What to do with radiators ruining your interior, Home heating covers style, Property heat advice

What to do with radiators ruining your interior

12 August 2025

What to do with radiators that are ruining your interior?

Unless you’re enjoying the luxury that is underfloor heating, it’s a given that every room in your home has a radiator. Unfortunately, most of these fixtures are not the nicest to look at (particularly in older properties) and can disrupt the overall aesthetic. So, what are your options if you have an unsightly radiator?

Replacing

Just because your current radiator is an eyesore, that doesn’t mean all of them are. Modern radiators are available in all shapes and colours, acting not only as a practical fixture but also a stylish design element.

For instance, a vertical radiator in a cross-over shape or a horizontal one in hex shapes add a decorative element to the space. You can now also find radiators in sleek bronze and steel metals, matt black and grey shades or show-stopping hues like orange and red.

The main downside, however, is the costs, including the high price-point of these designer radiators and the labour to replace them.

Radiator covers

Radiator covers provide a more budget-friendly yet sophisticated way to hide unattractive units. These are made out of metal (typically steel), in order to continue conducting heat properly. Using strong magnets, they can be simply attached to the existing radiators, making them super easy to install too.

What’s more, radiator covers from Sentimo come in a selection of styles and colours to match your decor seamlessly, as well as features for added functionality. The cabinet style cover, for instance, becomes a practical shelf that can be used for holding items, while other models feature integrated fans to distribute heat faster.

Painting

If you don’t mind the look of your radiator but it’s the rust and chips that bother you, giving it a fresh coat of paint could be your preferred solution. You have two main options here: blend or feature.

The former involves painting the radiator the same colour as the wall, helping it disappear and create a seamless look. This doesn’t have to be white – if your wall is sage green, you can paint your radiator sage green too.

The bolder approach is to feature, which means painting it a unique, contrasting colour. This turns your radiator into an intentional design element, rather than trying to hide it. A feature radiator can look stylish and add a pop of colour to your interior.

Remember to always use heat-resistant metal paint, specially designed for radiators. This will ensure the right finish and long-term durability.

Furniture placement

In some cases, a radiator can be hidden simply by rearranging your furniture slightly. This could be a console table, a bookshelf, the sofa, or any other large item placed in front of the radiator. Even something smaller, like a leafy plant or a chic armchair, could block it well enough that it no longer ruins your interior.

While it may not be ideal, this is by far the easiest and fastest method that requires no costs or DIY skills. However, if you decide to cover your radiators with furniture, don’t forget to leave enough room between them for proper airflow.

The choice is yours

There is no reason to let an ugly radiator ruin your home’s style! Even if you do not have the budget to buy a replacement or a cover, there are ways to transform it with just a bit of creative thinking.

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