Using curtains to retain heat and cosy up your home ~ Fresh Design Blog

It’s amazing what a difference a new pair of curtains makes – and not just in terms of colour, style or design.

One of the common ways in which heat is lost in your home is through the windows. They don’t have to be open to be losing heat either. Any tiny gaps in the frame or fitting can let heat in and if you don’t have curtains or any form of window covering, heat from the room can be lost.

During a season when we typically need to have the central heating turned on, or a log burner in action, there’s nothing worse than paying for heat that isn’t properly retained.

So if you’re looking for ways to ensure you don’t lose heat in your home, here are some top tips for using curtains to retain heat.

Measure up carefully

When it comes to choosing curtains, you need to get your measurements right. Not only will this affect the look of your curtains – you want them to look attractive and be the right length for your window – but it can also affect the draught-proofing ability of your curtains.

For example, if your curtains don’t meet in the middle properly, don’t come to the end of your curtain poles or are too short, they won’t provide the full cosy potential.

If you need some extra assistance with measuring up, check out this useful guide.

Choose a warm fabric

When you’re choosing curtains for use as draft prevention, then opting for a product made from a thicker, warmer material makes sense. They’ll keep more warmth in during the winter and will help your room feel cosy.

A warm colour can help too, but if you’ve set your heart on your favourite design or shade and it’s pale in shade, don’t panic. You can always add some extra warmth to them if required, through the use of linings.

Add thermal curtain linings

If the curtains you choose aren’t particularly thick, or you’d like to add extra warmth, add some thermal curtain linings or blackout linings to them.

If you don’t want to use the linings all year and would prefer to take them out during the warmer months, then keep them as loose linings.

Think beyond windows

Curtains are of course primarily used for windows, but if you can feel a draught coming in under a door, then adding a door curtain might help.

All you need is a simple rail above the door on which to hang the curtain. Normally, for a single door a single curtain will do the job perfectly.

You don’t have to have the curtain in place all year. In the summer you could take it down, or replace it with a lighter voile curtain.

Accessories to cosy up your living room

Of course, there are other ways to help cosy up your home for winter and make a room such as the living room feel warmer. A few specially selected home accessories can pull a room design together and add an extra feeling of warmth and cosiness.

For example, a throw or two on the sofa to cuddle up under at night, some cushions in warm colours or simply lighting some candles can all add a sense of warmth to your living room.

Here are a few suitably apt accessories from the range at Homebase that will enable you to do just that. Best of all, they’re all priced at £25 and under.