Insulate Your Curtains
“If you know you can do better...then do better.”
Did you know that curtains can save you money? They are not only beautiful decor and functional for privacy, but they can also offer substantial insulation for your home when done right. Some stats say as much as 50% energy retention!
The key to success is making sure they are hung close to the wall and to the floor so as to prevent as little cold air between the window and the living space escape as possible. However, if your curtains are unlined like so many are, they’re only doing a fraction of the work they could be! The answer is to simply add an insulated curtain liner and you will enjoy a less drafty room and lower heating bills!
Investment
Money | $20 - $30 depending on size
Time | 30 minutes
Supplies*
Straight pins, drapery hooks, needle and thread or sewing machine
Steps
Measure width of window and divide by two. This is how wide each panel needs to be (can be a little larger, but no less) and then measure the length of your existing curtain panel to determine the height. The insulated panels do not need to be the same width as the curtains, just wide enough to cover the window when closed and should be a just a few inches shorter than your curtain so they don’t poke out, yet hang evenly.
Remove curtain panels and evaluate the best way to install the panels. Drapery hooks pulled on my thin curtains too much to look attractive and I didn’t like the ring option because I didn’t want to see them on the rod. For my daughter’s bedroom curtains, I opted to simply use straight pins about every 1 ½” and it worked just fine. No one is ever going to see them or touch them and I’ll replace them before I ever wash them! :) For my office curtains, I opted to sew the liner in straight across the existing seam. The video below includes more detail and “how to!”
When installing the panel, put the back/seam side of the panel towards the inside of your curtain fabric so it looks nicer from the street. When I sewed the panel in, I also flipped it over so it was technically upside down because it was easier to sew and the heavier “top” actually provided more insulation at the bottom by acting like little weights.
Hang the curtains back up. If you own a steamer, I recommend steaming the liner so it looks nicer for curbside appeal. :)
Enjoy a warmer room and energy savings!
Enjoy the Project
Playlist | Very Nearly Nashville by Spotify
Wine | It’s too late and cold… Baileys & Coffee!
*My site may contain affiliate links where I receive a small percentage of commission from the company for sales generated on behalf of my blog. Your price does not increase, and I never include links for any products I don’t use, like and recommend. Thanks for your support!
Investment
Money | $20 - $30 depending on size
Time | 30 minutes
Supplies*
Straight pins, drapery hooks, needle and thread or sewing machine
Steps
Measure width of window and divide by two. This is how wide each panel needs to be (can be a little larger, but no less) and then measure the length of your existing curtain panel to determine the height. The insulated panels do not need to be the same width as the curtains, just wide enough to cover the window when closed and should be a just a few inches shorter than your curtain so they don’t poke out, yet hang evenly.
Remove curtain panels and evaluate the best way to install the panels. Drapery hooks pulled on my thin curtains too much to look attractive and I didn’t like the ring option because I didn’t want to see them on the rod. For my daughter’s bedroom curtains, I opted to simply use straight pins about every 1 ½” and it worked just fine. No one is ever going to see them or touch them and I’ll replace them before I ever wash them! :) For my office curtains, I opted to sew the liner in straight across the existing seam. The video below includes more detail and “how to!”
When installing the panel, put the back/seam side of the panel towards the inside of your curtain fabric so it looks nicer from the street. When I sewed the panel in, I also flipped it over so it was technically upside down because it was easier to sew and the heavier “top” actually provided more insulation at the bottom by acting like little weights.
Hang the curtains back up. If you own a steamer, I recommend steaming the liner so it looks nicer for curbside appeal. :)
Enjoy a warmer room and energy savings!
Enjoy the Project
Playlist | Very Nearly Nashville by Spotify
Wine | It’s too late and cold… Baileys & Coffee!
*My site may contain affiliate links where I receive a small percentage of commission from the company for sales generated on behalf of my blog. Your price does not increase, and I never include links for any products I don’t use, like and recommend. Thanks for your support!
