How To Safely Cover An Old Radiator

By Madison White on June 8, 2020

Old radiators are an eyesore that you can’t really get rid of. Unfortunately, you have to keep them around if you want your house to stay warm over the colder winter months. Luckily, there are a variety of options when it comes to beautifying your radiator or just making it a little less noticeable. From covering it up completely to just placing more eye-catching things around it, there is so much to be done.

Cover with a table

One of the most difficult things about having an old radiator is that it takes up crucial wall space. It can seem like there is hardly anything to be done about an old piece of white metal that is affixed to your wall. This is simply not the case. One thing to try is putting a table over your radiator to hide it. This could be a thin table that could go in your entryway or hallway. One of these would be great for setting things on and organizing objects as you go in and out of the house. Additionally, you could nudge your dining table up against the radiator wall to stop it from showing. This could be great for small kitchens and small households who are looking to maximize space and aesthetics.

Make into a shelving unit

If your radiator is situated on a wall, you may still not be sure what to do with it. One thing to try is adding shelving units either above or around the radiator. A shelf right about the radiator can make it look more like a small side table and draw the eye to the objects on the shelf rather than to the radiator itself. Additionally, you could add shelves above and around it to conceal that it is taking up wall space. People are much more likely to notice your shelves full of cute objects and pictures rather than your chunky radiator hiding at the bottom.

Building a bit of shelving may require some handiwork, but hanging some simple shelves only requires a few tools and supplies. On the other hand, building an entire shelving unit may take a bit more skill.

Buy a pre-made cover

One thing that many people opt to do is buy a pre-made radiator cover. Radiator covers are great for lots of different things that include style and safety. Lots of people choose them so that small children or animals will not get burned by an active radiator. Additionally, many pre-made covers come in a variety of styles. You’re sure to find one that will suit your living space. Before you buy a pre-made cover, make sure that you are buying the correct size for your radiator. You’ll need to measure just to be sure. Similarly, make sure that you are buying a cover that suits your needs. For example, a metal cover will help put off the same amount of heat while a wood cover will absorb some of the heat.

Build your own custom cover

If you still aren’t satisfied with any of the pre-made designs, you can build one yourself! Building a radiator cover should be relatively easy as you’ll be making a sort of box design. If you are crafty and handy with tools, it could be a fun project to learn some new skills as well as save some money. As always, make sure that you are measuring correctly and giving enough space for your radiator. You do not want the cover to be touching the radiator. You should also be mindful of the materials you are using and how hot they will get and how flammable they are. Many people choose a type of metal or wood depending on their style and needs for their design. You definitely do not want to choose something that will only make your radiator problems worse!

Keep safety in mind

Luckily, having a radiator cover at all usually ensures that your radiator will be safer than before. It minimizes the risk of bumping into it and burning yourself by accident. Whenever you are choosing a cover, make sure that you are using proper materials that aren’t touching your radiator. Do not throw fabrics over your radiator unless they are specifically made to do so. These could potentially catch fire if they are not the right fabric.

Conclusion

Covering up an old and dreary looking radiator is a great idea both in terms of style and in terms of safety. By keeping these things in mind, you can choose lots of different options to suit your personal preferences, amount of space, and function of the space that the radiator is in. Get creative and reap the rewards of having a wonderful space without the eyesore of a clunky old radiator.

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