Have you ever considered updating a room with a radiator cover?
I’ve spoken about our ensuite bathroom before and how I was desperate to give it a makeover.
Although it’s a nice sized room — with a lovely, old cast iron, roll-top bath — it was fairly bland; and uninspiring, to say the least.
It certainly wouldn’t be winning any prizes for the most attractive bathroom award, that’s for sure.
The base of the bath looked like it hadn’t been painted for years (and probably hadn’t, to be fair) and the sad old carpet has seen better days too.
As ever, time and money (or lack of it) have got in the way and the bathroom has remained untouched — and pretty low-down on the ‘to-do’ list.
I was in the bath a few weeks ago, thinking how lovely it would be to have a shelf at hand — to have candles and somewhere to put the shampoo — but due to the fact there is a radiator running alongside the bath, it didn’t seem very feasible.
Lying there in the bubbles, mulling over what we could do to improve it, I had a little brain- wave and decided a radiator cover would be the perfect solution!
I looked online for how to make a radiator cover; but as there are plenty of radiator cover kits to buy, this seemed like the easiest/quickest solution.
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Updating a Room with a Radiator Cover
We popped to our local Homebase, where they’ve got a fab selection of stylish radiator covers.
They’re available in all kinds of sizes and styles plus various finishes too, including wooden, pre-painted or unfinished MDF.
We decided on a Richmond radiator cover and bought a couple of tins of eggshell paint too; one for the cover and another to paint the base of the bath.
The cabinet was really simple to put together — no power tools required — it comes in flatpack form and you just need to screw all of the bits together.
Radiator Cover Decorating Ideas
Even in its unfinished state, it made the room look a million times better.
But once the radiator cover had been painted — and the base of the bath also given a fresh coat of paint — it looked like a different room!
The addition of the radiator cabinet has literally transformed the space; no longer old fashioned and sad looking, it’s given it a really smart finish plus we’ve now got a place for candles and other items.
And painting the base of the bath has literally given it a new lease of life.
Funnily enough, I chose a shade called Calamine by Farrow and Ball which is incredibly similar to Pantone’s ‘colour of the year’ for 2016.
These two little changes have made such a difference to the look and feel of the ensuite.
Adding a radiator cabinet is a fairly inexpensive way to really smarten up a room. To be honest, unless it’s a lovely traditional design — or a cutting edge, modern style radiator — they’re not particularly attractive are they?!
By installing cabinets, to cover them up, not only do you streamline your space but you also get a little extra shelving, which is a huge bonus.
I am thrilled with it! I’m thinking of adding some panelling to the wall next.
Watch this space.
There are so many decorative radiator covers available. Whether you’re looking for a more traditional style or modern radiator covers; you’ll be sure to find one to suit your decor.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
This looks so clean and pretty, you did such a good job :)
N x
Thanks so much Nancy! :)
That radiator cover is a great idea, really improves the bathroom no end! (and that bath is the business too!). You’ve given me an idea of getting a cover for the ugly radiator in our hallway- hopping over to homebase to check out their covers now to see if there’s one in the right size! x
Thanks chick :) So pleased with it — amazing what a little bit of MDF and paint can do to transform a room :)
I love radiator covers and agree completely that they can totally transform a room. They enable you to display your pretty things and cover up something ugly – win win! Your ensuite looks very elegant now, what a lovely spot for a good soak! Happy new year!! #TwinklyTuesday
Aah happy new year to you too lovely! I’m SO pleased with this little makeover. It was a really cheap and simple solution and it’s make the world of difference :)
Such a wonderful makeover! It’s funny how often inspiration strikes when in the bath, well it does for me anyway. You’ve done a lovely job, the choice of Calamine for the bath is just perfect. You can given me an idea too, as all the radiators in my flat are in funny positions, wasting space where I could put furniture – at least with a radiator cover I could use the shelf. Homebase here I come! #HomeEtc
I am totally in love with the Calamine paint! I’d like it on the walls in my bedroom but I can’t think that my boy would be too happy to be sleeping in a girly pink boudoir!!
Looks fab, I would love a roll top freestanding bath like that, its amazing. xx
Aah thanks lovely :)
You are a genius! Not only is it a lovely change to the bathroom but you’ve just solved my hallway problem. We need a shelf but don’t have the space or wall location for it but a radiator cover would be perfect and like you, we have a mirror that it could sit below which always makes for a nice feel. Thanks, Caro!!
They’re a fab solution aren’t they? Especially for little spaces — in a hallway they almost work like a console table. The depth of the shelf is pretty substantial — and they look SO much better than a boring old radiator!
I love the colour you have painted your bath tub, so pretty and the radiator cover has made such a huge difference to the room. A lovely little makeover. xx
Thanks so much lovely :) I’m so chuffed with it :)
I love it! its my dream to own a roll top bath. I find a nice hot soak is the perfect place for inspiration. #homeect
It was mine too, funnily enough, for a long time! So happy to have it — it’s lovely to have a soak in :) Even nicer now the room looks a bit more presentable too!!
Who knew it would make so much difference?! I just love this linky so much because there are such brilliant ideas with so don’t need to break the bank. This looks gorgeous and a proper tranquil haven to relax away from it all Xx
Amazing isn’t it? Such a cheap, easy way to transform a space. It looked SO rubbish before can’t believe what a difference a little bit of MDF and paint has made!! :)
Amazing how something so simple can make such a difference, I love the pink on the bath, very pretty x
It’s amazing isn’t it? Those radiator covers are blooming marvellous! Super-cheap and they make a room look fabulous!