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!

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

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.

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.

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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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...!

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!

Good luck in your new home. It looks like a lovely, light place.

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.

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)

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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A shallow worktop and few stools? It looks pretty high to conceal the kitchen units...

alternatively paint it a very dark blue or similar

Depends on how your furniture layout will be. Do you have a floor plan with dimensions on it? And do you have furniture already?

You can place a sofa , bench next to this wall or TV with stand.

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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?

Some kind of

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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

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.

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.

Decor Books Thanks so much. What a great range!

Holloways Well spotted! Does that mean it needs to be replumbed in?

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

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

Thanks all for your amazing responses!

Ruby! Post a pic please what you ended up with?