How to Choose the Right Window Treatments for the Darker Winter Months
What window treatments work best in winter?
If you’ve ever wondered which fabrics, linings or window treatment combinations make a room feel warmer, softer and more inviting during the winter months, this article takes you through the exact recommendations we make for clients who want to improve comfort, lighting and insulation at this time of year.
Who This article Is For?
This article is perfect for homeowners wanting to improve warmth, comfort and style during winter - especially across Wetherby, Harrogate, York, Leeds, and the surrounding Yorkshire villages.
Whether you’re looking to refresh a single room or a full home redesign, we take care of every detail (from design through to installation).
Key Takeaways
Layered blinds and curtains create warmth, softness and privacy
Hanging curtains higher and wider improves proportion and light
Winter-friendly fabrics like wool and velvet add natural insulation
Thermal, blackout and interlinings enhance warmth and drape
Automation adds ease and supports a cosy winter routine
Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Rethink Window Treatments
Winter has a way of revealing which rooms feel slightly unfinished. As afternoons darken earlier and the light drops lower, windows become a focal point - often highlighting where warmth, privacy or softness is missing. This is why December and January are some of the busiest months for clients updating their curtains and blinds.
The right window treatments don’t just look elegant; they completely change the way a room feels and functions during the colder season, adding insulation, depth and a sense of calm.
How Layering Blinds and Curtains Creates Warmth
Layering is one of the most effective ways to make a room feel instantly cosier. A Roman blind provides daytime privacy and gentle light control, while full-length curtains add depth, warmth and softness in the evenings.
This combination works especially well in living rooms and bedrooms - and is often the secret to creating that inviting, hotel-like feel people love in winter.
How to Hang Curtains Higher and Wider for a Bigger, Brighter Look
Small adjustments in placement can radically change the look and performance of window treatments. Mounting your pole or track higher than the top of the window - usually around 15 to 20cm - instantly elongates the room and gives the illusion of taller ceilings. Extending it beyond the window frame prevents natural light being blocked.
These subtle shifts open the space visually, brighten the room and create a more elegant, tailored finish.
Best Fabrics for Winter Window Treatments
Fabric choice plays a significant role in both warmth and overall atmosphere. Winter is the perfect season to lean into richer textures that feel both comforting and luxurious.
Wool and wool blends bring structure and excellent insulation.
Velvet adds softness, weight and depth.
Heavier linens introduce a natural, relaxed warmth.
When paired with the right linings and interlinings, these fabrics transform the room into a space that feels beautifully cocooned.
Choosing the Right Linings and Interlinings for Winter
Linings are just as important as the fabric itself. Thermal linings help retain heat, blackout linings improve sleep in winter mornings, and interlinings add a layer of softness that enhances both drape and proportion.
We often combine several layers to achieve the perfect finish - the kind of fullness and warmth that makes curtains look tailored and luxurious.
Why Curtain Length Matters More in Winter
Curtains always look best when they reach the floor. Whether you prefer a precise contemporary skim or a more relaxed puddled look, winter is not the time for curtains that hover awkwardly above the skirting board. Full-length curtains create a sense of comfort and elegance, especially during the darker months.
Even a few millimetres make a significant difference to the final result.
How to Choose the Right Pole or Track
Hardware frames the entire design. Brass, bronze, walnut and matte black each bring a different mood to the space. For bay windows or wide spans, we specify bespoke templated curved tracks that allow curtains to move smoothly and maintain their shape over time.
The right hardware ensures longevity as well as beauty.
Why Automated Curtains and Blinds Are Ideal in Winter
Automation is becoming increasingly popular during winter for good reason. Setting your blinds or curtains to close as daylight fades creates a natural evening routine, improving privacy, security and reducing heat loss without you having to think about it.
It’s a small shift that makes an enormous difference to comfort - especially in homes with large glazing.
Winter Window Treatment Mistakes to Avoid
Some common issues are easily fixed once you know what to look out for. Curtains fitted too low or too narrow shrink the window visually. Fabrics that are too light or unlined offer little insulation. Cheap blackout linings can crack in colder temperatures. And ignoring the direction of natural light often leads to rooms that feel dimmer than necessary.
Fortunately, these mistakes are quick to correct with the right design plan.
FAQ’S
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Yes - particularly in older homes or rooms that feel naturally colder.
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Wool, velvet and heavyweight linens create excellent warmth and visual softness.
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Not when paired with Roman blinds. They still allow softened light during the day while blocking early morning brightness.
Ready to Choose the Perfect Winter Window Treatments?
Our designers can guide you through the best fabrics, linings, combinations and hardware for your home, and take care of everything from design to installation.
You can book a Discovery Appointment here, or call 01937 581451 (visits by appointment only).