Radiators are not so beautiful, placing them at a not so practical location can make trouble. Of course, they can be changed to another type of heating solution. Details: https://blog.classicinteriors.hu/?p=8844&lang=en. If they have to be there, bring the most out of them.
In Hungary, radiators are placed under the windows most of the cases. The demand to use this space also can occur especially in small flats. A simple console table gives an immediate solution. Push it over the radiator and it will be a useful storage place. The whole radiator can remain open with this method. Take care of putting only heat resistant objects there in the heating season
Certain parts of one-piece, custom-made cabinets – built-in the full width of the wall with the windows – might contain the radiator. They should have densely perforated doors for letting the heat to flow. If the other parts have doors with the same design, but only with a half-cut pattern, the harmony will be more perfect.
Let’s fix a floating shelf between the radiator and the windowsill. The shelf can be placed even on consoles fixed on the wall on the two sides of the radiator also. This is a solution for using the narrow windowsill also, for example for potted plants.
If the replacement of the radiators is necessary anyhow, there will be a possibility to implement a seating bench by choosing low but longer heaters, which can be useful parts of a dining corner or a reading nook, for example.
If we would like to hide only the radiator without building, let’s paint it to the color of the wall or the furniture with the proper heat-proof paint.
If luckily there are old cast iron radiators in good condition, do not change them to modern flat ones, because cast iron provides heat more intensely. Cast iron radiators can be purchased in shops again, which can be ordered in variable colors, this way there’s no need compromise for classic style.
The things mentioned above don’t regard to convectors due to open flame! Ask for help of an interior designer for planning.