Edinburgh windows ask more of a curtain than most. Tall Victorian sashes, elegant bay windows and draught-prone period frames bring exceptional character, but they can also make a room feel cold, exposed or acoustically hard. The best curtains for Edinburgh windows bring softness and insulation to these architectural features while preserving the proportions that make them so special.

A well-chosen curtain is not simply a finishing touch. It can make a lofty drawing room feel inviting on a winter evening, give a street-facing bedroom welcome privacy, and introduce colour, texture and a sense of considered luxury. The right choice depends on the window, the room’s orientation and how you live in it.

Start with the character of the window

Edinburgh’s homes range from Georgian townhouses with generous ceiling heights to compact modern flats, so one curtain style will never suit every setting. The most successful schemes respect the scale and period details already present.

For tall sash windows, curtains should usually be fitted high above the frame and allowed to fall close to the floor. This approach emphasises height and creates a more generous, tailored look. A pole or track mounted too low can visually cut the window down, particularly in a formal room with cornicing or a picture rail.

Bay windows deserve equally careful consideration. A made-to-measure curved track lets curtains follow the line of the bay neatly, rather than gathering awkwardly at each angle. Where the bay is used as a reading nook or dining area, a lighter fabric may be preferable during the day, with a fuller lined curtain providing comfort after dark.

Modern homes often benefit from a cleaner treatment. A simple wave heading on a discreet track creates soft, even folds without competing with contemporary architecture. The result is relaxed yet polished, especially when the fabric is chosen to echo the tones found in upholstery, rugs or wall finishes.

Best curtains for Edinburgh windows: prioritise warmth

The Edinburgh climate makes thermal performance a worthwhile part of the design brief. Older windows can lose warmth around frames and glazing, while rooms with high ceilings may feel cooler than their dimensions suggest. Curtains cannot replace proper glazing or draught-proofing, but a thoughtfully specified lining can make a meaningful difference to everyday comfort.

For living rooms and bedrooms, consider a quality thermal lining or interlining. Thermal lining adds body and helps reduce heat loss, while an interlining - a soft layer placed between the face fabric and lining - gives curtains a fuller, more luxurious drape. It is particularly effective in formal reception rooms, principal bedrooms and period properties where a sumptuous finish complements the architecture.

There is a trade-off. Heavier curtains need a suitably strong pole or track, and very thick fabrics can feel overpowering in a small room. In a compact bedroom or a south-facing space, a medium-weight linen blend with thermal lining often provides a more balanced answer. You retain softness and insulation without making the window feel cumbersome.

For draughty sash windows, ensure the curtains are generously wide and overlap the window opening. Curtains that barely cover the glass leave gaps for cold air to circulate. A proper made-to-measure allowance, with enough return at each side, creates a more effective and far more elegant finish.

Choose fabric for light as well as luxury

Fabric determines how a room feels from morning to evening. Edinburgh’s low winter light can make dark or densely woven curtains appear richer and more enveloping, yet the same choice may feel heavy in a north-facing room. The aim is to create atmosphere without losing the light you value.

Velvet remains a beautiful choice for grander rooms and bedrooms. Its depth of colour, gentle sheen and natural sense of occasion suit traditional interiors particularly well. Deep olive, warm ochre, midnight blue and soft berry tones can look striking against Edinburgh stone, painted panelling or original timberwork. Velvet is also an excellent partner for interlining, producing dramatic folds that hold their shape.

Linen and linen-look fabrics bring a more relaxed refinement. Their subtle texture works beautifully in kitchens, garden rooms and contemporary living spaces, especially in softer shades such as oat, stone, sage or chalk. Pure linen has a graceful, informal character, although it may crease more readily and offers less blackout performance than a heavier woven fabric.

Wool-blend curtains are an understated choice for homes that need warmth and texture. They lend depth without excessive shine and sit naturally within neutral, heritage-inspired schemes. In rooms with lots of hard surfaces - timber flooring, stone fireplaces and high ceilings - wool can also help soften the acoustics.

