20+ Inspiring & Unique Paint Colors for Cast Iron Radiators

Last Updated on March 22, 2024

I’m stuck in bed sick with the flu today. My head is pounding and I long for a nap, but sleep just won’t come. Instead I’ve just been staring at the cast iron radiator that lies about 4 feet from my bed. It’s a dingy white color, chipped, and in desperate need of a new coat of paint. So down the rabbit hole I went… And here’s some gorgeous paint colors for cast iron radiators I found around the web.

Paint Colors for Cast Iron Radiators

Most cast iron radiators in homes are painted white or grey. But they don’t have to be, right? What if I elevated the style of my room with a fun color for my cast iron radiator? A new, nontraditional paint color?

Here’s 20+ unique, eye-catching color ideas. I hope you find them inspiring. Enjoy!

Red & Pink Paint Colors

Hot pink cast iron radiator blends modern with vintage #castironradiator #colorsofhome — Courtesy of Project Fairytale

Project Fairytale painted cast iron radiators for “an authentic touch native only to bygone eras, but can also be used to create an eclectic look in a modern space.” Painting this radiator a hot pink color makes it the “star of the show” versus “wilting in the corner like a shrinking violet”.

Red cast iron radiator on viewed on Domino.com with source of Gunnar Larson for Home Polish #castironradiator #radiatorpaint — Courtesy of Domino and Gunnar Larson for Home Polish

Another statement piece is this brick red paint color for cast iron radiators as shown by Domino Magazine, an on-line resource and quarterly magazine guiding readers towards a more stylish life and home.

Inspiring and unique paint colors for cast iron radiators. Beautiful pink, yellow and white room with multi-colored cast iron radiator in Land of Nod catalog via Redbook.com#olditnewagain #pinkradiator — Courtesy of Redbook Magazine and Land of Nod

Redbook Magazine found this multi-colored one in a Land of Nod catalog from 2012 that has a bit of whimsy to an already cheerful room. (Note that Land of Nod is now Crate and Barrel Kids).

This next cast iron radiator is part of a total bathroom renovation that won interior design awards. I love how the radiator’s cast iron matches the roll top clawfoot tub, and compliments the green walls and modern “tutti-frutti” floor tiles. To see the entire amazing bathroom renovation, check out the link below the photo to the interior designer’s Instagram page.

pink cast iron radiator that fits perfectly with an old cast iron tub with a modern tile floor — Courtesy of Shona East at HoneyJoyHome

This next brighter pink cast iron radiator is from Old House Journal Online (one of my favorite magazines). It kicks farty-old radiators up a notch with a “polychromed” scheme popular in the early 1900s. At the time, it was fashionable to make radiators blend in with the decor and furnishings.

Polychroming involves a two- and three-color paint combinations to highlight radiators’ unique architectural elements. If you want to learn how to apply polychroming to your radiators, their website give step-by-step instructions.

Orange & Yellow Paint Colors

Brighten your room with an orange cast iron radiator on viewed on Brick City Love #oldradiator #colorpop — Courtesy of Brick City Love

Carrie at Brick City Love was inspired to go bold and paint the radiator in her 1880’s rowhome after reading Restoring a House in the City.

This book (which is now on my wish list) follows 21 real-life renovations from stately town houses to brownstone fixer-uppers. It’s written by a former magazine editor at House & Garden and Martha Stewart Living, so she probably knows what she’s talking about….

Beautiful example of inspiring and unique paint colors for cast iron radiators. Orange and yellow cast iron radiator via Pinterest. Photo source unable to track. — Courtesy of Pinterest

This is an intriguing one with the gradient from orange to yellow. I’ve tried to find the original source to give this photo proper credit, but have been unable to find.

Pop of yellow painted on cast iron radiator and pipe feed #paintideas #DIYpaintradiator — Courtesy of Trim Design Co

Annabel and Jen, the interior designers behind Trim Design Co. posted their simple how-to guide to painting cast iron radiators and included a round up of inspirational photos of cast iron radiator paint colors like this yellow one.

The yellow is a surprise of color in contrast to the darker color on the traditional wainscotting about cabinets. Especially the yellow piping rising up to the next floor!

Beautiful example of inspiring and unique paint colors for cast iron radiators. Can't ignore this cheery yellow cast iron radiator! #cheeryyellow #castironraditor #popofcolor — Courtesy of Farrow and Ball

Admittedly, there is no happier color than yellow. And Farrow and Ball, based in England, shows us a cheery yellow cast iron radiator paint color to brighten up your day. This company is known for its richly pigmented, eco-friendly paints and handcrafted wallpaper. Heck, I’m home sick with the flu as I type and even I’m smiling from this pic!

Blue Paint Color

Beautiful blue cast iron radiator matches entryway on this Paladin radiator #paladin #bluecastironradiator — Courtesy of Paladin Radiators

Paladin Radiators are leading specialists in cast iron radiators that are custom built and finished in their dedicated UK workshop. This vibrant blue cast iron radiator even coordinates with the staircase.

