Most radiators are designed with function at the fore, and as such, do not hold much aesthetic appeal.  However, in recent years, the boom in householders self-designing their interiors has helped to drive an expansion in the range of designer radiator styles on offer in the consumer market.

Designer radiator styles are as varied and diverse as the homes in which they are eventually placed.  Homeowners can choose from “off the shelf” pre fabricated designer styles or can enlist the help of a personal designer to help them create a bespoke style for their bathrooms.

Designer radiators are a great combination of style and function and, by dint of their traditional metal and tubular construction, bathroom radiators lend themselves well to being metamorphosed into an eye catching conversation piece.

Designer radiators are available in wall fitted horizontal and vertical designs, or those with a little more space to play with may wish to push the boat out and install a sculpture-inspired freestanding piece to complete a contemporary look.  For bathrooms where space is at a premium features such as a towel bar can be incorporated into design.

Use brackets fixed to the wall with galvanised screws and wall plugs in the case of solid walls.  With stud partition walls, screw 12mm plywood to the studs and then screw the radiator brackets to this.  If radiator foil is going to be used to increase the effect, apply this after the brackets have been secured in place.

Mark out the positions of the centres of each hanger on the top edge of the radiator and then place the radiator in position and transfer these marks to the wall itself.  Use a spirit level rather than rely on a visual estimate.

Hook the brackets onto the hangers and measure the distance from their tops to the bottom of the radiator.  For clearance, add 25mm to this and mark the position of the top of the bracket on the wall.  Make a mark with a pencil around the base plate of the bracket and mark out the positions of the fixing holes too.  Fit the first bracket by drilling and plugging the fixing holes and screwing the bracket into place.  Fix the second bracket in the same way and then attach the valve couplings to the radiator before lifting it onto the brackets.

For example, towel-warmer radiators serve two purposes, warming towels as well as heating the room. Hung on the wall, they only project a few centimetres and are very unobtrusive. Consider painting an accent wall a bright colour and hanging the radiator there for a modern design statement. 

Other radiators are manufactured in shapes and designs that are, in and of themselves, works of art. Circular, tubular and even wave designs in chrome, brushed metal or even coloured metals will instantly add style and comfort to your bathroom. 

Especially during the summer months, you can usually find designer bathroom radiators on sale. Most of them come with all the hardware needed to install them, although typically the radiator valves are purchased separately, as many designs are available.

Today’s bathroom radiators supply gentle, quiet heat and many can be installed to a programmable thermostat, saving you money on your power bills. Programme your new bathroom radiator to turn on an hour or so before you wake and turn off when you leave for work and you’ll only heat the room for the time needed.

Replace that worn-out radiator with a sleek, slim design that will save you money.

If space is at a premium, then there are a number of vertical radiators available which are only a few inches across, but have the added bonus of height.  These come in a range of styles and finishes, with chrome or black finishes for more modern styles of bathroom or white for a more traditional look. 

Those with a larger bathroom may prefer a larger radiator.  A popular style at the moment is the vintage look of the cast-iron hospital-style radiator.  By buying a modern manufactured radiator you get the look you want, with the efficiency you expect from a modern appliance. 

Of course, a radiator doesn’t just have to be a radiator.  Many are now opting for a heated towel rail, which can not only help to keep the room warm, but is ideal for keeping towels dry and warm.  Having designer radiators does not mean that you have to break the bank to afford them.  Some are very reasonably priced and can be operated from your existing central heating system or by electricity, if you want to control it separately. 

The most basic towel radiators come in chrome or white and are simply a series of heated towel rails set against the wall. They do their job well and are the least expensive towel radiators available.

Designer radiators cost a bit more but in addition to heating towels and the bathroom area, they serve as a stylish centrepiece. They range from curvy, contemporary models to towel radiators with a more spa-like look, which incorporate a heated towel slat instead of a heated towel rail into the design.

While towel radiators do add warmth to the bathroom area, how much will depend on the size of the bathroom and the BTU delivered by the towel radiator. Be sure to do the math before making a final decision. Also, don’t forget to add in the cost of radiator valves, which must be purchased separately, when calculating the final cost of a towel radiator.

Towel radiators also are available in electric models, if a bathroom’s setup does not allow for a traditional towel radiator.

To find a towel radiator solution for your bathroom, simply search for “towel radiators” and “heated towel rails” online.

The Jesi heated towel rail has a curvy design and its chrome finish would complement any bathroom with a contemporary décor. The specs are 733 BTU, 215 watts.

