Why curtains are so important to keep in the warmth
AAny town that has a curtain bank is so very lucky and so are the people that benefit from them.
Unwanted curtains are repurposed and made available for people who do not have the funds to purchase new cutains. These curtains make such a difference to single glazed, cold homes and on top of that, this means zero waste!
Most curtain banks are run by volunteers and it is here they work their magic with donated curtains. Replacing mouldy linings, unpicking, pleating, replacing, stitching. . . you name it .
In return these volunteers get to turn something that has been discarded and unloved into a warm gift for people who really need it.
Where your heat goes
Do you know that a well-insulated home can lose about 45% of heat through its windows. That drops to 30% for an uninsulated home
(but that is only because more heat disappears through the roof and walls). The right window covering will stop nearly two-thirds of that heat from going out the window.
When curtains are closed the air between the cutains and the windows gets cold. When the warm air rises
, the cold air sinks and this creates a vaccum pulling warm air from the ceiling against the cold window. This is called the reverse chimney effect and if you want this to stop happening, make sure your curtains touch the floor or your blinds touch the sill.
Have you heard of honeycomb blinds
Looking very much like honeycomb we see in beehives, these blinds get their name from their cellular nature that actually does look like honeycomb. Think of them like a puffer jacket for windows!
They come in various levels of opacity and translucency,in many different colours with a wide range of cell sizes to choose from. They will also help to reduce sound.
Honeycomb blinds accordion up into a slim profile that can be easily hidden by the header rail. The smaller cell sizes may also be slim enough for you to fit the blind inside the window frame for an even more discrete and contemporary look.
To make the best of your curtains and blinds
You should keep them open during the day over winter to make the most of the sun. Close them as soon as the sun sets to trap as much heat as possible. You should also fix any draughts in the windows – you can detect them with a lit candle.
If you love curtains, keep them heavy and keep them long to get the best out of them as far as insulation is concerned.
And when you have your curtains sorted, start decorating your room for winter
Winter is a wonderful time to refresh your home decor to create a snug and inviting atmosphere. Here are some tips to get you started
By adding comfortable cushions and warm throws to your living room and bedroom you will gain that cosy feel.
Decorate with warm and earthy colours like deep reds, oranges, browns, and golden yellows and bring nature indoors with house plants or lovely big vases of dried flowers and branches.
Create a welcoming ambiance with soft, warm-toned lighting. Use table lamps, candles, or string lights for a cosy glow.
Embrace seasonal scents like cinnamon, vanilla, or pine. Light up candles or use air fresheners to make your home smell amazing and the thought of winter will just float away!