Heating saves our apartments and cottages on frosty winter days. Therefore, the presence of heating radiators in homes is undoubtedly a plus. But often batteries become a stumbling block when you want to decorate a room beautifully.

The radiators and heating pipes themselves in houses are located either under the windows or along one of the walls, that is, they stand out strongly. These massive elements spoil general form rooms, therefore both designers and ordinary people They often think about how to close the radiator.

The problem with the design of heating radiators is especially relevant in children's rooms and rooms where children often play, and not only for aesthetic reasons, since they can run and hit the radiator.

If modern radiators have an appearance that will easily fit into a room in a high-tech or minimalist style, then the old Soviet cast iron batteries They look quite depressing. Therefore, we need to take care of how to disguise the battery, and in such a way that it does not stop warming us in the cold.

Common methods of disguise

The presence of any problem always leads to its solution, and masking heating radiators in apartments is no exception. Designers and builders have developed several solutions to this problem. Let's look at the most popular of them:

– One of the most common ways to solve the problem of closing a heating radiator is to install a metal screen. These screens are usually mass produced, but are produced for certain types radiators. Their advantage is high heat transfer, durability, absence of the slightest deformation under temperature influences, as well as low price. But the minus probably outweighs all the advantages of this type of disguise, since this one can hardly be called beautiful.

You can solve the issue of the aesthetic component after purchasing such a screen: decorating or painting a metal screen yourself is quite feasible for creative people.

– Another method to disguise a battery indoors is to install a wooden screen. A custom wood craftsman can make such a model, masking a radiator in the house. Ideal option There will be a screen made in style and shape reminiscent of the furniture in the room.

Wooden screen for a radiator in the interior

Most often, lattice screens or mesh screens are made from wood, which cover the battery from view but allow heat to pass through well. Such screens are not cheap, especially if they are made to order, but they look very impressive and are also extra space for sitting or placing certain items: toys, decorative elements, vases, etc. The disadvantage of wooden screens is that under the influence high temperatures they may become deformed. You can create a screen model from wood yourself by first measuring the area of ​​the radiator and its thickness.

– Next option What can be used to cover the battery is a plastic screen. It is relatively cheap, but it is sometimes noted that when exposed to high temperatures, some types of plastic can release toxic substances, so it is better not to risk it and choose another way to hide the radiator.

Decorative plastic screen

– Another common method for covering a radiator is custom-made furniture or built-in furniture. This could be a chest of drawers that hides the heating system, a long bench or a console table that hides. The only thing, when you are planning such furniture with a craftsman, you need to ensure that heat can penetrate into the room. To do this, you can make carved cabinet doors or carved vertical surfaces.

The heating radiator is built into the furniture

As an option, you can consider making decorative fireplace in place of the battery, which will be not only decorative, but also a real warm cozy place - a kind of hearth in the room.

– Now designers are offering new models that are not embarrassing to show to others. It's carved beautiful models, often custom-made, with three-dimensional images or patterns. Of course, this is not a cheap pleasure, but for classical-style rooms these models are irreplaceable.

Decorative screen for the battery in the interior

– Disguising radiators in the bathroom can be done behind a children’s playpen net or clothes dryer (this will also be a rational way). The mesh is attached between two shelf boards above and below the radiator so that it itself remains behind the mesh. Then you can hang washcloths and towels on hooks on the mesh, which will hide the massive radiator.

– One of the most extensive options for masking a battery is a special heating installation system. In this case, the radiators are installed not in front of the wall, but inside it. This will significantly reduce the area of ​​the room and make repairs more difficult. heating system, if necessary, but the batteries will not be visible at all, although the thermal effect will not disappear anywhere.

– Another way to disguise batteries is to dismantle and install them heated floors or certain invisible convectors that can be mounted in window sills, furniture, floors, plinths, etc. This method is considered the most expensive, but is beginning to gain popularity among those who want to have beautiful apartment without sacrificing the warmth in it. The heating battery can be hidden in a bench under the windowsill. This will be the warmest and most comfortable place in the apartment!

