Best thermal curtains to help reduce your energy costs this winter

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. 

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.

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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). 

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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.

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.

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.   

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 heated gilet but still want to stay ultra cosy and warm.

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.

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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

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.