Joanna Gaines Turns Industrial Pipes Into Upcycled Shelves, And The Result Is Stunning

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Who doesn't love a creative and beautiful DIY inspo from the queen of renovation herself, Joanna Gaines? The Magnolia Network star has shared an upcycling trick that will definitely turn heads if re-created well in the kitchen. If you are a big fan of industrial chic and warehouse-style aesthetics, then you will love this tip, as it brings recycled or excess pipes front and center. In an Instagram post, Gaines showcased a hanging shelf with exposed pipes as structural posts and wooden slabs as shelf panels. "I left this piping unfinished and used thicker lumber and stained it 'provincial' brown," she wrote in the caption.

This wouldn't be the first time Gaines has recommended a stylish kitchen storage solution with a wall- or ceiling-mounted mechanism. She's done something similar on "Fixer Upper" on more than one occasion. The difference now is she's advocating for industrial pipes to be the focal point of the fixture, which is a smart move considering some of us may have excess pipes lying around in the garage after a major bathroom or kitchen renovation. 

Gaines likes the pipes unfinished for a more rugged and gritty vibe. But feel free to paint your metal pipes if you are going for a specific look or style for your kitchen. However, for exposed brass and copper pipes, it's best to simply clean and polish them to achieve a chic, industrial look.

Open shelves are not for everyone, especially since there are things to consider before committing to open shelving, such as how stored items remain unprotected against dust, moisture, and other potential hazards. However, such shelves are undeniably space-savers, and they also give an airy, modern look that makes rooms feel larger and even brighter. Unfortunately, open shelves also lean toward the boring side with their standard flat panels. Joanna Gaines' industrial pipe hack prevents this by adding character to the structural elements of the fixture. The exposed metal elevates the overall style by introducing a different texture from the wood panels.

What's good about this style hack is you can pull this off on your own as a DIY project as long as you have the materials for it, although it might not be beginner-friendly if you don't have experience handling metal pipes and fittings. Deciding on the overall design and how much exposed pipe there should be can also be tricky, especially if you have a specific aesthetic in mind — a strongly industrial look with very prominent pipes, or a stylishly rustic one with minimal piping. 

If you're not sure about going the DIY route, you can opt for ready-made options online, like the Hddfer Industrial Floating Pipe Shelves on Amazon. The set already includes all the parts, fittings, and screws, so all that's left to do is install them.