Serene blue cast iron radiator with cute feet #spraypaint #radiator — Courtesy of Decoratorist

I like this serene blue color, presumably in a bathroom. This photo was posted by Decoratorist, an online collaboration with home design ideas and creative recommendations that’s easy on your budget.

Beautiful example of inspiring and unique paint colors for cast iron radiators. Turquoise cast iron radiator compliments a purple floral wallpaper #interiordesign #interiordecortolove — Courtesy of Paladin Radiators

The purple floral wallpaper has a bit of a traditional style to it, but the turquoise cast iron radiators adds a modern statement with a bold color.

For a more subtle color, but still a bold statement, check out this tone on tone. This navy blue radiator may match the wall paint color, but certainly doesn’t hide in the background.

rich, gorgeous navy blue radiator that matches wall color in bathroom — Courtesy of Vintage Cast Iron Radiators Ltd

Green Paint Color

This photo of a rich green color cast iron radiator found on Pinterest is originally sourced from Pinture Sanguino. The website is in Spanish (and my high school Spanish is a bit rusty), but I believe this is a paint store located in Madrid that sells Farrow and Ball paints.

Green cast iron radiator blends with traditional wallpaper #greenwall #sagegreendecor — Courtesy of Pinturas Sanguino

This one is a VERY vibrant green color in what appears to be a bathroom. I found it in a collection of intriguing photography by Gloria Rodriguez on Tumblr.

Green cast iron radiator with a pop of color in bathroom #greenradiator — Courtesy of Gloria Rodriguez via Tumblr

Here’s one last green one. Another vibrant and stunning green one from Vintage Cast Iron Radiators offset by the brass valves is the perfect mixture of modern vibrance and subtle traditional brass.

Gorgeously painted cast iron radiator in hallway — Courtesy of Vintage Cast Iron Radiators Ltd

Purple Paint Color

Beautiful example of inspiring and unique paint colors for cast iron radiators. Deep royal purple cast iron radiator #paladinradiators #paintcastironradiators — Courtesy of Paladin Radiators

In addition to the blue radiators above, Paladin Radiators’ gallery of photos show radiators in a variety of calming lavender and deep royal purple colors for inspiration.

Calm pink color for cast iron radiator #calminterior #paladinradiators #refreshradiators — Courtesy of Paladin Radiators

Beautiful example of inspiring and unique paint colors for cast iron radiators. Pink and purple painted radiators against a garden wallpaper.
#gardendecor #oldradiators — Source: Bisque

I love these two cast iron radiators, painted two different pastel colors to enhance the wall directly above it. These radiators were painted by a UK company, Bisque. The company was founded in 1979 by two plumbers with a mission to pioneer beautiful but practical radiators in the most enticing styles, colors and finishes.

Grey & Metallic Paint Color

Ok, ok, so grey isn’t a unique color for cast iron radiators. BUT I came across these two gorgeous photos in Vintage Cast Iron Radiators gallery, and I had to share.

grey color cast iron radiator - grey can still be gorgeous! — Courtesy of Vintage Cast Iron Radiators Ltd

Both are painted grey, BUT for me, they portray very different moods because of the style of the radiator. The first photo compliments a very sleek, modern look on a simpler radiator style. Yet the grey in this next photo gives a very soft, traditional feel in this sunny room.

[BTW – Vintage Cast Iron Radiators has an amazing gallery of radiators on Instagram for more inspiration].

grey cast iron radiator in sunroom. gorgeous color — Courtesy of Vintage Cast Iron Radiators Ltd

This last one, built by The Radiator Company in the UK, has a antique brassy look that beautifully compliments the rich green wall color and metallic lamp and picture frame.

gorgeous brass cast iron radiator - unique paint color ideas for radiators — Courtesy of The Radiator Company

Not Inspired Yet?

And if you happen to not be inspired by all these gorgeous colors (which how can you not!?!?!) you can always just build a radiator cover….

Close up of radiator cover with title "10 DIY Radiator Cover Ideas — 10 DIY Radiator Covers [With Instructions!!]

What do you think of these nontraditional paint colors for cast iron radiators? Which one was your favorite? Comment below!

Need tips on the best way to paint your cast iron radiators? Be sure to check out this article from Scott Sidler at The Craftsman Blog.

woman with cast iron radiators wondering if she could keep or replace them — Should You Keep or Replace Cast Iron Radiators?

How to Clean a cast iron radiator #castironradiator #cleanradiator #DIYcleaning — How to Deep Clean Cast Iron Radiators

Photo of radiator with Reflectix foil installed. How to install reflective barrier to insulate behind radiator to increase energy efficiency — How to Insulate Behind Radiators for Under $50 [Radiator Reflectors]

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