Masking and design of heating batteries
Modern heating radiators are quiteacceptable design, so do not really spoil the interior of the apartment or house. But this applies only to bimetallic, aluminum and some metal models, but cast-iron ones do not look much anymore. And you can not even talk about Soviet and self-contained batteries, often you will not look at them without tears. But, fortunately, the problem is solved - the radiators can be beautifully decorated or hidden (disguised). The main ways, as can be done, will be considered in this article.
1 way - decoupage, coloring
The batteries are painted with heat-resistant paintor sticking special stickers that you can buy ready, or order it with the image that you need. If correctly done the design, the heating appliances will perfectly complement the interior, but it is not very obvious. It's not so easy to pick the right figure or color as it seems. 
If you do the decorating incorrectly, the batteries will stand out very much, and even look worse than before the design (given below, examples prove this, as well as possible). 
2 way - screen closing
Unlike painting or decoupage, screens are notmake the batteries more beautiful, but simply hide them, completely covering one or several sides. Due to full or partial shutdown, the heating efficiency is reduced, so this type of battery masking is not suitable for rooms where it is already cold. The most common screens are 4 types - metal, glass, plastic and wood (wood or MDF). Each of the species has a lot of different implementation options, differing in a number of parameters (the full classification is extensive, if it is interesting to look, on the Internet it is). 
Metal, plastic and glass screens,in our opinion, have extremely low decorative qualities and are not suitable for masking batteries. But wooden and MDF products look very good, if, of course, they are made neatly and adapted to the interior. But it's all a matter of taste. 
3 way - creating a false wall
The third way to mask heating batteries is to place them in a false wall and close it with a screen made of plastic, wood or other material. 
In this case, some of the heat is lost due toscreen, plus because of the thinning of the wall, the radiator in a sense begins to heat the street. Although it is possible to get rid of the last flaw, having made a niche from gypsum cardboard. 
This method is suitable only for warm rooms with centralized heating, in which the loss of heat transfer will not be strongly felt on the microclimate and gas costs.
4 way - use the cover
The cover for the heating battery well disguises it in the interior, and it looks interesting. In addition, it protects the psyche of parents, in which small children like to knock on metal radiators. 
But there are drawbacks to this method:
- First, the matter disrupts the natural convection of the air, so the batteries do not heat the room so efficiently.
- Secondly, the fabric from contact with the hot surface can catch fire or start to smolder, causing a fire.
People who constantly dry clothes on batteries,can object and say that nothing will happen. And in part they will be right. Cases of fire are actually extremely rare, but once a year and a mop shoots, so be still careful and do not say that we did not warn you.
5 way - battery replacement
Speaking as Captain Obvious, let's say thatthe best way to disguise the old ugly batteries is to replace them with new ones, the more they are not so expensive. But if you do not like the new radiators, then it makes sense to pay attention to non-standard models with a higher-class design. They cost, of course, not at all budget, but the view is delicious. The so-called designer heating radiators (conditionally, of course) are divided into two groups: models with a classical form, but beautiful design and batteries, which can not even be immediately recognized as a heater. The first is cheaper and somehow more familiar (habit is a habit). 
The second is very expensive (from 500 dollars and above) and perfectly suited for premium housing. 
Agree, these radiators do not need to be formalizedor hide, they themselves are an excellent decoration of any interior. The truth is to take into account that not all designer heating batteries are warming well, some are insanely beautiful, but with low heat output.
