Small wall & awkward radiator!

6 years ago

Hello there, completely new to Houzz (but love it so far!) so I'm sorry if this is a common question!
We're about to move into a teeny flat, completely blank slate so need lots of design ideas. Most of all, we have a lot of books and some really awkward walls! I've attached a couple of pictures, if anyone has ideas as to how best to install shelves for books I would be very grateful. I have been thinking about modular shelves, but I'm not sure how best to navigate corners and radiators. It's a really small space, so I'm keen to be as canny as possible, and not shrink the room too much. Thanks a lot for any help.

Featured Answer

PRO

Decor Books

6 years ago

only options i can think of would be a false panel of books for the radiator if the shelving were floor to ceiling. But still if you cover the radiator you will lose heat from it. attached is a project or an entire wall of false books. books simply cut down.

other option is to replace the radiator with a feature vertical one

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Comments (35)

PRO
Decor Books
6 years ago
modular light colour wall mounted shelves ceilng to radiator, with a radiator cover. cant really cover the radiator so it limits your choices
Ruby
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi - thanks so much for your reply. Yes, I had been considering modular shelving and radiator covers. The issue I think I have is that I want to use as much of the space as possible, and not to have the wall seem ...mismatched and/ or overbearing.

Is there a way of using all the free wall space without it looking odd?

Thanks!
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A B
6 years ago
Can't quite tell from the photos. But if you are meant to have a sofa in front of that wall, how about having a bespoke wall of bookshelves (that fits around the radiator) then having the sofa just in front of it. If you paint the wall and radiator the same dark colour it should blend into the background
turquoisetree53
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
How solid are the walls ? If stong enough, I would just use those flexible metal racks for big brackets, so can choise any depths you want, and whether you go for cheap white planks or classier woiden. if you have lots of books they are covered anyway. Books are the nicest and classiest of decoration - and provide great insulation. paint the radiator the colour of the wall if it keeps screaming at you, as they can.
PRO
Decor Books
6 years ago
last comment great idea, if you need anymore books, www.decorbooks.co.uk tailor colours and style books to go with all rooms ar very reasonable price
chief_brody
6 years ago
If budget allows, look at https://www.vitsoe.com/gb. They have semi-wall mount options that will clear the radiator giving you plenty of wall space. I've used them for nearly two decades and as it's modular you can built and expand as needed.
PRO
User
6 years ago
I personally feel that due to the number and weight of books, and, having had experience of fitting many, many shelves in my time, that a purpose built unit will be safest. The walls in new purpose built homes and apartments are invariably stud walls and not brick ( although that's possible ). If it's brick, then you can pretty much put up whatever you like, However, if stud wall, then i'd build a proper frame from wood and then put in a 'Jali Panel' of your choice as the radiator cover. This will ensure that the shelves cannot rip from the wall under the weight of the books. The floating shelves and modular shelves are great in design, but for practicality and longevity that don't get many out of 10 in my book. Great for ornaments and nick nacks but not so much for books.

Jali Panels
Carolina
6 years ago
Have you considered changing the radiator to a vertical one? That will free up the wall and you'll have a better looking radiator too.

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Burchdaume
6 years ago
Ruby, Kriptonite have a shelving system called K1, which is very flexible and allows for repositioning its also good value and you can always add to it when you need - we recently used it for walk in wardrobe where budget was tight (below). You could switch out the radiator for a smarter flat panel radiator which would look much better...and cost very little....seems like a lovely room...!
chief_brody
6 years ago
I disagree that modular is not practical or has longevity - but quite the opposite. I have moved house 4 times and have taken the shelving with me. This saves the outlay of installing shelves again as built-in systems are rarely reusable. It depends how forward thinking you are, but Vitsoe have been manufacturing for over 50 years, so if you consider the long term view of owning furniture, the upfront cost is saved for the life of the product. Used by plenty of Architects worldwide. For an awkward space it shouldn't be overlooked in my opinion.
Ruby
Original Author
6 years ago
Oh my goodness, thank you all so much for your replies and excellent suggestions.
I like the idea of investing in shelving that can move with us, but I wonder how practical that would be if we're tailoring it to a specific wall (as the wall itself won't be able to move).

The sturdy metal brackets and/ or built ins are a great idea, and I hadn't thought about being able to change the radiator for a different shape/design - thanks for all the great ideas!

Man About The House - The DIY & Odd Job Handyman - do you know how I can tell whether it's a stud or a brick wall? Do you think something like this would be a good choice?

http://www.shelfbar.co.uk/bookcase-floating-shelves/bookcase-shelves-200mm-depth/bookcase-1510mm-x-200mm/bookcase-1510mm-x-200mm-x-22mm.html?options=cart

Burchdaume - thank you! I really like the light, and I want to make each corner really work. I will definitely look into Kriptonite K1 shelving. Thanks!

