Whether you’re planning a bathroom refresh or a complete renovation from scratch, there are plenty of practicalities you need to take into consideration before you reach the final stage of your new space…

And today, we’re talking about bathroom radiators – the key to keeping warm and enjoying spa-like toasty towels on chilly days. But with the wide variety of styles available these days, where do you even start looking for your new heating solutions? We’ve asked the experts…

“Whether you opt for modern or traditional designs, choosing the right bathroom radiator helps to add a luxurious finishing touch to your space, whilst also having practicality in mind,” says Mike Whitfield, in-house luxury interior expert at Lusso.

So, what should you think about first when looking for a new bathroom radiator? Peter Woodward, marketing manager at Harrison Bathrooms, says there are several factors to consider such as the heating system, the size of your bathroom, and the type of material you prefer.

Heat requirements

Carefully analyse how much heat your radiator needs to offer in order to keep your bathroom at a comfortable temperature. “To work out the heat requirements, you’ll need to know your room dimensions, ceiling height, and ideally the level of insulation, so that you can use a BTU (British Thermal Units) Calculator,” advises Richard Eaton, design manager at Tissino. “This will then let you know how many BTUs you need and you can pick your radiator accordingly.” You can always seek help from a professional plumber, who can provide an accurate calculation of your BTU requirements.

Plumbed, electric or dual-fuel bathroom radiator?

So you have your heating requirements sorted – it’s time to think about whether you want a plumbed, electric, or dual-fuel radiator. “If you want fully integrated bathroom heating with a plumbed radiator, don’t forget to choose your radiator valves too. Choose stylish, minimal, and ornate radiator valves to complement your bathroom décor, including thermostatic valves to help reduce your energy costs,” advises Jess Steele, heating and technology expert at BestHeating.

“Electric radiators are very popular options for bathrooms since they operate independently from your central heating. This means that even if you have the heating turned off in the summer, you can still enjoy a comfortable bathroom and warm towels without wasting energy heating your entire home.

“If you’re unsure whether to go electric, dual fuel radiators are a great option since they offer the best of both. At the flick of a switch, dual fuel radiators can operate as an independent electric radiator, or part of your central heating system,” adds Jess.

Bathroom radiator materials

In terms of materials, aluminium radiators are a popular choice. “Many people are becoming bolder in their choices and are embracing metallic finishes to add personality to their bathroom designs. As a result, aluminium radiators are increasingly becoming the material of choice,” says Peter.

“Aluminium is an excellent conductor of heat, allowing radiators to reach maximum temperature quickly while also optimising energy savings. Additionally, aluminium radiators are very lightweight, which makes installation easier, faster, and more cost-effective. They deliver a high heat output, typically 20-30% greater than that of similarly sized double-panel radiators.”

Towel warmers

Towel warmers are great alternatives to the classic bathroom radiator. “Opting for a towel warmer radiator is perfect for those who treat their time in the bathroom as a sacred space for self-care and relaxation, as there’s no better feeling than wrapping yourself in a warm fluffy towel after a soak in the bathtub,” says Mike. “They also present an opportunity to create another point of interest in your bathroom, alongside the practical and space-saving benefits they offer.”

Although a heated rail can warm your room, if size permits, Nick Duggan, director at The Radiator Centre, also recommends a bathroom radiator in addition to a towel warmer.

Storage

Bathroom radiators and towel rails will take up floor or wall space, thus potentially limiting your storage options. However, there are clever ways around this. “For maximum storage in busy family bathrooms, I would recommend ladder-style heated towel rails as they offer a larger surface area with multiple rails to hang towels on,” says Jess. “Where storage is a must but wall space is limited, shelf style heated towel rails offer an extra surface to organise towels and keep them warm without overcrowding a small bathroom.”

Aesthetics

Now, it’s time for the fun part – the look. There are so many styles and finishes available on the market these days – from classic to contemporary, chrome to colourful options. So, we know choosing your new solutions can seem overwhelming. However, it all comes down to personal style, says Richard.

“Traditional floor-mounted designs, for example, fit seamlessly into period properties decorated to align with the property’s original aesthetic, with metallic finishes such as polished nickel and brushed brass helping to replicate a vintage effect,” says Mike. Fore more modern schemes, opt for sleek, minimalist designs.

The size of your bathroom might also dictate the type of bathroom radiator you choose. If you’ve got a small space, long, low designs are great solutions since they can fit in areas which would otherwise be dead space, such as above the bath, advises Nick. “We have also seen an increase in the popularity of robe hangers, which heat your room as well as keeping your dressing gown luxuriously warm.”

As for the perfect finishing touch, Peter recommends coordinating your bathroom radiator or heated towel rail with other hardware elements across your scheme such as taps, showerheads, and robe hooks – a great design trick for achieving a cohesive scheme.

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