Boilers, gas and electricity meters and fuse boards often sit in the most awkward places: a kitchen wall, a hallway, under the stairs or in a corner of a bedroom. Building a cupboard around them can make a room look calmer and add useful storage.
But these aren’t ordinary things to hide. They need access, space and, in a boiler’s case, ventilation. This guide explains what a well-planned cupboard needs to do.
Boilers: follow the manufacturer’s instructions
A boiler in a cupboard needs the clearances and ventilation set out in the manufacturer’s instructions. That usually means a minimum space around the boiler on each side, above and below, and in front for servicing. Some installations also need ventilation into the cupboard.
Before a boiler cupboard is designed, find the boiler’s installation manual or check its model details, and ask your Gas Safe registered engineer if you’re not sure. The cupboard is then built to give the space the boiler needs, not the other way round.
Boiler work is for a Gas Safe registered engineer
Any work on a gas boiler, its flue or its pipework must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. That includes moving the boiler, altering the flue or changing pipework to fit a new layout. A carpenter builds the cupboard around what’s there. We don’t touch the boiler, the gas or the flue.
You can check an engineer is registered on the Gas Safe Register website.
Meters must stay accessible
Gas and electricity meters need to be reachable. Meter readers and engineers need access, and in an emergency you need to reach the gas shut-off valve quickly. A cupboard over a meter should have:
- a door that opens fully in front of the meter
- no shelves or fixed items blocking the meter or its valve
- enough space for someone to read and work on it.
In terraced houses, meters are often under the stairs. Our guide to under-stairs storage covers how to plan around them.
Thinking about fitted furniture? We design, make and fit it across London: we visit, measure and talk through the design, then send a written quote. Arrange a design visit.
Fuse boards and consumer units
The fuse board, or consumer unit, needs to stay accessible too. You may need to reset a switch in the dark, and an electrician needs room to work. Keep a clear space in front, make the door easy to open, and don’t pack the cupboard so full that you can’t reach it.
If you want to move the fuse board, add a light in the cupboard or add a socket, that’s work for an electrician. Some electrical work in homes falls under Part P of the Building Regulations. GOV.UK explains when work needs approval: GOV.UK Building Regulations approval.
Designing the cupboard
A good boiler or meter cupboard often does two jobs. It hides the equipment and gives storage around it. Ideas include:
- a kitchen wall unit made to match the rest, with the right clearances round the boiler
- a tall cupboard with the boiler at the top and shelves below, keeping the required space clear
- a hallway cupboard with the meters at the back and a coat rail kept clear of them
- a door with a grille where ventilation is needed.
Moisture-resistant MDF is a sensible choice near boilers and pipework. Keep anything flammable away from the boiler and never store items against it.
Access for servicing
Boilers are serviced and occasionally repaired. The engineer needs to remove the boiler’s cover and reach the controls, pipes and flue. A cupboard with a door that opens wide, or a panel that lifts out, makes this easier. Discuss access with your engineer before the cupboard is designed.
Quick answers
Can I box in my boiler with a cupboard?
Yes, as long as the cupboard gives the clearances and ventilation in the manufacturer’s instructions. Ask a Gas Safe registered engineer if you’re unsure.
Can a carpenter move my boiler to fit the cupboard?
No. Moving a boiler or altering its flue or pipework is work for a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cupboard is built around it.
Do meters need to stay accessible?
Yes. Meter readers and engineers need access, and you need to reach the gas shut-off valve quickly in an emergency.
Can you add a light inside the cupboard?
Lighting and sockets are for an electrician. We can leave space and a route for cables in the design.
Related services
More advice
- Under-Stairs Storage: Ideas and What to Check
- Planning a Bespoke Kitchen in a London Home
- Adding Storage to a New-Build Flat
- What a Fitted Furniture Quote Should Include
- All advice
This guide is general information about fitted furniture. It isn’t legal, planning or building advice; for those, speak to the council, your landlord or managing agent, or a suitably qualified professional.