6 Tips for Building Furniture out of Pipe

Pipe furniture is becoming more and more popular due to its versatility as a DIY material and the unique aesthetic it can bring to your furniture. With only your imagination limiting your design, you can create many different decor pieces and fixtures using pipes.

However, you’ll need to know a thing or two before you dive in. To help you kickstart your DIY journey, here are some tips to get you started on your next pipe project. 

1. Plan Your Design

Before you begin your project, you’ll want to have a clear vision of what you want your design to be. There are plenty of resources online for you to get inspiration for your pipe furniture, like Pinterest or other DIY blogs and websites. Simply search the term “pipe furniture” and you’ll be greeted with a ton of designs for reference (and maybe even some handy tutorials)!

2. Get to Know the Different Pipes and Fittings

There are many different types of pipes and fittings you can use for your DIY project. You’ll want to get to know each of them and what their purposes are. This will help you decide which ones you need to get for your specific furniture design. We have a handy guide to fittings that can help you determine what different types of fittings can be used for. 

View the guide here >>

3. Get the Right Pipe Diameters

Pipes and fittings also have different diameters. Larger diameters can support more weight, but bigger pipes have a bulkier appearance. On the flip side, smaller diameters have a more slender, delicate look, but might not be appropriate for all projects. Do some research to figure out which pipe diameter would work best for your furniture, then be sure that all of your pipes and fittings are the same diameter so they’ll fit together.

4. Choose Your Finish

Pipes come in a few different finishes. While planning your project, you’ll need to decide which one best achieves the aesthetic you’re aiming for. For example, our standard black steel pipes have that trademark industrial look, while our Noir line is actually true matte black in color. 

Galvanized pipes and fittings have a shiny, silvery finish that’s bright and clean, while brass is warm and rosy in color. You can also mix and match different finishes for a fun pop of color that makes a statement. 

5. Cleaning and Sealing

When you buy new black steel pipes, you’ll notice that they’re coated in a light industrial oil. This is to prevent rusting during transit. The pipes should be cleaned before you can use them for your DIY furniture. 

Luckily, it’s easy to clean the oil off these pipes. You can use regular degreasing dish soap and washcloths to clean them. Simply wash them with warm water and dish soap until the grease is removed. Wipe each clean and dry it with a clean washcloth afterwards and you’re done.

After cleaning, you’ll want to seal the pipes to prevent rust. You can do this by coating the pipe with polyurethane finishing spray or finishing wax. We offer an all-in-one clean and seal kit that makes this process easy as pie. 

Get the kit >>

6. Paint Your Pipes

PIPE DECOR® sells pipes and fittings in a variety of different finishes like black, galvanized, matte black, and bronze. Not enough options for you? That’s where paint comes in! Just buy black steel pipes and give them a fresh coat of paint after they’ve been thoroughly cleaned. Not only will you end up with a completely custom result, but the paint will also protect the pipe from rusting over time!


Pipes are really great to work with when it comes to building DIY furniture. You not only get a unique industrial look; you also get guaranteed durability due to the real, authentic steel. We hope these tips can help you create the pipe furniture of your dreams!