For those who want to set a spa tone in their bathroom, the Luna heated towel rail fits the bill. It has 15 towel rails in the form of curved, chrome tubes. The specs are 858 BTU, 251 watts. There is also the Signelle heated towel rail, which sets a similar mood because of its 14 smooth, chrome panels in a vertical line. The specs are 2,005 BTU, 558 watts.

The Biano heated towel rail features towel rails in varying lengths, forming a leaf-shape design. The specs are 1573 BTU, 461 watts.

Perhaps the most unusual heated towel rail on the market is the Signal 18. It truly looks like a piece of chrome wall art, with its 18 towel rails striking out on different sides. The specs are 1900 BTU, 557 watts.

To find a heated towel rail solution for your bathroom, simply search for “heated towel rail” or “heated towel rails” online. With all of these designer radiators and heated towel rail options, radiator valves must be purchased separately. 

If you already have an ordinary radiator in your bathroom it is possible to replace this with a towel radiator, rather that fitting completely new pipes and connections. The towel radiator works in the same way but care needs to be taken to consider the heat output, which will be stated in BTU, or British Thermal Units. There is a formula for calculating the BTU you will require for heating your bathroom and if you take the measurements of your bathroom, including height, to your supplier you can find out what the optimum BTU is for your particular bathroom.

If you are replacing a bathroom radiator with a towel radiator, it is also essential to work out exactly where the towel radiator inlet and outlet pipes are in relation to the radiator you want to remove because they may not line up, or be the same size.

A simpler alternative is a towel rail, or rack, with an electric element which can be easily mounted on the wall and wired in, without the worry of matching pipes and fitting. These can look as good as the radiator type but are not part of the central heating system. They are designed in modern chrome, stainless and aluminium finishes as well as the standard white so they will still look good in a contemporary bathroom.

Close the radiator by turning the large plastic cap on the valve clockwise. Then remove the little plastic shield from the valve on the other side and use a spanner to close it, remembering to count the number of clockwise turns. When you open this valve again, it has to return to the position it was in previously or the radiator won’t be ‘balanced’ and heat will get distributed unevenly through the system. Use a radiator key to open the bleed valve at the top of the radiator and ‘bleed’ it of air.

Remove the radiator from the closed valves by holding the valve body in place with one spanner, while undoing the nut connecting it to the radiator with the other; place a shallow tray beneath to collect the water. Then tilt the radiator to empty the water into the tray and lift it from the wall brackets.

Bring your new radiator into position on the brackets, wrap some PTFE around the threads, in a clockwise direction and lift the valve nuts into alignment, tightening them with your fingers. Tighten with two spanners, as you loosened them, open the bleed valve, turn the large plastic cap clockwise and the small valve back to its former position and wait. When water starts to sprinkle from the bleed valve, close it and check all around for leaks. It might not be property development, but you’ll feel much warmer.

The benefit of having designer radiators in bathrooms is usually aesthetic in nature, as the appliances can operate just as efficiently as other high quality radiators, but they provide an elegance and beauty that will certainly surpass standard bathroom radiators.

Bathrooms can often be overlooked as an opportunity to provide a relaxing decor, but other than that they provide an excellent opportunity to increase the value of your home. Bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture certainly play an important part in this, and introducing designer radiators within bathrooms can certainly go a long way to improving bathrooms that suffer from a bland interior.

Bathroom suites can be utilised as a major home improvement feature. The addition of a shower cubicle or a shower enclosure can also help in increasing the design potential of all bathrooms. The finishing touches can also be just as important and there are vast assortments of decorative basin taps and bath taps that are made to complement the bath, and even the bathroom sink, which could prove significant in releasing the full potential of your bathroom.

Investing DIY time into the bathroom will undoubtedly prove worthwhile by not only creating a bathroom that is suited to the requirements of the modern family, but it will unlock a new level of value to the property. 

The first factor to consider is where the radiator should be placed. It is ideal to have it situated in the middle of the longest wall, but where the most convenient pipe connection is will sometimes dictate the location.

Once you know where the radiator will be located, measure the space between the two fastening points on the back of the radiator and draw a vertical line through each mark with a spirit level. When you have fully secured the radiator brackets on to the wall, put the radiator into place.

Before your new bathroom radiator can be connected to the pipes, you will have to drain the entire heating system. The radiator will usually be connected to the pipes via a T-shape fitting, with a valve on the flow pipe. Make sure both pipes are connected fully and tighten any fittings with a spanner.

If in any doubt about this kind of work always use a professional plumber.