One point that we are often keen for customers to understand is that traditional radiators are so much more than just a way to heat your home. Radiators might be an afterthought for many people, or something that needs to be hidden or concealed. But when you choose a classic design like an antique-style radiator, you can afford to make this the centre of attention.
Making your radiators the focal point of the room can also help to make them more efficient. If they’re taking a central spot in the room, they’re more likely to enjoy a prominent location with plenty of air flow. This will help to ensure the radiant heat from the radiator is able to spread evenly throughout the room.
If you’re in the middle of a home renovation and ready to upgrade your home heating system, here are just some of the reasons we think they can and should be the focal point of your decor.
One of the biggest challenges of decorating a period home is attempting to respect the decorating choices of the era, while still making sure your home is practical and efficient. Cast iron radiators are an icon of the Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian eras, so you can decorate with confidence knowing that your design choices are a nod to the times.
Having radiators instead of a coal burning fire was a point of pride for homeowners during this time, so they wanted their cast iron radiators to be seen. This is why they often contrast with the wall behind them, rather than choosing similar shades to conceal your antique style radiators.
Ornate cast iron radiators are a stunning piece of furniture and the perfect focal point for a room. Highly ornate designs are made to be seen, which is why we recommend choosing a satin paint finish or the antique bronze shade to help highlight the design even further.
You can further enhance your selection with the ideal accessories in a range of metallic finishes. For example, we love the satin black radiator with high contrast lacquered brass wall stays. Don’t forget to choose an ornate radiator valve, too.
If you want to make a bold statement with your radiators, placement is everything. We love a bay window with traditional radiators in the centre. Choose a short and wide design like the traditional 9 column radiator to achieve sufficient BTU for your space, without having to choose a taller model.
You could also play with height by selecting a vintage vertical radiator. Our ornate radiators are available in the tallest heights. Multiple vintage vertical radiators can be placed in a room to create symmetry and make this an important part of the visual balance of the room.
You don’t have to be decorating and renovating in the period style to make the most of this design choice. Cast iron radiators are surprisingly versatile in interior design. We’ve seen cast iron radiators put to work in maximalist to minimalist interiors. They are also adaptable for traditional design or more contemporary spaces. In short, if you’ve got a design theme in mind, there is a traditional radiator colour and style combination that will perfectly suit your interior.
A popular way to draw the eye back to the item you want to showcase is to include similar colours, textures or themes. This could mean pairing a cast iron radiator with a statement piece of artwork to help draw the eye to the radiator. You could also include elements of the same coloured metal throughout the interior. For example, decorating with accents of brass when you have brass wall stays and valves on your radiators. This will help to create cohesion in the design.
An obvious benefit of placing your radiators in a prominent place in the room is that they will be better placed to distribute heat around the space. The room will also appear cosier, as the eye will be drawn to this source of heat. If you don’t have the space, budget or setup that will allow a wood burning stove, the next best thing would be a traditional cast iron radiator that is capable of generating a lot of heat.
One of our favourite design choices in homes is to create contrast between the radiator and its surroundings. Monochromatic interiors will draw the eye to your cast iron radiator and make it a focal point in your interior. Pastel wall shades pair beautifully with a cream radiator. And the antique bronze shade is an ideal choice when paired with darker shades like forest green. You can also pair the solid block colour or a radiator with a heavily patterned wallpaper to create an eye catching finish.
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1 5% discount on orders over £2,000 before delivery & VAT
2 Ten year guarantee on all radiators excluding clearance
