Are you thinking about investing in designer radiators, but feeling unsure if they all need to be the same?
Well, I’ve got a bit of a revelation for you; they don’t have to be. You can mix and match!
Designer radiators are wonderful things, and can add an extra style dimension to your home. But you don’t have to be tied to any particular style – and you can even add them in one room at a time! There’s really no hard and fast rules when it comes to making a statement for your home.
As an experienced engineer in the Edinburgh area, I’m seeing more and more of my customers choose designer radiators. And not all of them are sure of where to start. That’s why, I’m going to explain below how picking designer radiators can be a lot of fun – and there’s really no limits!
TIP: Unsure if you want designer radiators? I’ve written a blog that might help: ‘What Are the Different Types of Radiators and What Do They Mean?‘
Why you can mix and match
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with mixing and matching designer radiators. You’ll find that once you’re no longer stuck with bog-standard white pressed steel radiators, you’re opening up to a whole new world of possibilities – where not everything has to look the same.
You might want some radiators that are vertical, some that are cast iron, or aluminium along with standard steel radiators and underfloor heating. All can be mixed and matched to suit your needs!
A few of my customers have specifically opted to make their radiators different, especially in large open-plan spaces. In an open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen, for example, I’ve put in different radiators to help split up the three spaces and give the illusion of different rooms in one big open space. I really love seeing this!
When it comes to choosing designer radiators, basically the sky’s the limit! And you don’t even have to fit them all at the same time. If you’re doing up your lounge or drawing room and want to put something special in, you can! Then you can later knock down a wall and do up that area later. Mix and match your radiators to change at any time!
TIP: Just remember that designer radiators typically don’t give out the same amount of heat as standard ones! Check out my blog to find out more.
Advice from an experienced engineer
The most important thing to remember about mixing and matching your designer radiators? You’ve got to think of how you want your home to look. These tend to be feature pieces that can really add to a room, and stand out from the every-day white pressed steel radiators most people are used to.
Another thing to bear in mind is that these radiators aren’t cheap – so can’t really be compared to, say, putting up coloured wallpaper. In order to be worth it, you’ll probably want to keep them on your walls for a number of years. This means choose wisely. If you want a certain colour, but will want to redecorate in future, will it still be a good match?
One of my clients recently was going through a renovation, and wanted different radiators in different places. He chose a short, dumpy radiator specifically for the kitchen area that had a bit of extra dead space. The spot was where he liked to put his wellies on, and integrated perfect into his lifestyle by allowing for a more cosy space! Perfect.
Oh – one final thing. I’d say that if you’re buying designer radiators, think about the valves you’re fitting with them. Especially if you’re investing a lot of money, choose your valves carefully. It you’re going for a chrome radiator, get chrome valves. Or if you’re opting for cast iron or a very distinctive style of designer radiator, why not antique gold or traditional-style brass valves? The extra cost will be worth it!
Conclusion
Thanks for reading. I hope this blog has helped shed some light on the unlimited possibilities when investing in designer radiators. You can definitely mix and match to find your own style! Just remember that designer radiators often don’t give out the same heat as standard ones. If you’re unsure of the heat output you need, ask your chosen engineer.
Or, you could try using this online heat calculator!
Do you have any questions about designer radiators? Let me know in the comments! I’m always happy to hear from you.
