water heater should be as free as possible. This will ensure quality service and the ability to inspect the device if necessary.

In addition, the device should not be mounted too low or high. It is advisable that the burner be at eye level or at least within sight.

For residents of small apartments, where the kitchen area does not exceed 6 m², an exception is provided: they can hang the column above the sink

Recommended height:

• from the floor to the bottom surface of the device – 0.8-1.2 m;
• from the top surface to the ceiling - from 0.3 m;
• from the side panel to the wall - at least 0.15 m;
• from the front panel to the opposite wall – from 1 m.

It is better not to decorate the walls near the speaker with wallpaper and plastic panels. The surface on which installation is to be carried out must be covered with non-flammable materials.The same rule applies to all panels used to disguise the device.

Requirements for the premises

A gas water heater is installed in houses with a height of no more than 11 floors. Gas workers insist on installation within the kitchen area, but if a number of additional requirements are met, installation in the bathroom is now possible.

But in a studio kitchen that combines two rooms in an apartment with redevelopment, it will not be allowed to install a column. According to the law, the space in which a gas water heater is installed cannot be part of a living room.

Many people neglect this rule, explaining their decision by the fact that no one sleeps in the living room. However, from a security point of view this is considered a serious violation.

In the room where the heater operates, you should not overdo it with waterproofing and insulation of windows. If the apartment has plastic window structures, they must have a micro-ventilation function

Basic requirements for the room in which the speaker will be installed:

• the presence of a high-quality, unclogged ventilation system with natural air flow;
• diameter of the ventilation hole circumference – not less than 0.12 m;
• sufficient area - 6.5-8 m², but specific parameters depend on the type of burner;
• ceiling height – not less than 2 m.

To obtain permission to install or change the position of a gas heater, it is necessary to prepare a certified report on the condition of the chimney, a technical certificate of the device itself. You will also need an installation project and a document confirming the ownership of the property.

We spoke in more detail about the standards and requirements for installing a geyser in our other article.

Compliance with the requirements for the room and installation location of the speaker will significantly increase the level of safety of family members. However, in order to provide for all risks and completely eliminate the likelihood of emergency situations, it is worth installing a gas leak detector in the room

Installation gas pipes, installation, connection and first start-up of the device must be carried out exclusively by professionals. After all work is completed, gas service employees issue a commissioning certificate.

Ideas for masking a gas water heater

When looking for solutions on how to effectively disguise a geyser, you need to adapt to the restrictions and requirements specified above. Aesthetics should not compromise safety issues. In addition, inspectors will reject the incorrect location and issue a fine for this at the first inspection.

We suggest considering the best methods of camouflage, taking into account all the installation nuances set out in SNiP.

Method #1 - painting the color of the walls or headset

Inexpensive to implement, stylish and the easiest way to integrate a speaker into the interior is to choose a suitable model or paint an existing unit to match the tone of the walls, furniture, and individual interior elements. Visually merging with the background of the kitchen, the device will become almost invisible regardless of location.

To decorate the column, you need to purchase chalk paint, heat-resistant enamel or an acrylic spray can of a suitable shade. Before painting, it is necessary to dismantle the removable panels of the device, sand them and coat them with a primer, and then dry them thoroughly.

Design solutions embodied in black or white colors look very original: a black speaker on a black wall, a white water heater on a white surface. So the set seems like one whole

Among the effective design techniques are solutions based on color contrast. For example, the walls, countertop and sink in the kitchen are white, and the column, kitchen furniture and refrigerator are black, contrasting with other details

The case should be painted in the color of the wall, apron, facade or any color accents in the room. You need to try not to overuse too bright colors, take into account the theme and overall color scheme of the kitchen. Otherwise, the design will not blend organically with the interior.

Method #2 - closing with a kitchen set or panel

When choosing the best methods of disguise, many are interested in whether it is possible to put a household gas water heater in a closet. It would seem that this is the most convenient and aesthetic option. But it hides many pitfalls.

In this case, in order not to violate safety regulations, additional measures must be taken.

Alternatively, you can cover the column with a perforated facade. Through the holes in such a headset, sufficient ventilation is ensured, creating proper draft. The device is clearly visible, which makes it easier to control the process of its functioning.

To install a geyser, you should use a wall kitchen cabinet without bottom, back and top walls.

If you doubt whether it is possible to cover a household gas water heater with a solid kitchen facade, we will help dispel your doubts.Thus, it is impossible to cover a unit with an open combustion chamber with a continuous façade: combustion in it is supported by natural ventilation, which is prohibited from being blocked. Only side and front panels are allowed. The niche should be significantly larger than the water heater.

Some design projects use very interesting, non-standard ways to disguise gas water heaters in the kitchen. For example, in one of the projects the unit was covered with a slate board for writing, leaving space for ventilation at the top, bottom and sides

According to fire safety regulations, the panels in the cabinet must be made of fire-resistant materials that are especially resistant to fire. It is important that the front door opens quickly and easily.

Instead of an opening door, you can install blinds or roller blinds. The recommended distance between the side walls of the cabinet and the panels of the device is 0.15 m.

Covering a gas water heater with a kitchen cabinet with a solid facade is possible only if the device is equipped with a closed combustion chamber. However, in order to avoid problems in the future, it is better to coordinate such an installation project with the local gas service in advance.

Method #3 - installation between cabinets

An alternative option for installing in a closet is to place the speaker between the pieces of furniture. This method of disguise is quite practical and does not require additional costs.

The option is optimal if for some reason it is not possible to integrate the device into the headset. For example, the height did not fit or it was not possible to select the façade of the required width.