The heating battery is built into the window sill

– The simplest way to cover a radiator is with curtains or drapes. Since childhood, many remember how they did not notice long curtains, who carefully hung mothers, radiators and filled a lot of cones.

Heating radiators can be hidden by curtains

This method is still popular today, although it has been somewhat modified. It is now customary to hang thick curtains directly under the windowsill using Velcro or fishing line. In this case, the curtains always hide the battery, and not just in the evening when the thick curtains are drawn. Curtains for masking the radiator are matched to the main curtains or furniture upholstery.

– Another option for solving the problem of how to cover a heating radiator is to install low decorative screens that you can make yourself. If you decorate the screen with photographs, magazine clippings or drawings, it may turn out original art object in the house.

– One of the less traditional ideas on how to decorate a heating radiator is painting it. This method has several options: the battery can “merge” with the wall or can become the object of attention in the room. In the first case, it needs to be painted the same color that is intended for the walls in the room.

The second option is more creative: if the walls are bright, the battery can be painted in pastel colors; if the walls pastel shades, we make the battery contrasting and bright.

An original way would be to paint the radiator in different shades of the same color: from the lightest on top to the darkest on the bottom. Gold and silver paint are also popular, however, in any case, you will have to paint the heating pipes in the same color, and not just the radiator itself.

Original solutions

Disguising radiators opens up scope for creativity for those who like to invent all sorts of useful and beautiful things for the home. Perhaps some of the ones suggested here creative ideas will awaken in you creative personality and a dreamer.

Heating is the most important part of every winter. Thanks to it, we live the cold season in warmth and comfort, which makes having a battery in the room an advantage, but it is cumbersome and not elegant design interfere with planning repairs.

Large and protruding pipes are difficult to imagine in a sophisticated classic style, a modern high-tech direction, as in any other direction.

The usual location for the battery is the wall under the window. Due to its design, the battery stands out strongly in front of the wall. A protruding piece of metal does not add beauty to the room, which led the designers to think about how to beautifully decorate the battery in the interior.

Especially considering that the problem of protruding heating threatens the health of children. Batteries are essential in a child's room. They support desired temperature, which prevents hypothermia and colds in the child’s body.

But what about children's activity and clumsiness? Children are easily hit, burned and cling to protruding parts of the heater.

Modern apartments are released for sale with newer models, they are more reliable and safer, but their appearance is far from ideal. And I don’t want to talk about old houses with huge “monsters” for heating. The hardest part is not hiding the heater, but doing it without losing the basic heating properties.

Popular ways to hide a battery

Every problem has its own solution. And the answer to the question of how to cover radiators has long been found. Interior designers have found many solutions to this problem. The most used include:

Screen

The most popular solution for masking old radiators is a screen. It is most often made of metal. Knowing such parameters as width, height and length of the heater, you can easily select suitable model. Screens are stamped in large quantities and for different parameters.

The advantages of this solution include maintaining the main function - heating the room. The material also has high strength and wear resistance, does not change shape at high temperatures, and is cheaper than other options.

Among the shortcomings is not the best appearance. It looks, of course, much better than a battery without it, but it still won’t fit every interior. You can look at the photo of hidden batteries in more detail. If you have limited finances, you can decorate the screen yourself.

Wood screen

More expensive and nice option- This is a screen made of wood. Find ready-made option It is difficult to fit the parameters, so such things are made to order by professionals and done by hand. The type of wood chosen to match the color of the furniture and the appropriate texture will serve as a stunning example of how to hide a battery.

The pattern is chosen in the form of a sieve or weaving. They perfectly mask the shortcomings of the heating system and have high heat transfer. The cost is much higher than the price for metal screens. But in return you get a detail that perfectly matches the design.

Depending on the desired result, the screen can be created in the form of a high bench, a cabinet, a chest, or simply with additional shelves. The advantage is that it can be manufactured at home.

