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Best thermal curtains to help reduce your energy costs this winter

Keep your home warm and help reduce your heating bills this winter with the best thermal curtains to shut out the cold.

By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Mar 8, 2024

Best thermal curtains

With the arrival of chilly autumnal temperatures and energy prices still remaining high, many of us will be looking for ways to insulate our homes and reduce our heating bills as we head towards winter. Along with using a heat-conserving draught excluder, investing in some of the best thermal curtains is an excellent way to improve the energy efficiency of your home and office, making your house cosier as the temperatures outside stay cool.

Thermal curtains work by essentially creating a ‘dead air’ space between the window pane or door and the rest of the room, keeping the heat inside (or out during summer). They can reduce heat loss by around 25% in the winter months, allowing you to have your thermostat slightly lower, so you should certainly see a difference in your heating bills. Pair with the best heated throw and you may have days when you don’t even need to use the central heating at all.

To help you choose the best thermal curtains for winter, we extensively researched the top options recommended by our discerning Mumsnet users, the largest online network of parents in the UK. We then scrutinised suggestions from home and insulation experts and analysed authentic customer reviews to make sure all the products in our shortlist are highly effective. 

Plus, for more cosy Mumsnetter-approved buys, we’ve also rounded up the best winter coats for women, the warmest kids’ blanket hoodies, and the most efficient heated gloves

Best thermal curtains UK: at a glance

1
Best thermal curtains overall

Deconovo Supersoft Thermal Blackout Curtains

What we like
  • Affordable price

  • Sleek, modern look

  • Blackout material

  • Wide variety of colours and sizes to choose from 

What we don't like
  • Some reviewers found darker shades blocked out light better than paler colours

Key specs

RRP: From £22 | Fabric: Polyester | Heading: Eyelet | Colours: 14 | Dimensions: Available in many sizes | Care: Hand wash only

What Mumsnet users say
BarryTheKestrel · Tried & tested
Recently bought some Deconovo curtains from Amazon. Blackout, thermal-lined, soft, thick, brilliant quality and amazingly cheap! They do them in a variety of lengths and colours. Definitely worth a look.”
See Post
Our verdict

Mumsnet users rave so frequently about Deconovo curtains, they deserved the top spot in our round-up. Their Dot Line Foil Printed Thermal Curtains (available in a range of colours and sizes) are a versatile choice for use all around your home, whilst their star designs make a great alternative for kids’ bedrooms and nurseries. 

The eyelet style is simple to slide onto a curtain pole with no hooks or fuss, and they’re also made with blackout material - great if you’re a light sleeper and don’t want to get woken at the first sign of sunrise. The insulating triple-weave fabric is great for holding in (or keeping out) the heat, helping ensure a cosy night’s sleep, whatever the weather. Then, on the chilliest nights, we’d recommend teaming them with the best electric blanket for ultimate comfort. 

2
Best value thermal curtains

John Aird Eyelet Thermal Blackout Curtains

What we like
  • Great price

  • Wide range of colour and size choices

  • Excellent at blocking out light

  • Soft, light material

What we don't like
  • Some reviewers reported the colours were different to what they expected

  • Dry clean only

Key specs

RRP: From £16 | Fabric: Polyester | Heading: Eyelet | Colours: 16 | Dimensions: Available in 10 sizes | Care: Dry clean only

Our verdict

If you’re putting up thermal curtains to reduce your heating bills, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune on the curtains themselves, as this somewhat defeats the purpose. Fear not. There are plenty of options on the market at really reasonable prices and Amazon came up trumps with this pair, starting at less than £20. With a pleated design, these curtains hang beautifully, and the fabric feels soft and light.

With a wide range of colours to suit any room, they’re also made from blackout fabric so are an ideal choice for bedrooms. It's worth noting that some reviewers did find certain colours were slightly different to what they expected from the images, but overall they were happy with the quality for the price. With these locking the heat in and your best blanket hoodie on, you may not need to touch the thermostat at all.

