How can I hide a pug-ugly wall-mounted gas fire without danger of death

[HeroShrew]

I have just moved into rented accommodation that has a minger of a wall-mounted gas heater in the lounge. You know, one of those '70's council ones with the metal grille on the front. Eurgh.

The house has working radiators so although it is fully functioning, I don't need it.

Now, I am not a great one for health and safety awareness. Can I put up a pretty screen / room divider type thing in front of it, or maybe something like this up against it, or will that block the wotsit and we'll all die in our sleep or combust into flames?

how do you hide yours?

oh, and landlord not keen to take it out, I suppose it must be costly.

I just don't clean for a while, I find the layers of dust and piles of kids toys that clutter the living room detract from the fire

If it's not switched on, it'll be fine. If it's leaking fumes when it's off, you'll die anyway :o

Trying to decide which of our posts was the most helpful soupy

memoo, that has always been my outlook to home improvements, and I admit, it has worked well in the past. However, I have been overtaken by Good Intentions with the house move. I barely recognise myself, tbh, it'll never last.

Soup - that is cheerful, thank you.

Could you use a radiator cover, would that cover it or would it be too big?

My old house had one of these and fil made a sort of MDF box to surround it,painted it white sprayed it with some stone effect stuff and put a floating shelf in the middle with some pretty stones on.

It sounds a bit odd but looked a lot nicer than the manky old fire.

some design shockers on this website but the first one isnt too bad?
fire screens

maybe, notasize10, but that feels like a bit too much commitment to me, and may involve a drill. I fear drills.

I think we were both equally helpful, memoo :o

Seriously though, if it's not switched on, there should be no fumes that need to vent and thus no problem with screening it off. If, OTOH, is is leaking fumes when off, it needs to be removed. which gives you another option... Pay a gas man to condemn it and insist the landlord removes it.

some surprisingly nice screens on ebay in amongst the crap

Radiator covers don't involve drilling! You just kind of slot it on. It might involve a screwdriver though- how do you feel about that?

fire screens are meant to show the beauty of the fire behind it though - this is not a beauty that needs showcasing - it's a proper honker.

I need to find someone with the vision (and DIY skills)of pauline's FIL.

I could probably manage a screwdriver. maybe.

It's important to know your limitations, definitely. NMaybe start with a manual screwdriver and build up to the 12v electric powered one that I DH has.

ahahahahaaa that ikea link is not what I meant to put up AT ALL.

Not that it matters, you dear people have answers my questions and I no longer fear death by heater-hiding.

DP has just suggested that we hide it with "a beaded curtain"

anyone got any ideas as to how I can hide him?