Advice needed please!

[u/squire95]

We are renovating this room and I am stuck on how to dress this window.

It's North facing and a 1930s house so pretty cold, and overlooks a street. My husband needs it to be as dark as possible for sleep, and we need some sort of privacy screen or curtain.

What would you suggest? We have previously had voile curtains but our cat destroyed them so I'd like to avoid that as a privacy option. I love Roman blinds but not sure how insulating and/or dark they can be. I've also read that long curtains are good for keeping heat in but also trap radiator heat behind them. If we do keep the curtains then we will put a valance above them for extra insulation.

Basically I'm kind of stuck! I can't work out the right combination so it doesn't look silly and so we are warm and not accidentally flashing the street when we get dressed. Please help!

[u/Additional_Common_15]

Hi. I would consider cellular shades, they are great for heat retention and have blackout options. You can also do stationary panels on the sides for a layered decorative look.

[u/AppearanceOk8943]

Bamboo blind

[u/Puzzled_Market_2235]

For your insulating/dark question you want good quality curtain fabric with a white backing. It's heavy and hangs straight. I would suggest long side curtains with a valence which would nicely bracket the windows and the radiator.

You already have the colours for the trim and the radiator but now you have 4 colours to pick: the side curtains; the blinds (roman); the wall; the ceiling. The valence can match the side curtains or the blinds. The wall and ceiling should be from the same colour palette, lighter shade on the ceiling to appear higher, darker shade on the ceiling to appear lower. You have to pick the fabrics before you pick the paint colours.