Tips on How to Decorate a Baseboard Heater

Painting

• Painting the baseboard heater the same color as the wall is the easiest way to camouflage it. Gone are the days when the baseboard heater had to be white, no matter what color the wall or wallpaper. If you're on a budget, painting is the least expensive way to spruce up the baseboard heater, along with being a do-it-yourself project. If you're artistically inclined, try painting a faux marble or other stone or tile look on the baseboard heaters. Use a heat-resistant paint for best results.

Covers

• Installing a baseboard cover improves the look of the heater and the airflow in the house. These covers are designed to create uniform temperature and flow. Consider a bright or bold color to perk up your room when installing a baseboard heater cover. Neutral colors may hide the heaters, but colors that go with other decor elements in the room turn the baseboard into an accent piece and an integral part of the decorating scheme.

Architectural Design

• Some baseboard heater covers mimic architectural elements in your house. These types of covers slip on existing baseboard heaters and include distinctive architectural patterns. Like other types of baseboard heater covers, these models improve heat distribution and airflow. You may install these covers yourself or have them done professionally.

Flooring

• Another option for baseboard heater decor involves blending them in with the floor colors, rather than the walls, to make them less obvious. Use trompe l'oeil, or "fool the eye," techniques to make the heaters look like wooden or stone floors, or you can mimic the pattern in the carpet. If you can't paint this way yourself, hire an artist specializing in home decor and trompe l'oeil painting to accomplish the task. Your friends will wonder how you acquired solid wood or other types of baseboard heaters to match your decor.