Related: Best women’s slippers for comfort and warmth

3
Best thermal curtain for doors

Dunelm Jennings Thermal Door Curtain

What we like
  • Good quality

  • Great reviews

  • Range of colours to choose from

What we don't like
  • Some reviewers complained there wasn't enough choice in sizing

Key specs

RRP: £40 to £45 | Fabric: Polyester | Heading: Eyelet | Colours: Six including grey, ochre and peacock Dimensions: 213 x 117cm or 213 x 168cm | Care: Clean professionally

What Mumsnet users say
AmbushedByCake1 · Vetted
“I got a thermal door curtain from Dunelm which is great. Makes a massive difference. Had it a few years now.”
See Post
Our verdict

Many Mumsnetters head to Dunelm for everything from the best hot water bottles to the most efficient heated clothes airers,  and their off-the-peg curtains are pretty legendary on the Mumsnet Talk boards. If you have a draughty front door, a nice, thick thermal curtain hung in front of it can make a real difference to the warmth of your home. 

We love this Dunelm door curtain, made from thermal fabric that can bring texture and style to your entrance hallway while keeping the heat in and the cold out. It’s an eyelet heading, so you simply hang a pole over the door and slide the curtain onto it for an instant effect. If you prefer a more statement look, it’s also available in bold ochre or striking peacock (teal). 

Related: Discover the safest kids’ hot water bottles, as recommended by parents

4
Best thermal blackout curtains

Habitat Blackout Thermal Linen Look Eyelet Curtain

What we like
  • Excellent blackout ability

  • Easy to hang

  • Smart pencil pleat finish 

What we don't like
  • Some reviewers noted colour wasn’t quite as expected from the images

  • Dry clean only 

  • Only one colour choice 

Key specs

RRP: £60 | Fabric: 70% polyester and 30% viscose | Heading: Eyelet | Colours: One, olive | Dimensions: 163cm width with a 183 or 229cm drop | Care: Dry clean only 

What Mumsnet users say
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · Recommended
“I have the thermal/blackout Habitat ones from Argos and they've made a huge difference in the bedroom and front room.”
See Post
Our verdict

With a subtle natural weave in a contemporary olive shade, these Habitat Blackout Thermal Curtains can help create the perfect sleeping conditions for your bedroom, blocking out light and keeping your room cosy and warm in winter and comfortably cool in summer. 

Reviewers praised these curtains for their thick, high-quality material and their ability to keep out draughts. Thanks to the silver stainless steel eyelets, they’re also quick and easy to hang on a curtain pole, with a choice of two drop lengths to suit a variety of window sizes. We would like to see a few more colour options available, but all in all, we think they’re a fantastic buy.

5
Best thermal curtain lining

John Lewis Thermal Lining

What we like
  • Neutral colour compliments any pattern

  • Keeps rooms cool as well as warm

  • Easy way to enhance the thermal capacity of existing curtains

What we don't like
  • Can work out pricey for larger curtains 

Key specs

RRP: £8 per metre | Fabric: 70% polyester, 30% cotton, acrylic backing | Heading: N/A | Colours: White or cream | Dimensions: Purchased by the metre | Care: Machine washable at 30 degrees

What Mumsnet users say
Purplewithred · Recommended
“Ready-made separate thermal linings are easy to buy - ours were from John Lewis and they are excellent.”
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Our verdict

There’s something particularly comforting about John Lewis’s soft furnishings department and these linings can be bought online too. Opting for thermal lining is a brilliant idea if you want to improve your home’s energy efficiency but are happy with the curtains you already have. Simply buy as much fabric as you need and reline your old curtains for an instant thermal effect. 

The blackout thermal lining will enhance any set of curtains - keeping your rooms warm in winter and cool in summer. The neutral colours are suitable for any fabric and help them hang better too, reducing creasing thanks to the additional weight.

6
Best thermal curtains for warmth

Dunelm Luna Curtains

What we like
  • Multiple sizes available

  • Stylish design

  • Wide choice of colours

  • Fully lined with blackout coating 

What we don't like
  • Dry clean only 

Key specs

RRP: From £40 | Fabric: Polyester | Heading: Eyelet | Colours: 15 | Dimensions: Available in a range of sizes | Care: Dry clean with hydrocarbon, cool iron

What Mumsnet users say
MontyBowJangles · Recommended
"We now have floor-length Dunelm navy Luna blackout curtains in our bedroom which are fab!"
See Post
Our verdict

Available in a choice of 15 colours, these high-quality thermal curtains are made from a brushed fabric that looks as cosy and luxurious as it feels. They have an eyelet heading that’s easy to fit and hang, so they’ll quickly bring a touch of contemporary style to your home.

