Asked on Dec 01, 2014
How can I disguise a large long round water heater?
by
Gracie
+26
It can't be moved. It's the Spanish idea, and heats all our water.The problem is it sits above our newly installed washbasin and mirror in the corner of the wall, and reaches up to ceiling. I've thoughit of many ideas, the best I've come up with at the moment is to stitch a cover in stripes, and make an air balloon shape, hanging a wicker basket under it, though that will hang in front of part of the mirror. HELP- it's a very small shower room.
Gives u an idea of the size
Showing the bottom of water tank and part of mirror
25 answers
-
How about just a smple curtain held on with magnets?
Theresa J
on Dec 01, 2014
-
Since it sits so high I would consider removing the light fixture above the mirror and building built in storage shelves/ cabinets above the mirror with pot lights over the basin area. The cabinet would be built around the water heater and have double hinged doors for access that's completley closed off. The shelves could hold stylish large baskets with extra linen or other items. It will darken the room if the color of the wood is wood toned or dark. You may consider having the wood tower from ceiling to counter instead with cubbies for decorative items and storage if you can move the basin off center .
La'Treall M
on Dec 02, 2014
-
You could pay to have it moved/upgraded or simply make a wooden slatted hook on frame in the scandinavian sauna style using light wood to cover it.
Caroline Doherty
on Dec 02, 2014
-
If electric I would be tempted to build a slatted cabinet (as Caroline D suggests) round it to disguise rather than hide - if it's gas PLEASE take care not to block any outlet (flue) or you will have carbon monoxide problems (poisoning)!
Susie
on Dec 02, 2014
-
That light has to go. It is too crowded. Then build a cabinet above the mirror and mount under cabinet lighting below.
Melissa Waid-Hillius
on Dec 02, 2014
-
You have to be careful about putting anything on or close to heater. I like idea of moving the light. Maybe get a pull down shade attached to ceiling but 6 in. Away from heater and pull down . Keep it simple that room is small and would look cluttered.
Grangerite
on Dec 02, 2014
-
If you can't move the tank, then how about putting 90 degree elbows on the lines going into the bottom and gaining 6-9 inches of unobstructed view? I agree with Melissa about changing the light fixture too.
Pat Nolan
on Dec 02, 2014
-
How about shutters.Hinge a few small ones together till you get a fit across and attatch ends to wall.
Stephanie Harris Steinhauer
on Dec 02, 2014
-
that seems so auckward for any good cover ups. I think I would invest on having it removed and put in the element in line heater that has no tank.
Elaine Martin
on Dec 02, 2014
-
I spy an electrical outlet on the wall perpendicular to the mirror and a light switch above the outlet - both would make any ideas about shelves, etc. problematic. Sometimes all you can see is what you are focusing on at the moment. I don't see it as a big problem considering the significance of moving it or changing it out. The w/h seems cluttery only because of the decorative tile, and clutter below it on the sink counter. Consider placing a square or rectangular basket/container tall enough to cover the tile in the corner. Use it to hold the glass, a small container for the toothbrush/paste. By breaking up the pattern that is repeated around the corner by the reflection in the mirror, you will break up what your eye sees. Remove the glass holder and switch out the light fixture to something more simple and similar to the w/h base - boxy, opague, white so it melds into the w/h.
Rhonda Davis
on Dec 02, 2014
-
What about using the tank as your light fixture? Get rid of the current fixture and hang led lights with command hooks to make it look like a chandelier.
Letty
on Dec 02, 2014
-
I agree most cover ups would be awkward unless they blend in somehow....... you could try making a cover box using lightweight material like screening and cover that with lightweight mirror tiles...this would at least blend it in with the existing mirror....you could possibly use inexpensive full length mirrors door to make the cover with less seams.
Elisa
on Dec 02, 2014
-
I like the swinging shutters idea to wrap around the heater. You could paint them any color. Get rid of the light fixture and instead use a small chandelier hanging down from the ceiling in front of the now disguised heater.
Gigi In The Forest
on Dec 02, 2014
-
Are you able to move the light fixture to the right so it does not interfere with the water heater? If not, I like Gigi's idea of a small chandelier and a cabinet or shutter to cover the water heater. The tile is beautiful.
Liliana Wells
on Dec 02, 2014
-
Things really different in Spain. It's obviously electric, couldn't be that close to anything if it were gas. Simplest ideas are the best, so here goes. Velcro a simple curtain around the unit letting it hang past the water tubing. Maybe drawstring it at bottom to snug it up. It shouldn't hurt an electric unit. Move the light fixture enough to accommodate it being out of the way if possible. If not take out the bulb next to the water heater and use LED, or floresant bulbs for minimizing heat output. If you can do more extreme measures, could this be put in the attic? That is were my small house house water heater is. Good Luck!
Love tiny spaces!
on Dec 02, 2014
-
Hi Gracie, I would replace the heater and put a horizontal one.. Leroy Merlyn have various horizontal models for under 100 euros. Sell the old one on Things For Sale Facebook. I would put the new one up as high as possible completely out of the way and build a cupboard round it...could try finding something in a car boot sale that may be reformed in some way. Put a few slim shelves below the new boiler and put plants or toiletries to hide the wires etc, Would make the room look more spacious and less cluttered.
Rose Earl
on Dec 02, 2014
-
I painted mine with long gras like leaves bottom up. Then I had a turtle cut out at the base, butterfly cut outs , etc.
Shirley
on Dec 02, 2014
-
Box it in. Light frame maybe even mirrors
Darcy Mac
on Dec 02, 2014
-
well to me that just seems like an odd place or way to put a water heater... i can see why it is such a problem.. The have been quite a few great suggestions... the 90 degree elbows ti help disguise the water lines, The shutters to cover it... or maybe some large paper spanish fans (hand fold out fans).... Otherwise the painting of a picture on it... depending on your taste and what theme you would like to follow... maybe something spanish like an adobe house or streets.. etc Use you imagination... there has to be a way to disguise it.
Buster Evans
on Dec 03, 2014
-
I am wondering at the advisability of putting a WATER heater above an outlet. I would recommend removing it and putting it elsewhere if at all possible for safety reasons.
Kc Nordquist
on Dec 04, 2014
-
Can you put in front of it a large shutter or decorative screen of some kind? or hang a curtain or something?
Daveicrave
on Dec 05, 2014
-
don't disguise it, decorate it. Make it a visual element
Fenya Kashergen
on Jan 12, 2015
-
Like someone already mentioned, I would try painting it green or leafy or flowery, and then hanging some plants around it. There's no way you can hide it, so either incorporate it, or else make something else in the room so startling that it pulls the eye away.
Emily Handler
on Jan 13, 2015
-
I agree, electricity & water DO NOT MIX (or as my husband says - they mix too well). It is a recipe for disaster. You have to remove the water heater & place a new one away from outlets. NEVER put a water heater Above an outlet always below or to the side of one. I would go Tankless - the cost is well worth it. You never run out of hot water and your electric (or gas) bill will be dramatically reduced because you are not heating and reheating water, all day long, that is not being used.
Katphish
on Feb 02, 2015
-
This is very common in Spain. We had a water heater above the shower with the electrical outlet almost in the shower. Landlord said we could move the outlet. I would paint it and use washi tape to make it a piece of art!
Karen Weller
on Jul 31, 2016
Sign Up to Answer