Plastic screen

A screen made of plastic is a cheaper option than a wooden one. But when purchasing, be sure to ask for quality certificates. And do not buy such an important part of the interior in non-specialized places and unknown brands.

Plastic is not the best reliable material and a product purchased simply based on price may release toxic fumes at high temperatures or even melt on the battery.

More elite option is special built-in furniture that is made to order according to individual measurements and sketches. The easiest way to hide pipes is in a table, closet, chest of drawers, seat, etc. But an important condition is the free circulation of air from the heating site, which will allow both to close the radiator and to heat the room without interference.

If you are an ardent opponent of noticeable pipes or unnecessary elements in the room, then you can wall up the heating system under the walls. There are several options for execution and both are not the simplest.

The first option is to make adjustments at the stage of building the house, which will allow you to install the system behind the wall. If you live in a house or apartment that has already been completely built, you can create a false wall. Just covering everything a short distance from the radiator.

The disadvantages include a reduction in free space and a clear reduction in the room. And also the room will be heated a little worse. Natural difficulties will arise, as well as costs in the event of a breakdown.

For a long time, including now, batteries are masked using heavy curtains from thick fabric. The good idea is that it doesn't require extra costs and investments. And curtains are a natural part of the interior and do not attract much attention.

You can paint or wallpaper the heating pipes. This will help reduce their visibility indoors. But everything must be done efficiently. Paint with smudges or wallpaper hung askew will only attract unnecessary attention and will involuntarily catch the eye.

Unusual ideas for hiding a radiator

You can get rid of all the pipes and replace them with safer underfloor heating. The method has its advantages, first of all you will not depend on heating season, increase free space, the chance that you will be doused with boiling water from your own battery will be zero.

The downsides are electricity prices, the possibility short circuit, fire, etc. increases. And also in the absence of light, in winter you will have to look for another place to spend the night.

Fabric covers for radiators are gaining popularity for children's rooms. Most often they are made by hand. They are created in the form of a favorite character or canvas with a magical story, letters, numbers, etc.

It all depends on the age and hobbies of the baby. This detail will go perfectly with the atmosphere of the children's room and will protect the child from burns and bruises.

Especially original people hire artists. They use a battery instead of a canvas and paint on it with heat-resistant paints, creating unique masterpieces that match the interior of the room. The advantage is the ability to draw a new picture if you suddenly want to change the design of the room.

It may leak and will have to be replaced or repaired. Therefore, it is better to choose designs that are easily removable. It is advisable that they do not have a fixed mount. Covers with a hinged door are suitable, retractable mechanism. At a minimum, valves, pipe connections, thermal head and threaded connections should remain accessible in case of breakdown.

Second important point associated with the amount of heat entering the house. Any box reduces it. Especially if it is deaf, completely closed at the top or has a tight weave. It is better to choose something more open and not place the heater too deep. To do this, you can put a solid screen on the legs and cut a groove in the middle.

Another way to compensate for heat loss is to install a heat-reflecting screen behind the battery. For example, polyethylene foam.

• Before closing, prepare it: wash it, blow it out.
• The distance between the masking structure and the heating device should be 35-50 mm.
• The minimum gap between it and the floor is 60-70 mm.

The preparatory stage consists of cleaning and purging the heating device, as well as collecting tools. List of what you will need for work:

• GKL sheets 12 mm thick.
• Pencil.
• Tape measure, ruler, level, corner.
• Liquid nails, screws, dowels.
• Metal profiles in 2 sizes: 27*28 and 60*27.
• Screwdriver, hammer drill, screwdriver.
• Construction mesh with self-adhesive surface.

You can mask the entire wall or just the part under the window sill. The box is installed in the floor or leaving a gap above and below it. When marking, you need to take into account that the edges of the structure must protrude beyond the battery by at least 10 cm.