With thermal insulation as well as a top-notch blackout coating, they’re ideal for your bedroom but would easily work anywhere in your home. There’s a range of sizes available including longer, full-length drops that will skim the bottom of your skirting boards, and they offer great value for money, looking far more expensive than their price tag.   

7
Best thermal curtains for style

So Home Clever Velvet Thermal Lined Eyelet Curtains

What we like
  • Super-soft velvet

  • Blackout

  • Machine washable

  • Easy-to-hang eyelet header 

What we don't like
  • Some reviewers found they curl slightly at the bottom 

  • Pricey

Key specs

RRP: From £69 | Fabric: 100% polyester | Heading: Eyelet | Colours: Four - grey, green, blue and pink | Dimensions: W117 x D137cm; W117 x D183cm; W168 x D183cm; W168 x D229cm | Care: Machine washable on a delicate cycle at 30 degrees

What Mumsnet users say
burritofan · Suggested retailer
“Are you looking for floor length? La Redoute and West Elm do extra-long ones, often blackout and velvet.”
See Post
Our verdict

Ideal for living rooms or for those looking for longer, floor-length designs, these blackout Velvet Thermal Lined Eyelet Curtains are not only super soft and luxurious to the touch, but they can reduce heat loss and are effective at blocking out light. As well as keeping your home warm in winter, they’re also great for summer as they’ll prevent heat from coming into the house.

What's more, thanks to their eyelet heading, they are easy to put up and can be machine washed on a delicate cycle. All in all, we think they'd be a stylish and functional addition to your home, particularly when you come in from the cold and have to shed your best heated gilet but still want to stay ultra cosy and warm.

8
Best thermal curtains with a pattern

Beauoop Lattice Thermal Curtains

What we like
  • Bold, geometric print

  • Blackout

  • Durable and functional

What we don't like
  • Bold design won’t be to everyone’s taste

Key specs

RRP: From £32 | Fabric: Energy-efficient blackout fabric | Heading: Eyelet | Colours: Choice of patterned designs in three colours | Dimensions: 183 x 132cm | Care: Machine washable

Our verdict

If you’re looking for something a little bolder to keep your home cosy, look no further than these Moroccan lattice-style curtains by Beauoop. These vivid, patterned curtains will provide a stylish focal point in any room, with a choice of three colours to match to your decor. 

Made from an energy-efficient blackout material that can help regulate room temperature anywhere in the home, they claim to block out 95-99% of light. They feel soft to the touch but are really thick, providing excellent insulation. Plus, thanks to their eyelet heading, they’re also super easy to hang.

Related: Best women’s dressing gown according to Mumsnetters

9
Best noise-reducing thermal curtains

Pony Dance Soundproof Curtains for Bedroom

What we like
  • Great range of colourways

  • 100% blackout

  • Noise reducing

What we don't like
  • Not entirely soundproof 

Key specs

RRP: From £29 | Fabric: 100% polyester | Heading: Eyelet | Colours: 12 | Dimensions: Each panel is 137 x 117cm but available in many sizes | Care: Machine wash and tumble dry, can also be ironed

Our verdict

For those wanting to reduce noise and light as well as heat loss, these Pony Dance Soundproof Curtains are a popular choice, with over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

The two layers of heavy-duty lined fabric work well to prevent heat loss and keep rooms cooler in summer too. Whilst the term ‘soundproof’ may be a slight overpromise, they offer significantly more noise reduction than an ordinary single-layer curtain while blocking out 100% of light to ensure a good night’s sleep.

We love the easy-to-hang eyelet header, and with a choice of twelve neutral shades to choose from, you’re sure to find something to compliment your interior aesthetic. 

Related: The best hand warmers to keep your mitts toasty

10
Best thermal curtains with a pencil pleat

M&S Velvet Pencil Pleat Ultra Thermal Curtains

What we like
  • Reasonably priced

  • Choice of stylish colours

  • Super-soft velvet fabric 

  • Thermowarmth lining 

What we don't like
  • Costly 

Key specs

RRP: From £79 to £159 | Fabric: 100% polyester | Colours: Three - champagne, navy and forest green | Heading: Pencil pleat | Dimensions: Available in a range of sizes | Care: Dry clean only

Our verdict

When it comes to cosy buys, you can always rely on good old M&S to deliver, whether you’re looking for the best thermal underwear for women or the cosiest men’s dressing gowns for your DH. 

