Lesser-Known Curtain Hacks To Keep Your Home Warmer

One of the practically free tricks for staying warm and cozy in your home during winter is to look at your window treatments. While many homeowners turn to insulation or window upgrades, curtains — especially the right ones — can be surprisingly effective at trapping heat and blocking out cold drafts. In fact, with a few simple tricks, your window treatments can be one of the easiest and most affordable ways to enhance your home's warmth during chilly months. Some methods are completely free, while others may require a trip to the store, but they are all very fast and easy to implement.

Curtains do more than just frame a view; they play a crucial role in regulating your indoor temperature. From layering fabrics to choosing heavier materials, the right curtain setup can help seal out drafts, prevent heat loss, and keep your space cozy without relying heavily on the heater. By taking inspiration from countries with colder climates, looking at what science teaches us about the thermal properties of air, and investigating what modern technology has to offer, you can confidently make just a few adjustments to your current curtain setup. Best of all, you can maximize the insulating power of your windows and reduce energy costs. Whether you're in a drafty apartment or a house with older windows, these curtain hacks will help you maintain a warmer, more comfortable home all winter long.

Instead of worrying about where to place space heaters to warm up a room effectively, why not try doubling up on your curtains? In fact, hanging multi-layered curtains is one of the most effective methods for cozying up a space. Inspired by the cold-weather traditions of Nordic countries, layering curtains acts like a built-in insulation system. The idea is simple: Combine heavier, thick curtains with lighter sheers to trap warm air between them, preventing it from escaping. Not only does this help keep the heat in, but it also prevents cold drafts from entering, especially through single-glazed windows. In fact, many homes in Iceland and Finland rely on this technique during their long winters, where temperatures often drop well below freezing. And if the technique is good enough for these Nordic countries, it's probably going to work for you, too.

Layered curtains also offer versatility. You can adjust the outer curtains to block out the cold when needed, while the inner layers act as an extra barrier against drafts. It's a simple yet effective hack that can make a huge difference in your comfort, reducing the need for constant heating. If you want to take this further, consider adding thermal lining to your curtains, which is a common practice in colder climates. This lining not only adds an extra layer of insulation but also helps to maintain a consistent indoor temperature.

One of the most tried-and-true methods for creating a warmer home is choosing floor-length curtains with valances. Now before you ask if window valances are going out of style, consider that, for the price of some extra fabric, you could significantly impact how cozy your home feels. This Victorian-era trick was developed to keep homes cozy during colder months by trapping heat and blocking cold air from entering through gaps. If you're trying to save on heating costs, using floor-length curtains is a game-changer, as they create a barrier between your windows and the inside of your home.

The valance, which covers the top portion of your curtains, adds another layer of protection against cold drafts that typically creep in through the gaps above windows. By opting for fabric that extends all the way to the floor, you are creating a barrier between the cold air from your window and the warm air in the room. You are also preventing heat from leeching from the space. Adding thermal or insulated lining to these curtains enhances the effect. And did you know that properly fitted curtains can actually perform similarly to double glazing? This makes them a practical and low-cost solution to help keep you toasty on those cold winter nights.

You've checked your windows and doors for drafts with our brilliant trick, but now you need a quick fix for dealing with the unwanted gusts of wind. By tucking your curtains into the windowsill, you can prevent the reverse chimney effect that can leave the room feeling chilly. The reverse chimney effect occurs when warm air rises to the ceiling and cold air from the window sinks to the floor, pulling heat away from your living space. Luckily, there are several ways to combat it.

The first is to make sure your curtains are fitted properly to the window. Otherwise, cold air will circulate into the room, making it harder to maintain warmth. Another way to prevent the effect is to tuck the curtain up onto the windowsill. This way, you seal off the space between the window and the fabric, ensuring no cold air sneaks in. This small adjustment can significantly improve your home's energy efficiency and comfort. Just be mindful to clean condensation off the windows regularly to avoid any mold buildup, especially in damp climates.

