Decorating
Decorating: 10 Stylish Ways to Incorporate Radiators
Don’t let clumsy radiators ruin your decorating scheme with these clever ways to hide your heaters
As the winter snap starts to bite, our central heating systems become our trusty saviours in the fight against the big freeze. But in decorating terms, we have more of a love-hate relationship with our radiators: we adore them for keeping us warm, but loathe them for looking so cumbersome (and taking up precious wall space). In an ideal world, we’d all have snug, invisible underfloor heating in every room, but if this is not the reality for you, cast your eye over these 10 clever ways to hide (or at least incorporate) a rad into every room. I guarantee you’ll warm to your radiators in no time at all.
Keep to a simple scheme
Blink and you might miss the pair of low-level radiators tucked neatly under the windows in this heavenly, all-white kitchen. With a room this simple (and serene), there really is no need for fancy radiator covers or grilles, as the all-over ‘whiteness’ merges into a single, sophisticated look.
Browse a range of cool, contemporary white kitchens
Blink and you might miss the pair of low-level radiators tucked neatly under the windows in this heavenly, all-white kitchen. With a room this simple (and serene), there really is no need for fancy radiator covers or grilles, as the all-over ‘whiteness’ merges into a single, sophisticated look.
Browse a range of cool, contemporary white kitchens
Cover up with a console
Slim console tables are a boon in the hallway, not just for creating a shelf for keys and post, but for covering up a boring radiator. If you can’t find the right size of console in the shops, why not get one specially made to fit your space? This simple design with a sturdy marble top ticks all the right boxes and fits in beautifully with the classic monochrome décor.
Check out easy ways to pep up a tired hallway
Slim console tables are a boon in the hallway, not just for creating a shelf for keys and post, but for covering up a boring radiator. If you can’t find the right size of console in the shops, why not get one specially made to fit your space? This simple design with a sturdy marble top ticks all the right boxes and fits in beautifully with the classic monochrome décor.
Check out easy ways to pep up a tired hallway
Work into a shelving unit
If you want to maximise wall space with bespoke shelving or a library-style bookcase, it’s likely you’ll need to work around existing fixtures. But that’s absolutely fine, because look how skilfully these radiators have been incorporated into the rows of books, creating a neat and unobtrusive finish.
If you want to maximise wall space with bespoke shelving or a library-style bookcase, it’s likely you’ll need to work around existing fixtures. But that’s absolutely fine, because look how skilfully these radiators have been incorporated into the rows of books, creating a neat and unobtrusive finish.
Box it off
Tailormade covers are a tried-and-tested way of hiding an unsightly radiator in modern and traditional homes alike. These slim boxes are constructed from mdf or wood veneer with decorative grilles or fretwork fronts to add a touch of interest. This one also offers the perfect perch for a piece of sculpture.
Tailormade covers are a tried-and-tested way of hiding an unsightly radiator in modern and traditional homes alike. These slim boxes are constructed from mdf or wood veneer with decorative grilles or fretwork fronts to add a touch of interest. This one also offers the perfect perch for a piece of sculpture.
Exploit flat planes
Super-flat, panel radiators become almost invisible when mounted on a surface in the same colour. There are no ridges or undulations to cast any shadows here, so the radiator effectively becomes part of the wall.
Super-flat, panel radiators become almost invisible when mounted on a surface in the same colour. There are no ridges or undulations to cast any shadows here, so the radiator effectively becomes part of the wall.
Overhaul with paint
This is a great idea to steal. A plain, run-of-the-mill radiator becomes part of the decorating scheme with a lick of subtle candy-pink paint and it now blends in seamlessly with the pastel patchwork shelving feature that takes over one wall. (Do make sure the paint is suitable for use on radiators, though.)
This is a great idea to steal. A plain, run-of-the-mill radiator becomes part of the decorating scheme with a lick of subtle candy-pink paint and it now blends in seamlessly with the pastel patchwork shelving feature that takes over one wall. (Do make sure the paint is suitable for use on radiators, though.)
Dabble with colour
This is not so much hiding a radiator as ensuring it becomes an integral part of the bright, zingy décor. The cheeky touch of fluoro yellow warms the blue, white and grey scheme. Who said radiators simply serve a function?
This is not so much hiding a radiator as ensuring it becomes an integral part of the bright, zingy décor. The cheeky touch of fluoro yellow warms the blue, white and grey scheme. Who said radiators simply serve a function?
Fit into a window seat
A built-in window seat is a canny design route for hiding a long run of radiators. Make sure yours has an upholstered top for an extra comfortable seat, with a hinged, lift-up access point to the heater in case of any maintenance and service issues.
A built-in window seat is a canny design route for hiding a long run of radiators. Make sure yours has an upholstered top for an extra comfortable seat, with a hinged, lift-up access point to the heater in case of any maintenance and service issues.
Hide your heater
For a much slicker alternative to a radiator box, why not cover up your heaters amid a long run of built-in cupboards? Because, let’s face it, a standalone radiator would ruin the sleek lines and clutter-free look of this boutique-style bedroom. You will need to call in an expert for such a scheme who can advise on all the necessary fire and safety regs.
TELL US…
Have you disguised your radiators? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
For a much slicker alternative to a radiator box, why not cover up your heaters amid a long run of built-in cupboards? Because, let’s face it, a standalone radiator would ruin the sleek lines and clutter-free look of this boutique-style bedroom. You will need to call in an expert for such a scheme who can advise on all the necessary fire and safety regs.
TELL US…
Have you disguised your radiators? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
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Disguise a radiator by painting it in the same colour as the brickwork or plaster behind. This long, tubular radiator has been finished in the same charcoal colourway as the raw bricks to make it meld seamlessly into the background.