Described by one reviewer as ‘a duvet for your draughty windows’, these thick and luxurious velvet curtains will look great anywhere in your home and come in a choice of three stylish shades. 

The pencil pleats hang beautifully from either a curtain track or a pole with the addition of curtain hooks. Thanks to their Thermowarmth lining, they can keep cold draughts at bay and avoid losing valuable heat from your room, whilst also reducing daylight when it's time to get some much-needed shut-eye.

How do thermal curtains work?

Thermal curtains work by creating a ‘dead space’ between the window and curtain that prevents cold air from entering the room. They’re like ordinary curtains, but they have an insulated layer in the middle of them that prevents heat from escaping from the room so quickly and stops cold air and draughts coming off the windows. If you don’t want to replace your curtains, you can always just buy an insulated curtain lining and hang behind your ordinary curtains to achieve the same effect.

What material is best for thermal curtains?

Thermal curtains have an insulating layer of foam in the middle of them, as well as a breathable layer that stops condensation from forming. The outer layers can be made of anything from cotton to velvet or linen. The thicker the fabric, the better it will keep out the cold, but you also should go for something that stops moisture from forming on the side that faces the windows, such as polyester or cotton.

Do thermal curtains keep cold out?

Thermal curtains can make a big difference to the temperature of your home, particularly if you have no double glazing or draughty breezes coming in around the windows. However, anything else you can do, including fitting draught exclusion strips around your windows and doors will increase the efficiency of your thermal curtains.

Are thermal curtains the same as insulated curtains?

They’re essentially the same thing - thermal curtains are insulating your home. Some thermal curtains are also blackout curtains, which will make your room darker as well as warmer, but they don’t all do this - so read the packaging closely.

How do you install thermal curtains?

When you fit them, they need to fit the window as snugly as possible to avoid areas where air could get in.

To ensure cold air can’t creep beneath them, you are best to choose curtains that come down to the sill or to the floor.

Can thermal curtains help reduce heating bills?

Yes. Because you’ve insulated the room you should be able to turn your thermostat down a little or have the heating on less often. 

In more scientific terms, they give added R-value (thermal resistance) and prevent U-value (thermal conductivity).  To give you an idea, curtain-makers Deconovo explain it like this: a single-pane window has an R-value of around -1 whereas an insulated wall will be around -15. A properly installed insulated curtain would be around -6, so you can see they make a big difference.

Thermal curtains don’t need to be expensive and they’re also a great option for renters, who may not be able to make more permanent changes to the building, and can take their investment with them should they move.

Which thermal curtains are best for winter?

All the curtains we’ve featured here will help keep your home warm this winter, but honest reviews from Mumsnet users were particularly complimentary about Dunelm’s Luna thermal curtains, which are super cosy and available in a range of colours. See below for our editor's picks of the most stylish shades to opt for.

What are the best thermal curtains?

Of all the curtains we reviewed, we think the Deconovo Supersoft Thermal Blackout Curtains are the best buy. They’re a good price, are super soft and thick and are really effective at insulating your windows. Deconovo is a trusted brand that consumer experts rate highly, so you can’t go far wrong with them.

Deconovo Supersoft Thermal Blackout Curtains

"We got [curtains] made by Deconovo and they are great. Really nice quality and they do the job."

mindutopia

Deconovo Supersoft Thermal Blackout Curtains

From £22

Buy now

About the author

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases. 

Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.

How we chose the best thermal curtains

As always, we began by scouring the Mumsnet Talk boards for real recommendations from real customers. We were looking for glowing reviews as well as for feedback on products that Mumsnetters felt they’d avoid if buying again. Next, we looked at consumer reviews elsewhere on the internet as well as at write-ups from consumer experts on which curtains they felt offered the best insulation and the best value for money.

Finally, we collated all this information into one long list of products before selecting the ten thermal curtains that we felt would offer something for everyone, no matter what your home style or budget.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.