Thermal curtains in the bedroom: combining darkness and warmth

A good bedroom needs calm in the evening and the right darkness at night. At cold windows, a heavy thermal curtain can also make the room feel more comfortable. When choosing, it pays to consider light protection and heat protection separately: not every blackout curtain is automatically a thermal curtain – and vice versa (more on this: thermal curtain or blackout curtain).

What should the curtain do?

Start with the conditions in the room. Is the bedroom on a busy street, does early morning light disturb you, or is the bed right next to a cold window? Depending on the answer, blackout, privacy or a tight seal at the window matters most.

• For darkness: choose a dense blackout fabric with as little light at the sides as possible.
• For a warmer feel: look for heavy, multi-layer or quilted fabrics.
• For both: choose an opaque thermal fabric and plan it wide enough.

Planning width and length in the bedroom

A thermal curtain should cover the whole window. So don't just measure the glass: include the frame and the overlap you want at the sides. A track close to the ceiling makes the wall look taller; an overlap at the sides reduces gaps at the edges.

For floor-length windows, the fabric ideally ends just above the floor. Above a radiator, however, the curtain should end or be openable so that the heat can reach the room. Also check whether bedside tables, window handles or radiator valves get in the way of the fabric.

Single layer or with a day curtain?

If you want to keep natural light during the day, a combination of a light day curtain and a dense thermal layer can be practical. The day layer stays closed during the day, and you draw the thermal curtain in the evening. With a single layer, weigh up whether blackout and privacy matter more than a light, sheer look.

Colours and fabric effect

Dark fabrics often look particularly closed; light natural tones can blend more calmly into a bedroom. The effect on light also depends on the weave, lining and finish. Fabric samples help you judge colour and feel in your own light.

For a dense, quilted fabric, take a look at the quilted BTTO thermal curtain. Check the product details on size, hanging and care before ordering. Made to measure, the Titan thermal blackout curtain combines heat protection with about 90 % light reduction. More models are in blackout curtains and thermal curtains.

Quick checklist before buying

• Do you need full blackout or mainly privacy?
• Is the window covered including the sides?
• Can warm air from the radiator flow freely into the room?
• Does the hanging method fit your existing track or rod?
• Does the fabric's care suit your routine?

If you clarify these points in advance, it is easier to find a thermal curtain that suits your window, sleeping habits and furnishings. How to measure for it is explained in measuring thermal curtains.