• Make markings on the wall.
• Attach the profile to the lines, make marks for the holes in increments of 15-25 cm.
• Drill holes and attach the 27*28 profile, and then the 60*27 jumpers.
• Make markings on the drywall, cut it with a utility knife, and attach it to the frame with self-tapping screws.
• The seams between the sheets are filled with putty and mesh. and paint.
• To reduce heat loss, craftsmen recommend drilling as many holes in the surface as possible.

Another, visual instruction for covering gypsum boards in the video.

Painting

One of simple ways radiator design. Suitable for cast iron and steel panel structures. Modern models Aluminum will be difficult to paint. You will have to apply many layers, and the result will be unattractive. You can make them monochromatic, choosing a shade to match the interior, contrasting, or create a beautiful pattern. In this case, stencils from art stores and decoupage techniques will help.

Water-dispersed, acrylic and alkyd are suitable for work. All of them are resistant to high temperatures. Acrylics dry faster and hardly emit unpleasant odor. Alkyds, on the contrary, are distinguished by caustic fumes. Water-dispersed compositions do not have this drawback, but they are less durable, wear out quickly, and scratches appear on them.

There are hammer paints for metal. They create a heterogeneous texture with a chasing effect. This good option, if you need to hide various defects old surface: chips, cracks.

You need to start painting with preparatory stage:

• Clean the surface from dirt. Dust settled inside is washed off with a brush and a spray bottle.
• Remove previously applied paint. This is done with a washing solution, a drill with a brush attachment, or a hair dryer - it melts the layer and can be removed with a spatula.
• Buy two small brushes: straight and curved for the inside of the heating device or foam roller for panel radiator.
• Almost does not reduce heat transfer.
• It can be changed frequently depending on your mood or new renovation.
• There is quick access to heating in case of an emergency.

The last plus - lightweight fabric does not look as bulky as drywall, metal, wood, MDF. The only negative is that this design is not suitable for apartments in a minimalist, high-tech or classic style.

Excellent interior design can be seriously compromised by the appearance of radiators. After all, most of them are not at all aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, apartment owners often have a question: how to cover it. There are many methods of camouflage. But before choosing one of them, you should carefully analyze how feasible such a decision is. After all, any errors in the installation of the structure can seriously reduce heat transfer.

Decor for radiators

Before you start going over best options To close, consider the alternative proposals presented by the designers:

1. Using curtains. An ordinary curtain made of cotton fabric. But this method can only be used if the battery is located in a niche. Blinds can be an excellent alternative to curtains.
2. Painting. A radiator can become a real highlight of the interior. Of course, the painting method can only be used for modern aluminum products. Old cast iron ones, even if painted, will stand out against the general background. You can design the radiators in one color scheme that matches the overall tone of the design. The drawings look great. If you don't have artistic talent, it doesn't matter. You can always use stencils.
3. Decoupage. This method will not require you to make major investments. All you need is PVA plus glue beautiful napkins. After cutting out the original elements from the selected material, cover the surface of the radiator. A special one is applied on top of the decor in several layers.

If decorating radiators is not possible, then consider how to cover radiators. The photos posted in the article will allow you to get acquainted with some of the options offered by specialists.

Important Terms

When thinking about how to cover radiators, you need to consider several points:

1. The air flow should circulate freely. This will ensure uniform heating of the room and protect windows from fogging.
2. All adjustment parts must remain accessible for sudden repair work. To do this, you can create a removable structure or provide in places threaded connections windows.

Hinged screen

This is the simplest method. When planning how to close the radiator in a room, you can experiment with a hanging screen or use a regular grille. Such structures are most often made of metal.

This battery masking tool has a number of advantages:

1. A hanging screen or grille does not interfere with heat transfer at all. Air currents can circulate freely.
2. The design is easy to install. The screen just needs to be hung on the battery.
3. The grilles are completely safe, because their corners are usually rounded.

