Rustic study in New England Fall colour scheme with bronze column radiators.

How to heat your snug or book nook in style

Written by
Nick Duggan

Snug by name, snug by nature- that’s how those little areas in your home should feel. Whether you use it as a book nook or just somewhere cosy to relax, it needs to be warm to feel comfortable. Here’s our top tips on how to heat your smallest spaces in style.

Choosing the right size radiator for small spaces

It’s just as important to choose the right size radiator for small spaces as it is for large ones. While a too-small radiator might not be effective at heating a big space, choosing an unnecessarily large one could compromise the appearance of your room and mean you’re paying more than you need to to keep it toasty.

We’ve created an easy-to-use online calculator that will help you discover how much output your radiator needs to have to heat your room efficiently. Just input your information and let us do the calculations.

TRV traditional radiator valve shown on white radiator

Don’t overlook the valves

Valves play an important function for your radiator, but their style and placement often gets overlooked in favour of the bigger picture. If you’re squeezed for space, taking advantage of how your radiator can be configured might help. Many radiators can be made with the valves underneath the radiator, freeing up some additional space. The correct style of valve – straight, corner or angled – will also help you get the best sized radiator into the room.

If your radiator would be better with the valves underneath, ask one of our experienced showroom staff for more information. We’ve also recently started to see more customers choosing to have their valves placed away from the radiator itself, particularly when it’s designed to be a statement piece of decor in a room. Ask a member of our team for more information.

Selecting the right style to complement your room

Unless you want your radiator to become the focal point of your book nook or snug, it’s essential to pick a style that elevates your space rather than overwhelms it. Fortunately, there’s a huge range of radiator aesthetics to choose from, from traditional cast iron available in a spectrum of sizes, to conceptual constructions that blend in as modern art.

If you’re tight on space, consider radiators for corners that tucks out of the way, or one that gently curves – ideal for creating warmth in rooms with bay windows. There are even low-level options that can tuck underneath bench dating in spaces such as hallways and utility rooms, that offer heat without impacting on higher-level space.

And with plenty of colours and materials to choose from, there really is a radiator to suit every colour scheme and mood. Whether you’re embracing minimalist whites, contemporary brushed steels and textured finishes, or your home is an explosion of colour and tactile sensation, the right radiator can either blend into the background or become a point of conversation.

High Heat Output Rosy Max Radiator in RAL 9016 under window by Cordivari

Dial up the temperature on demand

Unless you’re using your snug every day, heating it at the same time as the rest of your house could be a waste of energy. Smart home technology solutions are a great way to ensure you’re using energy responsibly and you’re not paying to warm up rooms that aren’t in use. Smart heating lets you turn on radiators individually as and when needed. If you’ve opted for a smart solution, you can choose to switch them on remotely, so you can come home to a blissfully toasty space.

Small spaces deserve to be comfortable and warm this winter too, and we hope this guide helps you to discover the design that helps heat your home. Why not pop into our showroom and see the wide selection of styles we have available for yourself? Our team is ready and happy to help.