5 Draft-Stopping Home Solutions that Aren’t Ugly
Chilly winter weather is starting to blow in, and with it comes the annual war we wage against our thermostats. If you’re tempted to turn up the heat, but are scared to open your heating bill at the end of the month, invest in one of these draft-stopping solutions that will help warm up your space, saving you money in the long run. There’s no unsightly bubble-wrapped windows here—these 5 solutions will make your home look as warm and cozy as it feels.
Install clear window insulation film.
Clear window film is not only very affordable (one $7 kit is enough to cover at least a few windows), but if applied correctly, it also won’t interfere with the look of your windows. Follow our tutorial for the proper way to secure the film using just a blow dryer.
Buy this: Duck Brand Indoor 5-Window Shrink Film Kit at Amazon, $7
Buy a stylish draft stopper.
Draft dodgers (aka, those long fabric cylinders placed along the bottom edge of a door) aren’t known for being the most attractive of home accessories. But if you have a drafty older home where the door and flooring don’t match up, a draft stopper can make your home noticeably warmer. Invest $15 in one of Ogsplosh‘s cute washable fabric options, and it will more than pay for itself when you consider the money you’ll save on heating bills.
Buy this: Black & White Draft Stopper at Ogsplosh, $15
Bring back the portière curtain.
Take a cue from stylish homes of the Victorian era and install a portière curtain above a door or entryway. Browse our roundup of inspiration images to see how modern this old-fashioned decorating idea can look. A single curtain rod that extends the width of the door and one curtain panel is all you’ll need to make your entryway feel cozier, like the above image from Hooked on Houses.
Buy this: Cast Iron Tapered Finial Curtain Rod at Pottery Barn, $39-79 + Vintage Velvet Drapery from Restoration Hardware, starting at $179. Look for thicker curtains, like those made from heavyweight linen or velvet.
Hang thermal window curtains.
Thermal curtain fabrics tend not to be the most stylish window treatments, but Target carries solid color and patterned thermal options that will work with almost any decor style. One bonus of buying thermal curtains is that the thick fabric is typically also light-blocking, which can help light-sensitive sleepers.
Buy this: Thermal Shield Jardin Curtains at Target, $18-22. And check out Aurora Home’s dotted lace curtains ($100), which use a gauzy overlay to soften thick thermal curtains.
Combine shades and curtains.
To guarantee that cold air isn’t sneaking into your home through the windows, double up on your window treatments. The first layer, such as a roman shade or roller shade, traps cold air close to the window, while the exterior curtain offers a second layer of protection and provides some visual coziness.
Buy this: Style Studio offers blinds in almost every style—including, roller, roman, pleated, and vertical—and a huge variety of colors. Search their inspiration images for blinds and curtains that pair well together, including the sophisticated gray window treatments in the living room above.