But, unfortunately, the hanging screen is not without its drawbacks. The most important disadvantage of such camouflage is the lack of aesthetics. In other words, the appearance of the screen is far from the concept of “beauty”. To remedy the situation, you can paint and paint the structure.

Glass screens

This is an excellent solution for those owners who are interested in how to beautifully close radiators. Fireproof thick glass will become original version For modern interior. Such a screen is often decorated with stained glass patterns or photo printing.

Installing the structure is completely easy. It is secured using special screw holders that provide elastic gaskets for protection. glass surface. To fix the screen, it is enough to make just a couple of holes in the wall.

Glass screens can be purchased at design workshops. But the disadvantage of such camouflage is the high cost of the material.

Wooden frame

How to cover radiators? Look great wooden frames. They can become a harmonious addition to any interior. They will fit especially organically into a room furnished wooden furniture. The ideal solution there will be a frame that matches the headset in texture, shape and color. In this case, it will be one piece with all the furniture.

Masking a battery out of wood has a significant advantage. Such a frame, depending on the design, can become an excellent rack, shelf, table, or stand for various utensils. If it is small in size, it can be equipped with an additional seat, such as a bench. In addition, using all your imagination, you can create a completely unique frame for the radiator.

However wooden structures are not without their downsides. Exposure to high temperatures can have a detrimental effect on the shape of the frame. Wood can become deformed.

Built in furniture

This is very original solution. Heating radiators can be disguised with furniture. A chest of drawers or a small closet would look great. Such furniture is often made to order. But if you have at least basic woodworking skills, you can easily complete this design yourself.

In this case, you can use any other material. It can be plasterboard, MDF, laminate, chipboard or plywood.

Many owners are happy to use plastic to make the frame. It's simple cheap material, which can fit perfectly into the interior. But when planning plastic structures, it is necessary to take into account the following disadvantage of the material. When heated, some species are capable of releasing quite toxic fumes into the air.

How to cover radiators and pipes with plasterboard

But the most popular coating remains plasterboard. Installation of such material is simple and not labor-intensive. Drywall is affordable and does not cause any special problems in purchasing. But at the same time, it opens up wide opportunities for implementing the most daring design solutions.

So, let's look at how to cover a heating radiator with plasterboard. Designers offer some great ideas:

1. Continuation of the window sill or false wall. But remember that for free air circulation it is necessary to provide several small windows. When choosing drywall for such purposes, be sure to choose a heat-resistant material. It should be noted that most varieties can withstand fairly high temperatures. The design is completely easy to complete. Initially, it is necessary to install metal guides. The drywall itself is attached to them. Be sure to provide windows into which original grilles are inserted.
2. Making a fireplace. The appearance of the room will greatly benefit from such a piece of furniture. A false fireplace will fill the room with an extraordinary homely atmosphere and give it coziness. Moreover, the design can be made in any style.

Conclusion

When you are faced with the acute question of what to do with standard heating radiators and disguise boring batteries, be sure to analyze several solutions. Consider what options designers offer. And only then choose the method you like best. Your batteries may benefit greatly from original painting? Or, by creating a frame made of plasterboard, you can create a wonderful shelf for your favorite trinkets.

No matter how modern the batteries are, they rarely fit perfectly into the interior, which is not good appearance apartments. Let's figure out how you can decorate or hide the battery to improve the situation.

Hide behind the screen

The easiest way is to hide the battery behind special screen, which can be made from different materials(wood, metal, plastic and even glass) and is made in different styles. Glass screens can be decorated with photo printing, which will further integrate the battery with the interior of the room. The main condition is that the surface of the screen must be completely perforated or at least have large holes on the top, bottom and sides, allowing warm air circulate freely.

The screen covers only the battery itself or the niche with the battery completely, which is typical for old houses; it's possible do it yourself by purchasing from hardware store any grill or panel with holes of suitable size.

Photos: grishaenkova.ru, pricedv.ru, jacekpartyka.com, home-designing.com, bertibarbera.com, furnirior.com, pinterest.com, ofdesign.net