apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I second the "Paint it to match the wall and install a shelf over it"

I say spray paint it black then install a black floating wall shelf (something like the Ikea Lack) a bit above it. It'll give the illusion that it's a console table.

You can find other colors online, for example:
http://www.exoticflames.com/xcart/home.php?cat=286

It looks like if you painted it a light brown it could look like a mid-century modern cabinet, matching your chair! Might even leave the wood-colored panel as-is...

Could even put faux legs on the front...

There is some debate as to whether heat resistant paint is even needed, depending on how hot it gets...

There was a house tour on here a while back where she painted hers a dark red with gold Moroccan-looking stencils. Looked amazing!

I would paint it silver. I like to take ugly things and turn them into modern jewelry for the house. Then hang several pictures above it in chunky silver frames. When you create a little family of silver objects it will seem like the heater is there on purpose. Although I also dig the floating shelf idea posted by Grace. : )

I did mine white and haven't had a problem with it getting dirty. i was also surprised at what a huge difference it made.

I had the same dilemma, a wall heater between two windows, and purchased this mirror from IKEA. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50038213

It's almost 7 feet tall and 2 1/2 feet wide.

Propped the mirror in front of the heater so heat still emanates from behind and around and the room is made to appear larger in the process. Good luck!

In my old apartment I built a shelf unit around mine that ran almost the full length of the wall (left open in front of the heater for proper ventilation). Similar to the idea of disguising it as furniture, but in this case I visually minimized the heater by including it within a larger, architectural piece of furniture.

The pierced grating that comes in the covers you can buy is often for sale quite cheap at hardware stores in sheets. If you are at all handy and could build a frame around the heater (or find a side table that would fit around it - perhaps cut in half), you could easily make one of these yourself.

I had the same problem with my low wall air conditioner. I put a sofa table over/around it and you barely notice it. The air still comes out from under the table, but it isn't an eye sore anymore. I don't think any type of table will work for you since it's right by the window ledge, so my second thought was to do the shelf, as others have suggested. Heck, you could even put a few shelves and turn it into a little bar area with wine glasses. But yeah, make it monochromatic. Good luck!

I would say, frame it with 3"-4" plywood planks or even ones from a pallet (recycle! :)) , paint the wood pieces first with whatever color you'd like. And i'd say leave it white, gives you more freedom with the color for the frame.

Well I totally get the 'need it but hate it ' bit and renting is a pain when it comes to ugly things. I would put a folding screen around it eventually kitted out with flaps to let the heat flow through, sort of layers of fabric that overlap providing ventilation (think 'gills') or try a very loose weave that you could even paint over with thin paint sort of like a mural. There are many kinds of stuff that you could use for this, even screen netting or you can find three old window shutters in a scrap yard and hinge them together after sanding and waxing if you like the distressed look or painting if you are more in control of your colors. Good luck anyway. Best wishes Stephanie

Perhaps you could even get a nice fireplace screen that won't just hide it but allow the heat through, look nice and survive the heat. Add a shelf above that, could look pretty swank.

In upstate NY, we have a lot of old houses with radiators and ugly heaters, and we have to keep them functional with our winters! It's fairly standard to put a radiator cover over them. You should be able to buy one in the right dimensions from a historic home supplier, or make one yourself, purchasing the punched tin from Lowe's or Home Depot, and making a wood frame for it. You can paint the tin whatever color you like, and make it really cool.

home body's on the money. I would totally do the same thing, and actually did, in my last place. Looked awesome and is very easy to do. Any lumber place will cut the wood to size for you (even home depot), and the grating is cheap. Maximum cash outlay is no more than $40.

I have the exact same heater - and the exact same problem. PLEASE let's see some fotos of the above suggestions and Brenna, let us see what you end up doing. I will be watching for inspiration!

I HAVE THE SOLUTION!!!

I have seen this done and it looks great -- build a cheap, easy and beautiful heater cover. It allows the heat to get out and circulate, and thus is a better solution than putting something in front of the heater. Also, you could paint it, but it would still be ugly, just a different color. With this solution, you even get to pick out retro inspired grating. Whats not to love? Go here to find out everything you need to know:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,1582598,00.html

I used a matchstick bamboo curtain from Home Depot to cover my heater.

Holy minnie!

Who knew there were so many helpful, creative people out there ... I mean I knew, but now I KNOW! So many great ideas to mull over, it might take me a while to suss out the solution, but I'll surely post when I do!

It takes a village!

Thanks a ton,
Brenna

Brenna, I have the exact same heater in my living room. PLEASE post pictures once you come up with your solution. I can't wait to see what you do!