Long gone are those warm Summer nights, now replaced by chillier evenings and less daylight. Sadly, now that Christmas is well and truly over and we’ve taken down our Christmas trees and festive lights, our homes once again start feeling bare and chilly. Not one’s to let the Winter get us down, we’re replacing our festive decor with cosy throws, thermal curtains and cute table lamps. Re-decorating for the New Year has never been easier!
Winter is the perfect excuse to have fun with fabrics, whether you prefer floral, stripes or checks, patterned or plain, or you like to mix and match for a more eclectic feel, a great place to start is curtains! Whether you create that cosy feel through lining your curtains, or through your choice of colour and fabric, our curtain buying guide will get you well on your way to creating a wonderful Winter retreat…
Line them…
Start by dressing the windows with luxuriously heavy, lined curtains in chenille, faux silk or velvet to keep out draughts. Alternatively, when investing in curtains for Winter, pick our interlining option when ordering. Our interlining is 100% cotton sateen lining fabric, with an extra layer of 100% polyester non-woven interlining laminated to the reverse. It increases the bulk of your curtains and their thermal properties, keeping your room lovely and warm! If your curtains aren’t lined but you wish to keep the design the same, invest in detachable linings which can be fitted to most standard curtains.
Be alternative with blinds and shutters…
Curtains aren’t the only way to dress your windows. Thermal energy-saving blinds are a stylish alternative, insulating in winter and keeping rooms cool in summer; they are particularly well suited to conservatories which traditionally lose large amounts of heat through the glass. Investing in energy smart blinds mean you could save up to 25% on your heating bill and give you a room you can utilise all year round – why not take a look at the Thomas Sanderson collection here, or take a tip from the Victorians who used both blinds and curtains to dress their windows and keep the heat in!
Sleek window shutters can also be used to cut out the draughts, as well as adding a beautiful focal point to your windows. Providing instant privacy and shade, interior shutters have been used for hundreds of years to reduce heat loss. If you want to add softer layers, they can easily be dressed up with curtains or voiles. The Thomas Sanderson Laura Ashley collection of window shutters can be viewed here.
Colour play…
Decorating with fabulous fabrics allows you to try out new colours, textures and patterns, without having to worry about making an expensive mistake. Creating a cosy ambience isn’t all about warmth, you can give the illusion of a comfy room with the use of darker shades such as rich berries, purples, and dark greys. Simply inject some darker hues into your curtains for a room you want to come home too.
Dove Grey Josette Curtains | Roses Cassis Fabric | Bacall Berry Curtain Fabric | Villandry Cranberry Fabric | Awning Stripe Fabric | Lori Cranberry Fabric | Summer Palace Cranberry Fabric
The finishing touches…
Of course, creating a warm and inviting room isn’t all about the curtains. Invest in some luxurious throws to snuggle up with on a chilly evening and include plenty of colourful cushions for extra comfort. Practical draught excluders in vintage fabrics can add a quirky feel. To complete the look, use stylish table and floor lamps to create a welcoming atmosphere and choose sumptuous rugs in rich colours for warmth underfoot. Then just sit back, relax and enjoy the winter!
Time to invest in some new curtains? Check out our handy buying guide below:
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