Additionally, consider using wooden pelmets above your curtains to further block any gaps and enhance the insulation. These measures create a tighter seal, keeping the cold out and the warmth in, and can significantly improve your home's energy efficiency during the winter months.

If you thought that curtains were just for windows, think again. There are so many unusual ways to decorate with curtains, and one of the most overlooked yet highly effective ways to keep your home warm is by hanging a curtain over your door.  Heat doesn't only escape from the windows, and doors may also allow cold air to enter. Drapes across your front and back doors can prevent cold drafts from seeping in around gaps. Once again, you save on your bills by being savvy, and a well-placed curtain can keep your living spaces warmer without the need to turn up the heat. This method is highly practical, and for the cost of an extra rod above your door and some fabric, it is also very affordable.

To get the best results, ensure that the curtain you choose is thick enough to block the chill but not too heavy that it becomes difficult to use. For maximum efficiency, consider a magnetic curtain or one with Velcro along the edges, so you can easily seal the door without leaving any gaps. This is especially useful for doors leading out to uninsulated areas like basements, attics, or garages, which tend to be colder. You can also use a curtain in conjunction with draft stoppers or a door snake for extra protection.

Just like you have a thick coat for those frosty days, you should think about heavy drapes as a way for you to keep the cold from your house. Not all curtains are equal, and, regarding window treatments, there are certain things to know before you buy. In the wintry months, curtains made from thick materials like velvet or wool are game-changers and will make a huge difference to the chill factor in your home. These types of fabrics act as a barrier against the outside chill, while also providing insulation to help keep the warmth inside your home. They're the perfect two-in-one solution for those of us who are on a budget. 

If you live in an area with significant temperature fluctuations, heavy drapes are particularly beneficial. They absorb the warmth during the day and release it back into the room as the temperature drops at night. For an added bang for your buck, consider choosing a dark-colored fabric because they tend to retain heat better. You can also add thermal backing to your heavy drapes to further increase their insulating properties. By extending the warmth and opting for curtains that extend from the ceiling to the floor and that are wider than the actual window, you will also create a sense of drama in the room.

Be a student of nature and keep a close eye on the sun during the colder months of the year. Open the drapes during the day, especially on sunny days, so that you can take advantage of its free space-heating properties. But one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your home warmer with curtains is by closing them early in the evening. As temperatures drop at night, windows can lose a significant amount of heat, and curtains can serve as an extra layer of protection ensuring the warmth stays inside for a longer time. This is especially important if you have large windows or poorly insulated areas in your home.

A study conducted by the University of Salford, per This is Money, found that closing curtains at night is one of the easiest ways to retain heat. It can help to reduce your overall energy consumption by 15 to 17%, which is a huge win for your heating bill. This hack helps to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without additional costs. And if you're still trying to build the habit of remembering to close your curtains in time, you can set an alarm so that you don't forget. There are some costly home-heating mistakes to avoid this winter, and failing to close your curtains should not be one of them.

Technology has changed the way fabric is made, and we're loving it. A surefire way to help boost the heat factor in your home is by using curtain reflectors. These drapes work similarly to tin foil placed behind a radiator — yes, the same stuff you use in your kitchen. They are designed to be placed behind your curtains, either as a separate piece or integrated directly your curtain. The reflective surface works by bouncing the heat back into your room instead of letting it escape through the window. This strategy is particularly beneficial for homes with large windows or those located in colder climates where every bit of warmth counts.

You can purchase ready-made curtain reflectors, or, for a budget-friendly option, you can use reflective emergency blankets or a simple layer of aluminum foil — perfect for the DIY enthusiasts. These materials are affordable and easy to install — just place them on the wall behind the curtains or attach them directly to the back of the curtain with a non-permanent adhesive. This will help create a barrier that reflects heat back into the room, ensuring your space stays warm for longer without the need to increase the thermostat. In the same way, there is a reason you'll want to cover your windows in aluminum foil this summer.