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How to make your home a more sustainable space

Yvonne kneel product designer holding roman blindAuthor Yvonne KealProduct Management SpecialistWritten 07/05/2025

When it comes to living in a more sustainable way, small, thoughtful changes can make a big difference. From monitoring energy usage to turning the lights off in unused rooms and switching over to long-lasting LED bulbs there’s plenty we can all do to help.

Let’s explore some of the more sustainable choices you can make in your home when it comes to your windows.

Pale greige kitchen with windows and doors dressed in silk charcoal mid grey blinds, lowered halfway revealing patio and chairs, dark wood floor, mid grey base and wall units on right, island units on left, jute rug by windows and tall plant in jute basket in corner. 

Seasonal solutions

Choosing the right window dressing can have a big impact on helping to keep your home insulated. But it’s not just heat loss that window dressings can contend with – in the summer months, windows can be a major source of heat gain too. Finding a window dressing that can tackle both problems will help maintain a more comfortable temperature all year round. 

Fully lined thermal curtains are a great way to tackle heat loss. Close them to reduce draughts and block the heat of the sun on very sunny days. 

Shutters offer a little more flexibility. They’re effective at reducing draughts and filtering the sunlight but can do this without blocking views and light completely. 

Try teaming Thermal blinds - such as honeycomb blinds - with curtains for a double insulating layer. The pairing not only looks great‚ but is extremely effective in reducing heat loss through your windows, helping you to create a more energy efficient home. 

Honeycomb blinds trap heat in their uniquely shaped cells to create a barrier at the window.  

 

Are Thermal blinds worth it? 

Duette® blinds, the original honeycomb blinds, are our most effective solution to heat loss, reducing it by up to 55% according to product tests carried out in the University of Salford’s Energy House Laboratory in 2023. 

Buy once, buy well

Buying durable, long-lasting products is a smart, sustainable choice. When it comes to window dressings, it’s better to get it right first time with products that don’t just fit well but are fit for purpose and designed to stand the test of time. You can learn more about our quality standards and why we believe made to measure is best here.

When you’re buying for the long-term there are a couple of things to bear in mind:

Neutral bedroom with tall window dressed in white shutters, right hand partially open, pale mink upholstered bedhead with pinstriped mink and white bedding, cushions in mink and dusky peach, mink upholstered chair, round bedside table with anglepoise lamp and two white blooms in small vase. 

Will I like the same style in years to come?

Flash in the pan fashions are best avoided when buying for the long term. Look for classic styles, such as shutters or simple Wooden blinds. Natural materials like wood can also have a calming, restorative effect. Studies show they may help lower heart rate, while their warm textures and soft light reflection help reconnect us with nature. 

Alternatively, opt for neutral tones, or timeless patterns such as florals, stripes and checks. Velvets, linens and cottons all have longevity in interior design. Painting walls is relatively cheap and easy and can transform a room around the window dressings you’ve chosen for a brand-new lease of life. 

A woman steams a white curtain with a green vertical scribble pattern at a large window. 

Will it start to look tatty?

Regular cleaning will help prolong the lifespan of all window dressings, so you won’t need to replace them. There are a few simple steps to follow: 

  • Keep the window area clean – regular vacuuming and dusting will keep dirt to a minimum and stop it transferring to your blinds, curtains or shutters. 
  • Regularly vacuuming and dusting works for most window dressings too. Go gentle and use the lowest setting to prevent damage. 
  • Don’t use water on metal-based products and mechanisms to avoid rusting. A dry cloth is a much better option. 
  • Keep mechanisms running smoothly with silicone spray. 
  • We’ve more detailed cleaning guides for our different blinds, curtains and shutters offering tips and advice to help keep things clean! 
Living room in cream with windows and doors dressed in faux wood mid colour venetian blinds, fully lowered and tilted, low wooden sofa with cushions in pale peach and watercolour-effect patterns, wooden side unit with large fern, wooden floor with rug in cream with black dashes, light rays on walls. 

Sustainable home décor

Upcycling is a great way to repurpose furniture while helping you create a more sustainable home. A lick of paint can transform an old chest of drawers or a chair, and it means you won’t need to throw your old furniture away or spend money on new items. 

Recycling has come a long way in a short space of time, and there are increasingly more options to choose from when it comes to window dressings, like our Conscious Royal Roller blinds made from 100% recycled polyester. 

In the past, polyester fabrics were often looked down on as cheap and low quality. However, technology has moved on and having recycled polyester fabrics in fashion and interiors collection is a must-have for many brands. Fabrics such as faux linens and silks, look just as good as the real thing but contain recycled materials. 

Other initiatives such as Better Cotton and FSC® show that a brand has made a long-term commitment to sustainability, and we’re delighted that Hillarys is a proud member of both. 

mirage faux wood granite venetian blinds in bathroom

Easy eco-friendly home tips

When combined with the right eco-friendly blinds, curtains or shutters, small adjustments can create an efficient and truly sustainable living space. 

Simple changes like switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, using draught excluders at doors, turning appliances off at the wall or turning your thermostat down by just one degree, can help to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. In the kitchen and bathroom, opting for water saving fixtures and reducing household waste through recycling or composting are easy ways to make your home more ecofriendly. 

  • Oliver Heath sat in a cosy living room with a wood‑burning stove, rustic timber wall and eclectic décor.

    Oliver Heath is best known as a presenter and guest designer on home improvement TV shows including DIY SOS, where he has lent his professional expertise in sustainable architectural and interior design. Bring Oliver’s sustainable style into your own home with these simple tips.

    • Choose natural materials – Use Wooden blinds or shutters to introduce organic textures that promote calm and wellbeing. 
    • Opt for recycled finishes – Pick our Conscious Royal Roller blinds made from 100% recycled polyester. 
    • Bring in biophilic elements – Add floral Roman blinds, curtain fabrics and houseplants to strengthen your connection to nature. 
    • Let in natural light – Use semi‑sheer fabrics to maintain privacy while keeping rooms bright and uplifting. 
    • Increase cosiness with insulation – Choose honeycomb blinds to help trap heat, keep bedrooms snug and support a more energy‑efficient home. 
    • Layer for style and warmth – Pair thermal blinds with soft, luxurious curtains for improved insulation and a beautifully dressed window. 

  • "I'm delighted that Hillarys are using recycled polyester in some of their blinds and that I can be more sustainable at home."

    Oliver Heath, Architectural and Interior Designer

Five key takeaways 

  • Make small switches – Simple habits like using LED bulbs and turning off unused lights can meaningfully cut energy use.  
  • Improve window efficiency – With significant heat lost through windows, insulating options such as thermal curtains, shutters or honeycomb blinds help keep warmth in.  
  • Buy durable products – Long lasting, made-to-measure window dressings reduce waste and the need for frequent replacements.
  • Care for what you have – Regular dusting, vacuuming and proper upkeep keep window dressings looking good and lasting longer.  
  • Think sustainably overall – Upcycle furniture, choose recycled materials and reduce waste to create a more ecofriendly home. 

Looking for more inspiration?

Read more about how we can help you make sustainable choices at home

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