How much gap if putting sofa bed in front of radiator?

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082071#Comment_82082071

I agree, I think the tall one looks quite stylish and works well to use a narrow strip of wall. I think the futon is likely to block / absorb the heat from the current radiator.

silvercar

We changed a standard radiator that was behind a sofa for a vertical radiator. The difference in the heat felt in the room was significant. We also gained 4 inches of space that the radiator occupied plus at least another 6 inches from having to maintain a gap between the radiator and the sofa.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082364#Comment_82082364

It's a perfectly reasonable alternative suggestion. I simply pointed out it would cost unnecessary £100s. Buying the rad ain't the biggest outlay, it's the plumbing.

And then you'd have a pretty ugly, nearly-200mm projection, rad fully exposed to view, whereas the current rad - which will almost certainly remain adequate for the room - can continue hiding behind the bed.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082505#Comment_82082505

But crucially hiding the radiator behind the sofa prevents it effectively warming the room, which is the whole purpose of a radiator.

Personally I like the look of vertical rads like this.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082932#Comment_82082932

I like very column rads too - I fitted a couple in our new extension. But they don't suit every room. And why change the plumbing when it isn't needed.

I would guess that the existing rad in that room will continue to provide adequate heat, even once some form of simple shield is placed between it and the new sofa.

TroubledTarts

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82082932#Comment_82082932

Agreed that is wasted heat especially if the room is difficult to heat in winter.

The tall column rads can look very stylish

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82083300#Comment_82083300

The trouble is if the rest of the room/area is not very stylish, then they would look out of place.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82083362#Comment_82083362

Ouch!! 😯🙃😶

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82083366#Comment_82083366

I actually was not thinking about the OPs pictures, but my own bedrooms, which I am afraid are not very contemporary ( like me 😀).

TroubledTarts

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82083362#Comment_82083362

Not really one stylish piece can often lead to another, not everyone buys 5-10 stylish pieces all at once in a designed room it evolves over time. Unless you are rich of course or very creative in upcycling and have a design eye.