Curtains help

[thefatpotato]

I want to have some curtains done for our living room, to help with heat retention for the winter. I've never dressed a window before so really struggling to imagine what it'll look like!

Firstly, how long should they be? I would ideally go from above the window frame to the floor but then they'll cover the radiator, which seems silly?

I'm in love with this Liberty linen but my budget isn't going to stretch to £150pm. Any tips on where I might get something with a similar vibe?

Here are the windows in question. I am planning on painting the cabinetry in this room Pale Wedgewood by Little Greene (or similar) and like the cottage-y look (but not straying too far into Laura Ashley territory).

Help!

It's not very clear from your photo - do you already have a curtain pole?

I’d probably do them to the bottom of the window/ top of the radiator rather than covering the radiator. The window is the bit you need to cover for heat retention. Make sure you get them with a thermal lining.

I’d measure up and see if a standard size would work as you’ll save money if you can find something you like without going made to measure. We’ve found some really nice, reasonably priced curtains from John Lewis before now.

No we don't. The top of the window frame hits the cornicing.

Thank you.

Rather than curtains, why not have some blinds made? If the curtains stop above the radiator, some of the heat will still end up behind them as curtains aren’t flat to the window, whereas with blinds they can neatly tuck behind the radiator. Also, you won’t need as much fabric so could go more expensive per metre. Something like in the photo but outside the window frame rather than inside.

Oops, photo didn’t upload! Here’s the link instead
www.blinds-2go.co.uk/roman-blinds/36926/william-morris-honeysuckle-and-tulip-velvet-vermillion.html

I'd probably choose just below the sill curtains and fix the pole on the cornice. The pole must extend about 30cm beyond the sides of the window so as not to block the light.

If you can run to it get a (plain) thermal blind and curtains. The blind will help with heat retention.

Do you intend keeping the venetian blinds and just want to add curtains?

The cheapest option for curtains is often ready made and they can be shortened. What heading do you like? Eyelet or gathered ? That can affect the curtain track/pole you buy.

A common mistake people often make is to hang the curtains too low, the track being level with the top of the window. It should be higher than that so I think you will have to drill into the cornice.

What are the sizes of your windows?

Sorry. ut I think that curtains that don't extend to the floor look awful. I would get roman blinds made - than as pp said you can afford better fabric as they require much less.

I think you need a curtain just long enough to tuck behind the radiatorwhen closed if heat retention is your main aim.

However if this is for heat retention only (so evenings?) I would potentially just buy a nice blanket and peg it up when it is cold - we used to do this and it means most of the time you have no curtain and then something very thick when needed. I used an old wool blanket I got secondhand, it looked nice when up and then was folded up on the end of the sofa when not in use.