Interior Decorating? Don’t Forget The Radiator!

Radiators are the undisputed unsung heroes of our interior spaces. We take it for granted that they sit quietly in the background, providing warmth as and when required without much ado, a purely utilitarian accessory in the room. Let’s face it, the radiator only really becomes an issue if

• It is noticeably unattractive and you’re looking for ways to disguise its appearance
• It is old or defective and you’re looking to replace it
• It is in the wrong place and compromises your intended room layout
• You are planning to use a new designer radiator to create a special feature

If you’re planning to redecorate your home, you may want to ask yourself the simple question: should the radiator stay or should it go? If you’re keeping your existing radiators, interior designers have various tricks of the trade up their sleeves to make a radiator blend in with your home décor. Here are their top three tips:

Fit a radiator cover

If there’s nothing functionally wrong with your radiator, but it just looks unsightly or is a bit tired and dated, the easiest way to solve the problem is to camouflage your heating appliance. Radiator covers come in all shapes and sizes and can be bought relatively cheaply off the shelf, flatpacked and ready to assemble. Usually made from MDF, either unfinished or painted white, they come in a variety of sizes and designs, both traditional and contemporary, so you’re bound to find one that fits with your scheme.

For bespoke solutions in timber, integrating radiator covers with fitted bookcases or window seats, a skilled carpenter should be consulted. The result should be a stunning and practical room feature that complements your interiors scheme seamlessly.

Repaint your radiator

Whether you want your old but perfectly serviceable radiator to blend into the background or be a standout feature, do it with colour! Repainting it is an easy and cost effective way to achieve either goal. It’s a fairly simple DIY job that can be done with a brush or spray paint.

If you have basic plumbing skills, it’s a good idea to take the radiator off the wall first, but it’s not a requirement. For the less experienced DIYer, it’s not the end of the world if the wall-facing side of the radiator remains unpainted.

Make sure you prime the radiator first, using a metal primer or specialist radiator primer with anti-corrosive properties, followed by an application of heat resistant radiator paint. Here’s a step by step video to show you how to do it.

Hide it behind furniture

If none of the above is an option but you’re stuck with the unsightly radiator, why not rearrange the layout of the room so that the radiator is hidden behind furniture? Obviously, the furniture item needs to be substantial enough to shield the radiator from view, but that said, you clearly can’t place a wardrobe or bookcase in front as you would be blocking any heat coming from the appliance.

The easiest solution is to position an armchair or a sofa in front of the radiator in question, but place it at an angle so that attention is detracted away from the heating appliance. That way, there’s a visual barrier but without any risk of heat loss affecting the room.

On the other hand, if you’ve decided to replace the offending radiator, you now have the opportunity to choose a new heating appliance that complements your room interiors scheme and the overall style of your home.

Luckily, there’s a wealth of designer radiators available in all sorts of sizes, shapes and styles to give you a visually stunning alternative to the humdrum ‘pressed steel’ radiators of old.

Choose from panel radiators or column radiators, horizontal and vertical models, in an ever increasing range of colours and choice of materials including steel, aluminium and stainless steel. From old-school traditional to out-and-out futuristic, there’s no longer a need to make a ‘safe and boring’ choice.

For kitchens, bathrooms and hallways, why not opt for a multi-purpose solution? From heated towel rails to bench seats and even built-in mirrors, your feature radiator is not only able to provide the wow effect, it can also be a very practical addition to any room in your home.