The best curtains for winter are those that provide heavy insulation to trap warm air inside and block cold drafts from your windows. Look for dense fabrics like velvet, suede, or tweed with built-in thermal linings, as they significantly reduce heat loss and lower energy usage.
To block drafts and keep the cold out, look for heavyweight, thermal-lined, or 100% blackout curtains. These feature dense, multi-layer fabrics or integrated foam/fleece liners that act as physical barriers against freezing temperatures.
Thermal curtains are usually better if you want to block drafts and save on energy bills, while insulated curtains are better for total light-blocking and noise reduction. Often, these terms are used interchangeably, but there are key differences you should know.
Thick curtains act as an additional layer of insulation for your windows, which are often the most significant source of heat loss in a home. By providing a barrier between the cold outside air and the warm air inside, thick curtains help maintain a stable indoor temperature.
Here are the top choices:
Material Matters:
The first step in selecting winter curtains is to pay attention to the material. Opt for heavy fabrics like wool, velvet, or thermal-lined curtains. These materials provide an extra layer of insulation, helping to keep the warmth inside and the cold outside.
Martha Stewart famously doesn't use traditional curtains in her homes, joking she could write a book titled "A House With No Curtains." Instead of heavy drapery, she prefers clean sightlines and opts for options that maximize natural light.
To keep the cold out, your best options are plastic shrink-film kits, which create an insulating air barrier, or thick thermal/cellular blinds. For a quick fix, you can block drafts with heavy blankets or a DIY draft stopper.
Martha Stewart avoids curtains in her homes because she is an early riser who relies on the morning sun to wake up naturally. She also prefers unobstructed, panoramic views of her outdoor landscapes and uses minimalist shades to protect her furniture and rugs from fading rather than heavy drapery.
Thermal curtains offer a quick fix for drafts, but they require the curtains to remain shut to be effective. Key drawbacks include blocked natural light, significant weight that requires heavy-duty curtain rods, the potential to trap moisture and cause mold, and higher maintenance needs.
The newest trends in window coverings focus on smart motorization, natural eco-friendly fabrics, and layered dimensions. Homeowners are blending high-tech functionality with sustainable, organic textures to create spaces that feel both elevated and grounding.
Scandinavians often leave their windows uncovered to maximize natural light during dark winters and foster a cultural sense of equality and community transparency. While blackout shades are used for sleep, decorative and heavy privacy curtains are typically avoided.
To keep cold drafts out, opt for heavy, multi-layered curtains featuring thermal, fleece, or blackout linings. Thick fabrics like velvet, wool, or suede insulate your windows and stop heat transfer, with properly fitted, floor-length options providing the best draft reduction.
Curtain trends in 2026 are shifting from purely functional covers to architectural statement pieces. The top looks emphasize rich, natural textures, layered depth, warm neutral and earth-toned palettes, and smart home integration to bring quiet luxury and character to interior spaces.
Yes, blackout curtains absolutely help with heat in the winter. Thanks to their multi-layered, thick fabrics and thermal foam linings, they act as an insulating barrier that prevents indoor warmth from escaping through cold windowpanes.
Replace traditional window drapes with modern alternatives like window films (for a sleek, frosted privacy look), interior plantation shutters (for timeless elegance and light control), or woven wood and Roman shades (for texture and a soft, tailored fold).
Martha Stewart recently went on the In Bed with Paige DeSorbo Amazon livestream and dropped a hot take about how often she swaps her bedding. Stewart revealed that she has her sheets changed every two to three days.
Martha Stewart has been diagnosed with vitiligo, an autoimmune skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment.
Window Insulation Film
Window insulation kits are a more affordable way to insulate multiple windows. Using heat control window film doesn't interfere with the look of your windows. Leaving up to 1-inch space from the window frame border, apply adhesive tape to the entire window.
Cellular Shades
honeycomb-like cell pockets to trap air around your windows, keeping your rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They're one of the best window coverings to keep heat out and to keep cold out. Cellular shades come in a wide range of colors.
About 30% of a home's heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat. Window coverings can help with this loss of energy by providing comfort, regulating temperatures, and lowering energy bills.
Curtains usually look cheap because of flimsy, unlined fabrics, insufficient width (looking like a "flat sheet" when closed), or a length that stops too short above the floor. Additionally, plastic hardware and visible metal grommets often detract from an elevated design, making budget curtains stand out negatively.
Martha Stewart's energizing morning routine
While many of her retired peers are leaning into leisurely retirements, Stewart treats her mornings as a launchpad to gain energy for a full workday, despite only getting four hours of sleep a night. “I read the entire New York Times,” she said. “I do all the puzzles.
To instantly modernize your space, skip stiff, overly formal window treatments and cheap "quick-fix" drapes. Designers recommend avoiding grommet headings, bulky valances, and sterile stark white fabrics in favor of warmer palettes, natural textures, and tailored pleats.