All the best, and thanks again for your ideas and enthusiasm - I love this site!
Carolina
6 years ago
Good luck in your new home. It looks like a lovely, light place.
Elaine Wells
6 years ago
Hi I had the same problem with my radiator so I moved it and made it a feature. It now a talking point when people come and visit.
Ruby
Original Author
6 years ago
Elaine that radiator is extraordinary (if I'm right in thinking it's the wonderfully knotted piece on the wall!).

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm definitely going to look into investing in an aesthetically pleasing radiator option.
Elaine Wells
6 years ago
Hi Ruby
Thank you it is a radiator - you would obviously want one that would work with your book shelves.
Also if you do decide to change the radiator when you see them in a show room they are not fitted therefor it may stick out slightly more.

Good luck
PRO
Roger Mears Architects
6 years ago
Agree on the purpose built shelving, but definitely would replace the radiator with a design flat one

(like https://www.heatandplumb.com/acatalog/supplies4heat-s4fara504011-faraday-type-11-radiator?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Shopping&gclid=CP3u1tO429QCFa637QoduDEElQ)
Ruby
Original Author
6 years ago
I love all of these suggestions, thank you!

What do you think should happen on this low partition wall? Can't quite bear to leave it blank!
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Roger Mears Architects
6 years ago
A shallow worktop and few stools? It looks pretty high to conceal the kitchen units...

alternatively paint it a very dark blue or similar
Carolina
6 years ago
Depends on how your furniture layout will be. Do you have a floor plan with dimensions on it? And do you have furniture already?
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6 years ago
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You can place a sofa , bench next to this wall or TV with stand.
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
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I wonder what is behind this wall? Is it possible to make peninsula with bar high stools ? Is it possible to make it lower with counter top for seating area?
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A B
6 years ago
Is it where the TV is meant to go?? A breakfast bar would be amazing but would it leave you any space for a sofa?! Do you have a floor plan? Also can you post a few more photos? It looks like an incredible space
Joanna Biddolph
6 years ago
Are you sure that the radiator can't be moved easily (or a new one put in in a more convenient place on that wall)? It might well be on a stud wall (knock it in several places and if it sounds hollow, it's likely to be stud; I say several places as if you knock against one of the upright supports it won't sound hollow; if it sounds solid in several places, it's probably not stud). As for what to do with that low partition wall, a friend has one in her flat and she's had ... a bookcase made to go in front of it. That could help you. It doesn't have to cover the whole width, so it could be clear of the radiator, and as it also has a shelf on the top that's an extra surface. Of course, if you can move the radiator, you could cover the width with a bookcase.
Joanna Biddolph
6 years ago
Decor Books That's a wonderful radiator cover. Where is it from? Others in this stream have said that radiator covers reduce the heat in a room but I've heard others say it doesn't - the issue is that it takes longer to heat up a room. On that basis, I'm tempted to cover a radiator in my sitting room as even if I paint it it's intrusive and I could really do with the shelf above it to add interest below pictures.
PRO
Decor Books
6 years ago
https://www.radiatorcabinetsuk.co.uk/modern-radiator-cabinets/?product_order=popularity&ab=1-3

Its the above link, they do a lot of modern covers, better than the typical traditional . i suppose it depends on how well your home heats up at the moment.
Joanna Biddolph
6 years ago
Decor Books Thanks so much. What a great range!
PRO
Holloways
6 years ago
I can't seem to see the rest of the comments, so sorry if this has already been mentioned. The thermostatic rad valve on the RHS of the rad should be at the bottom of the rad. As it will cut out prematurely,from the heat from the rad. You may find that when it's colder the rad won't get as hot as it should.
Joanna Biddolph
6 years ago
Holloways Well spotted! Does that mean it needs to be replumbed in?
PRO
Holloways
6 years ago
It's difficult to tell from the pic why they have done this, but it's definitely wrong and should be changed. You could change it to a standard on/off valve which the temperature would be determined by that of the boiler when on. However i would re-plumb and fitted low level.
Ruby
Original Author
6 years ago
I am very sorry for my absence! I was away for work for a couple of days - thank you all so much for your input.

Can I ask Holloways what this means for me and the radiator? Because this is a new build, we haven't had any say in the structure and/ or installations but if there's an issue we'd love to fix it. Thank you for flagging this up, it's so good of you to notice and comment!

All the best.

Ruby
Ruby
Original Author
6 years ago
Having just had a quick look at the radiator, it now seems ridiculous that I didn't see it before. Thank you again for pointing it out, I think you've saved us months of cold confusion!

Ruby
Ruby
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks all for your amazing responses!
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
Ruby! Post a pic please what you ended up with?