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How to Make Peace With Your Radiator
Turn a bulky, unattractive old heater into an appealing part of a room
Living in an older building comes with its blessings and its curses. While I love the intricate wood paneling and clever hidden shelving in my 1920s apartment, I can't stand the big, bulky radiators that plague every room. There's something quaint and charming about steam heating, but radiators always seem to be in the most awkward spaces, taking up an unnecessary amount of room.
For those of you suffering from the same conundrum, there are a few ways to hide your radiator, or turn it into an asset:
For those of you suffering from the same conundrum, there are a few ways to hide your radiator, or turn it into an asset:
- Paint it
- Hide it
- Use it
- Decorate it
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Paint it. Before you try to cover up your radiator, try embracing it first. If you do something creative, you won't have to hide it. This amazing ombre radiator was done by Wary Meyers Decorative Arts in Brooklyn, New York.
The ombre technique can be accomplished with a few bottles of spray paint and a careful eye. Try using a specialized, high-heat spray paint. Rustoleum and Krylon both offer a huge range of great colors.
The ombre technique can be accomplished with a few bottles of spray paint and a careful eye. Try using a specialized, high-heat spray paint. Rustoleum and Krylon both offer a huge range of great colors.
If bold and colorful isn't your style, you can always try to paint your radiator to blend with the rest of your home's decor. This radiator was painted in the same gray that accents the trim and stairs in the entryway. At first glance, the radiator is hardly noticeable.
If you decide to use something other than a high-heat spray paint for your radiator, look into an oil-based paint. Since latex is water-based, it's more likely to peel and crack from the heat.
If you decide to use something other than a high-heat spray paint for your radiator, look into an oil-based paint. Since latex is water-based, it's more likely to peel and crack from the heat.
by Ninainvorm
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If you really want your radiator to blend with your decor, paint it the color of your wall. This white radiator is barely visible, and the display shelf above automatically draws the eye away from it.
If your radiator is bare metal, apply a coat of bare-metal primer before painting. Make sure it's completely clean before you start painting, and if there's already paint on it, give it a light sanding.
If your radiator is bare metal, apply a coat of bare-metal primer before painting. Make sure it's completely clean before you start painting, and if there's already paint on it, give it a light sanding.
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Hide it. A basic radiator cover is a simple way to hide an unsightly radiator and transform it into a functional piece of furniture. These setups can be purchased online, but they're also relatively easy and inexpensive to make.
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A radiator cover is essentially just a 3-sided box. Create openings to radiate the heat out of the cover. If you are worried about losing heat because of the cover, slip a sheet of metal behind the radiator to reflect heat out into the room.
| A cover for a long and low radiator under a window can easily double as a window seat. Add a cushion and pillows for a warm and cozy space. |
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| In this room, the designer found a low bench that fit perfectly over the radiator under the window. This is easier than creating a new, built-in bench. Just make sure that the front of the bench is open so the heat can radiate out of the space. Another option for radiators near windows is to use long curtains that cover the space where the radiator is. Make sure you pull back the curtains when the radiator is on, or install the curtains so that they extend several inches away from the radiator. |
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Use it. The top of a radiator can be the perfect place for a built-in shelf. When a piece of wood or stone is placed on top, a bulky radiator becomes a handy side table or bookshelf. If you're using wood, be aware that it might warp, particularly if you place it directly on the radiator. You can also install a wall shelf just a few inches above the radiator — try using an IKEA LACK shelf or something similar. Alternatively, you can find a piece of wood you love and install it with wall brackets.
by Kasey Buick
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If you're worried about using wood, a slab of stone, marble or brick will work perfectly for a radiator shelf since they won't warp. The white marble on top of the radiator in this bathroom makes for a beautiful and spontaneous side table.
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Decorate it. When your radiator isn't being used in warmer weather, try working it into a vintage-styled vignette. The antique-looking phone, frame and clock really work with the look of the old radiator.
Do you have a great design for your radiator? Please show us in the Comments below!
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Do you have a great design for your radiator? Please show us in the Comments below!
More:
Iron It Out! Storage Solutions for the Ironing Board
Fireplaces, Hold the Fire
Comments
jannie In my little 1949 brick house, I have fin-style convection radiators with covers that aren't too unappealing, once they were thoroughly cleaned and painted. I had inexpensive tempered glass tops made for all of them. The ones in front of the windows are home to the happiest plants I've ever had.
19 months ago · Like
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ds design studio Great ideas on concealing or making these radiators a feature!
19 months ago · Like
Dwellings We moved into a house that was built in 1810 outside of freezing Boston when I was 16, and the radiator boiling next to my bed was the only thing that used to get me up for whatever ungodly hour high school started. I miss the immediate heat and even the rattling of it, as well as placing my outfit for the day on top of it to warm it up and make me get out of bed.
19 months ago · Like
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soos Great ideas! i have 8 radiators scattered in most corners, thank you for the tips, i can now turn them into something nice.
19 months ago · Like
Libby Wilkie at aneyefordetail Marble works very well: we had it on several radiators in our 1923 house. And now we have forced hot air...and I long for those radiators! So much less drying!
19 months ago · Like
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Craig Paterson second last is really nice. and thanks for the info related to the designer and picture, its helps to explore the other interior decoration designs.
10 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Oct. 28, 2011.
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