Pattern should be selected with proportion in mind. A large-scale botanical or geometric print can bring personality to a broad bay or a generously sized sitting room. On a narrow window, a smaller-scale design or a textured plain is usually more flattering. If the room already has patterned wallpaper, artwork or statement furniture, curtains in a complementary plain often allow the wider scheme to breathe.

Decide how much privacy and darkness you need

A beautiful curtain scheme needs to work after sunset as well as in daylight. Street-level rooms, close neighbours and bright summer mornings can all influence the specification.

For bedrooms, blackout lining is often the most practical choice. It supports better sleep and is especially useful where bedroom windows face early morning light. Blackout curtains do not have to look utilitarian: paired with a luxurious face fabric, they retain a soft, tailored appearance while providing proper light control.

In living rooms, privacy lining or a separate sheer curtain can offer a gentler solution. Voiles soften the view from the street and filter daylight without closing the room off completely. They are particularly effective on large windows where bare glass can feel exposed during the darker months.

Layering sheers with fuller curtains also adds visual depth. During the day, the sheers give the room a light, composed look. In the evening, drawing the main curtains creates warmth, privacy and a more intimate atmosphere. This layered approach suits both classic Edinburgh properties and refined contemporary interiors.

Select a heading that suits the room

Curtain headings are a small detail with a significant effect on the final look. Pencil pleat headings are versatile and offer a traditional gathered finish, making them suitable for many homes. They work well on poles and tracks, though the finish is less structured than more tailored alternatives.

Wave curtains are ideal for modern spaces or rooms where you want an uncluttered, flowing line. The folds remain evenly spaced, creating a calm, architectural feel. They are usually fitted on a specialist track, so accurate measuring is essential.

Double or triple pinch pleats deliver a more formal, crafted appearance. Their fixed folds sit beautifully in dining rooms, master bedrooms and period reception rooms, particularly when combined with a decorative metal or painted wooden pole. They use more fabric than a wave or pencil pleat, which adds cost, but the result is unmistakably luxurious.

Eyelet curtains are easy to handle and work well in informal settings, but they are generally less suited to a grand bay or a traditionally detailed room. Where a home has original features, a discreet track or elegant pinch pleat heading will often feel more in keeping.

Get the proportions right

Even exceptional fabric can disappoint if the measurements are not considered properly. Curtains should normally finish just above the floor, kiss the floor, or pool very slightly depending on the mood you want. A clean break is practical and tailored; a gentle puddle feels more romantic but needs more care in busy family rooms.

Width matters too. For a full, luxurious appearance, curtains require substantially more fabric than the width of the window itself. The exact fullness depends on the heading and fabric weight, but skimping on cloth is one of the quickest ways to make a scheme look flat. Made-to-measure curtains are crafted around these details, giving the folds enough depth to look beautiful both open and closed.

Where radiators sit beneath windows, curtains can still be fitted to the floor for the most elegant effect. Leaving them very short to avoid the radiator often interrupts the room’s proportions. Instead, consider thermal controls, a suitable lining and allowing air to circulate when the curtains are drawn.

Pair curtains with other window treatments

Curtains can stand alone, but pairing them with a Roman blind or plantation shutters often creates a more considered solution. A Roman blind adds privacy and softness during the day, while full-length curtains frame the window and provide insulation at night. This is particularly useful in bedrooms and street-facing sitting rooms.

Plantation shutters bring structure, adjustable light control and a timeless finish to sash windows, with curtains adding colour and warmth around the frame. The combination works beautifully where the window itself is a focal point and you want practical privacy without sacrificing a layered interior look.

At Harvey Bruce Blinds, Shutters & Interiors, made-to-measure guidance begins with the whole room, not just the glass. Fabric, heading, lining and hardware should all sit comfortably alongside your furniture, lighting and chosen colour palette.

The most refined curtain schemes feel effortless because every practical decision has been quietly resolved. Bring fabric swatches into the room, look at them in changing daylight, and choose a treatment that makes you want to draw the curtains early on a crisp Edinburgh evening.