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Radiators are a staple in all our homes – we use them to keep us warm in the colder months, but they can often be forgotten about, especially with the plain, white designs. If you’re upgrading your radiators to a more modern alternative, have you ever thought about what you could do with your old ones? There are ways that you can reuse and recycle your old radiators, rather than throwing them away! So, whether you have a vertical radiator or a column radiator, there is an idea to suit you. Read on for some inspiration on how you can transform radiators you’re no longer using.
Paint it
If you have an old radiator that you do not use anymore before you remove it and get rid of it altogether, why not paint it? You can buy radiator paint from any DIY store; all you must do is choose your favourite colour or a finish that matches the style of your room and get painting. It’s no surprise that old radiators are some of the most traditional, and sometimes boring-looking, so instead of removing it from your wall, think about whether painting it a different colour could add something extra to your space – could it act as a centrepiece or a talking point? Choose a contrasting colour to get the most from your old radiator, enhance your space and create a unique addition to your home.
Create a new table
If you’ve recently removed a radiator and you’re wondering how you can upcycle it – making a table from it is a great idea. Cast iron or column radiators work best for this, and you can design your table in two ways. You can either turn your radiator on its side, creating a flat surface for you to attach a tabletop to (wood works best), or you could leave it standing as it was on the wall, and attach a narrow piece of wood to the top, to act as a taller, side table-style piece. Use your imagination and see what you can come up with. You could paint the radiator or use different types of wood to suit your home’s design.
Turn it into a bench
This is a creative idea if you’re reusing a vertical radiator. Turn your radiator on its side so it is horizontal. You can use the long, flat top as a surface to install a wooden seat. You may have to include small feet for your bench to lift the radiator off the floor slightly. Again, you can paint it, and choose the type of material that works best to create your bench. You could place your new bench outside as a feature in your garden or add it to your hallway or porch.
Use it as a home accessory
If you’ve removed your radiator from the wall, that doesn’t mean you can’t still use it as a decorative accessory. This project idea works well if you have a cash iron or column radiator – the more rustic, the better! You can decorate your radiator and restore it into a piece of artwork. You can paint it, in bright, bold colours, or sleek metallic hues, and even add hand-painted detailing, or use stencils to create a unique design. Your project will be a unique piece of art that no one else will have in their home and creating it yourself will give you something to focus on – boosting your mood and giving you a sense of achievement.
