Some of my dear readers may be less than excited about having their radiator be a focal point in their home.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, consider yourself lucky!  Radiators are those awful things that look like someone forgot to bury the pipes out of plain view!  If you’re a native of California, you probably won’t have to deal with the joys of an ugly radiator, unless you purchase a really old home.  The most common reasons for radiators are because they are quiet, comfortable, and there isn’t much air movement compared to a forced hot-air system that is usually experienced with ductwork.  Radiators are much more common in places like Europe or even places in the United States that experience longer heating seasons than cooling seasons.

With help of a professional, you can certainly replace old radiators with much more appealing flat-panel styles.  However, not everyone has the means to just replace obscene looking radiators, especially if that person is poor from heating their cold house all year long!  I am interior designer, NOT a radiator expert, so if you’re looking for replacement advice, call someone who cares.  Instead, I will offer some attractive options.  You’re welcome in advance!

If you’re kind of funky and eclectic in your taste, think about having your radiator powder-coated a funky color.  This is only a good option if you have bad taste, as you’d just be drawing extreme attention to something that already screams UGLY.  But whatever, it’s still an option.  But seriously, you can paint your radiator the same color as the wall, helping it blend better than if it were a different color.  If you’re feeling a bit edgy, you can paint a cool design  on your radiator and even have it extend onto your walls.  If you force it to be your focal point, it creates interest instead of trying desperately to hide it and have it still exist.

If you are a little more classy and would like to blend your radiator in with your surroundings, think about covering it with a functional radiator cover that doubles as a piece of furniture.  If you are brave, you can try to tackle this on your own.    The most important thing to keep in mind when searching for the perfect radiator cover is its function.  As previously stated, radiators can produce an exorbitant amount of heat, so using the proper materials is extremely important.  I recommend purchasing a cover over a do-it-yourself project, as the cost will probably even out once you spend the time and money for all of the necessary components.  You will also probably see a return in the form of energy savings, as most covers are designed to direct heat outward into the room, instead of sporadically in all directions, so you can probably use it less and benefit more.  How cool would that be?

Kiln-dried solid hardwood is your best bet when looking for radiator covers.  If you intend to build one, then be ware of something lame and cheap like MDF (medium density fiberboard) or plywood, as you’re playing with fire!  The purpose of kiln-dried wood is to take as much stress out of wood as possible.  Most wood, even at a lumber yard, still contains quite a bit of moisture.  If the wood dries too quickly or has heat applied to the exterior (like in the case of your ghetto radiator), then there are various stress points within that wood, and it would only be a matter of time until your cover warps to hell.  In addition to using the proper wood, polyurethane glue and proper joinery techniques should also be put to good use.  Your cover should also have proper insulation (reflective), as this will ensure that your kiln-dried hardwood stays cool when in use.

Once all of these precautions are taken into consideration, your cover is safe for pillows, plants (yes, even fake ones!), accessories-you name it!  If your radiator is next to a window, you should also be able to safely hang curtains (to the floor if desired) next to your unit as long as heat is directed out into the room and not sideways into your curtains.  If you are feeling a little sassy, try creating a focal point with your new cover, as it will be a beautiful piece of new furniture.  Turn it into a window seat  or hang artwork above it to make it feel like it was built to be a part of the space, and I guarantee most people won’t know that there’s an ugly radiator hiding under there!

Here are a few companies that will help you battle your hot mess in style:

Wolf Radiator Enclosures

Wooden Radiator Cabinet Co.

Richmond Radiator Covers