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Painted Beauties
Aimee Herring/Living in a Nutshell
Make your radiator part of the room’s decor by painting it a coordinated color. “Spice it up with a gradated ombre pattern,” suggests stylist Janet Lee, of LivinginaNutshell.com, “or highlight it with a hot color that contrasts with your wall.”
Always in Style
A built-in radiator cover fronted with grates fits seamlessly into traditional interiors and offers a prominent resting spot for houseplants or other displays.
A Grand Entrance
The functionality of a foyer radiator does not have to dash your dreams of an elegant entryway. A built-in bench like this one offers a stylish perch to slip on shoes and prepare for the day ahead.
A Modern Twist
Radiator covers can be made to match any decorating scheme from classic to contemporary, as the clean-lined, honey-tone wood design in this urban kids’ room attests.
Kitchen Camouflage
White slats and a butcher-block top help a radiator below the window in this airy kitchen blend into its surroundings.
Related: I’m Dreaming of a White… Kitchen: 10 Bright Beauties to Behold
A Simple Solution
Positioning a delicately detailed table directly above a radiator creates a charming vanity area with ample natural light.
Related: 5 DIY Ways to Organize Your Bedroom
Bookcase Basics
The overall plan for a wall of bookshelves cleverly incorporated two covered radiators—a smart solution for this well-appointed living room.
Related: Build Up Your Home Library: 10 Inspiring Reads with a DIY Point of View
Simplicity Itself
A small marble slab secured to the wall above a bathroom radiator becomes an ideal spot to rest a scented candle, a bottle of bubble bath, or even a warmed towel.
Related: 17 Tiny Bathrooms We Love
Best Seat in the House
To create a cozy reading nook, enclose a low radiator in front of a window with a banquette and top it off with an upholstered cushion.
Mix and Match
Grates for radiator covers come in myriad patterns, so choose one that underscores the overall look of a room, as the radiator grilles in this whimsical living room do.
Related: What’s the Best Color for Living Rooms? The Experts Weigh In
A Unified Look
In this sunny home office, white-washed radiators were topped with the same warm wood surface as the desk area, drawers, and file cabinets around the room.
Related: Create a Home Office That Works for You: 10 Expert Tips
For More…
For more inventive ideas for home decor, check out:
Get Organized: 25 Clever Ideas for Repurposed Storage
Believe It or Not: 9 Incredible Faux Finishes You Can Do Yourself