The column between the cabinets will be less noticeable if the color of the unit body matches the color of the facade. The main thing is to ensure a safe distance between furniture doors and appliance panels

With this placement method, you can leave the column open or close it with a door made of materials identical to the facade. This door is attached to the cabinets adjacent to the unit. For normal ventilation, additional holes are made in it.

Method #4 - placing the device in a corner

Disguising a speaker is possible not only by playing with color or integrating it into a headset. Sometimes it’s enough to simply choose a good location. For example, move a gas water heater into a corner.

Moving the speaker to a corner is the optimal solution for owners of Khrushchev-era apartment buildings and modest-sized premises. With this arrangement, the device is visible only from certain angles, especially if the model does not stand out much against the background of furniture and walls

There are several variations in the angular placement of the column. Firstly, you can close it with a special corner cabinet, following the same rules as when installing a regular box.

Secondly, you can turn the device upside down. At the same time, it will practically not be noticeable.

Method #5 - moving the unit to the corridor

It happens that the kitchen area is so small that there is a catastrophic lack of space not only for household appliances, but also for ordinary kitchen utensils. In this case, you should think about moving the gas water heater into the corridor.

This radical manipulation is quite troublesome and is possible only after agreement with the gas service.

In this case, the corridor should:

• be tall – ceiling height of at least 2.25 m;
• have sufficient width – the distance between the front panel of the speaker housing and the opposite wall is at least 1 m;
• have a ventilation duct – hole diameter is at least 0.125 m.

In some cases, you can obtain permission to move the speaker into the bathroom if it meets regulated safety standards. Gas workers may have complaints about the small area and the lack of an opening window in the room, but these nuances are often turned a blind eye.

Method #6 - decorating/purchasing a designer model

Perhaps the simplest and least labor-intensive way to integrate into the interior is to decorate a geyser. This is more likely not a disguise, but a harmonious addition to the overall design. The procedure will not require permission from regulatory authorities and will not be difficult to implement for creative people.

When designing a speaker, it is worth using a variety of decorative elements: decorate the unit with magnets brought from travel, family photographs printed on magnetic vinyl

The following can be used as decoration for a geyser:

• artistic painting;
• painting;
• decoupage;
• vinyl stickers;
• drawings and ornaments made using stencils.

With successful decor, the speaker will become a full-fledged, stylish piece of furniture. The main thing is to have good taste and use your imagination. For example, if you paint the device with slate paint, you can write menus, draw, or leave messages on it.

When decorating a speaker, it is important to choose the appropriate style and harmonious combination of colors that would match the tone of the furniture, walls and interior items in the kitchen

An even simpler, but more expensive option is to purchase designer models that do not require “camouflage.” Such speakers are ordered to match the style of the kitchen, choosing the required body color, decor and even the shape of the product.

Typically, design techniques are performed in high-tech and modern styles. It involves installation in a prominent place, since in itself it is worthy of being the central element of the interior.

Are you thinking about buying a speaker with the right body color? Then we advise you to read selection criteriaso that your purchase does not disappoint you.

Stylistic design of a room with a column

Those who are planning to carry out a large-scale upgrade of their kitchen design and implement a certain interior style in the room should think in advance about how a gas water heater will look in the new conditions.

We recommend paying attention to the following stylistic options:

1. Provence. Ideal for small kitchens. It implies a combination of white facades with a column of the same color. Allows the presence of still lifes and floral arrangements, which may be present as a pattern on the front of the column.
2. Loft. The general style idea is the open placement of a gas heater and communication pipes. To make the device fit better into the loft style, you should remake the case for a high-tech device.
3. Country. Involves the use of a delicate color palette. The color of the speaker body does not matter in this case, since it is covered with a cabinet with a blue, peach or white facade.

Rustic, industrial, Mediterranean, and rustic styles are also suitable for rooms with geysers.

In most popular styles, the water heater is not hidden, but is positioned as an authentic attribute, a full-fledged interior decoration. If designed correctly, this option for placing a column looks especially impressive.

To achieve greater compliance with the overall design idea, the geyser is often decorated with additional thematic elements.

Ways to disguise communications

In addition to the gas heater itself, masking also requires many communications connected to the device. We are talking about the chimney, water and gas pipes, hoses and other structures necessary for the operation of the device. As a rule, they do not look very aesthetically pleasing.

It is better to decide on methods of masking communications at the stage of ordering furniture or planning renovations. The simplest and most cost-effective option is paint the pipes to match the walls. You can also cover the hoses with special masking panels, which are usually supplied with the column.

If such panels are not included in the kit, they are made independently using drywall. But you need to take into account that the box should not be solid, easily removable, and have an inspection hatch.

Due to many restrictions and requirements, many leave the main pipe from the column open. To make it less noticeable, experts recommend installing the device near the chimney. Gas pipes can be covered with a removable apron

In apartments where the gas line is installed along the kitchen apron, the pipes are hidden using a railing system. This is a metal structure designed for attaching shelves or hooks for kitchen accessories.

Another original option for masking communication pipes is decorating with bamboo panels. We looked at more ideas for masking a gas pipe in the kitchen in the article: How to hide a gas pipe in the kitchen: methods of disguise and rules for constructing a box.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Useful tips for disguising a gas water heater in the kitchen:

One idea on how to hide a column and pipes in the kitchen:

Instructions for masking pipes on a kitchen apron:

Striving for visual perfection when decorating the interior, do not forget about safety. This is a key point that you need to focus on when choosing the appropriate option for disguising the speaker in the kitchen.

Use only legal methods, follow generally accepted installation rules and be sure to coordinate the details with gas services. If in doubt, consult with a specialist who will tell you how best to hide the device specifically in your case.

Would you like to share your method of disguising a gas water heater? Or supplement the material presented above with interesting ideas that we did not mention? Add original photos, write recommendations, participate in discussions - the feedback form is located below.