How to Install a Shelf Above a Radiator

Often, the wall space above a radiator can be wasted as you can’t place anything directly on top of it, and you can’t put any furniture there. An easy way to add some interest and practicality to this space is by installing a shelf. This is a popular choice for lots of homeowners, but what are the advantages and disadvantages? And what kind of shelf is the best for the job? Keep reading to find out.

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Advantages and disadvantages of installing a shelf above a radiator

Yes, you shouldn’t put anything directly on top of your radiator, which is exactly why a radiator shelf or wall-mounted shelf above it can be a helpful choice. This has three main advantages:

Heat circulation: putting a shelf above a radiator with a healthy gap underneath it can help to direct the heat coming up from the radiator into your room. This stops it from travelling up the walls and escaping upwards.
Storage space: of course, installing a shelf gives you an extra surface to store or display whatever you want, whether that be books, trinkets, or family photos.
Design: placing a shelf above a radiator can help to distract from the appliance underneath, which – let’s face it – can sometimes be a bit of an eyesore. It also gives you a chance to decorate your walls with something a bit more aesthetically pleasing, like flowers or pictures.

There are some things you’ll need to consider when installing a radiator shelf, such as:

Heat damage: you should always install a shelf a few inches above the top of the radiator, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it will be completely damage-free. The best way to mitigate this is to get a shelf made from heat-resistant materials or wood that has been treated to stand up against higher temperatures. This means you’ll it will be less likely to warp.
Heat circulation: while a shelf can help to better distribute the heat from the radiator, if it’s installed too close to the top, it can block the heat from circulating around the room. An easy way to stop this from happening is just by making sure you’ve got a large enough gap between the two.

What’s the best material for a radiator shelf?

It’s important to consider what your shelf is made of before installing it above a heat source like a radiator. Soft woods like pine may suffer more damage than hardwearing woods like oak or maple and material like MDF, which is treated for durability. You’ll also want to avoid metal shelves as these will conduct the heat, making them hot to the touch and potentially damaging to your items.

You’ll also need to consider the use of treated or laminated woods that could burn and emit harmful fumes. These will need to have a heat-resistant finish. Generally, as long as you’re not placing the shelf any closer than 6 inches from the top of the radiator, the heat should dissipate enough to avoid any damage to the shelf itself and whatever is on it.

How to install a shelf above a radiator

Here’s some simple instructions on how to install a shelf above a radiator, whether radiator shelves or wall-mounted.

Radiator shelves: specially designed radiator shelves don’t require any screwing into the wall. They come with a flat piece of wood, screws, and brackets that are designed to slot onto the back of your radiator. Just screw the brackets onto the wood, and your shelf will rest securely above your radiator with a gap underneath it to let the heat out.

Wall-mounted shelves: you can install a wall-mounted shelf in the same way you usually would above a radiator, whether that’s one with brackets or a floating shelf. It’s recommended that when installing a shelf above a heat source, you go for the most secure option possible, which may mean that a bracketed shelf is the best option for keeping your trinkets and valuables safe.

Tape measure
Pencil or Marxman Pen
Spirit level
Shelf
Brackets
Screws
Wall plugs (for plasterboard or masonry)
Drill bits (for plasterboard or masonry)
Drill
Stud detector
Hammer
PPE

Decide on the position of your shelf, marking where you’d like it to sit on the wall. If you’d like it to sit central to the radiator, make sure to mark the centre point at this height.

Top tip: remember to use a spirit level when doing any measuring and marking.

When installing a shelf with brackets, you’ll need to know where on the shelf they will sit. To do this, measure an equal distance from each side of the shelf and make a mark at both ends.

Next, measure the width between your brackets. Half the resulting number and use it to measure from either side of the centre marking on your wall. This is where your brackets will sit.

Place your brackets onto the wall, aligning their top edge with your wall markings. Use a pencil or Marxman pen to indicate where you’ll need to drill your holes.

Before you pick up the drill, scan over your wall with a stud detector. This will alert you of any pipes or wires that you don’t want to drill into.

Make sure you have the right drill bits for your wall type.

Remember to put on PPE, and when drilling into your markings, make sure to hold the drill straight and steady.

Insert your wall plugs into the drilled holes. You may need to use a hammer to get them flush with the wall.

Align the holes on the bracket with the fixings in the wall, insert the screws, and tighten up with a screwdriver or drill. Double-check that each of your brackets are perfectly horizontal using a small spirit level and ensure that the top of the brackets are level with each other.

Place your shelf onto the brackets, making sure each bracket is an equal width from each edge.

Use a drill to screw the shelf to the bracket from underneath.

Carry out a final check with the spirit level to make sure your shelf lays flat.

The wall space above your radiator doesn’t have to go to waste. Just because you can’t place any furniture there, doesn’t mean it can’t become a practical space that can elevate the look of your room. Radiator shelves are specially designed to slot behind the radiator, leaving a gap for the heat to escape, or you can simply install a standard wall-mounted shelf a few inches above the top of the radiator. Never installed a shelf before? Check out our guide on where to start with putting up a shelf before you take the plunge.