If you are looking to keep the cold air out without blocking the little bit of light that comes in, use the plastic that you shrink with a hair dryer. If you don't care about the light, put a Styrofoam sheet, cut to fit the whole window opening and perhaps cover that with cardboard that you can cover with fabric or decorate to suit the room.
You can get sheets of plastic specially made for windows. Most of them offer a variety of designs to dress your windows up a little. You simply cut them to fit the inside of your windows. They allow sunlight to shine through, but obscure the view to keep things private within the room. I did this for an octagon shaped bathroom window years ago and it looks attractive, easy to clean and no fabric or curtain rods needed. Last year I got more of this decorative plastic window covering and used it on my basement windows -- much better (and easier) than hanging fabric. I have seen this plastic in hardware stores, but I got mine through one of those mail order catalogs that come to your home all the time. Be sure to read the instructions, as it is important to thoroughly clean the windows before placing the plastic on them (otherwise it won't hold).
You can purchase bubble wrap made specifically to insulate windows. If you don’t need the light, the frugal way would be to cover them with blankets.
We already insulated with clear plastic over windows, but the hardwood floor still very cold. What can we do to keep the floor warmer that means the room warmer in wi...
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inside or outside
If you are looking to keep the cold air out without blocking the little bit of light that comes in, use the plastic that you shrink with a hair dryer. If you don't care about the light, put a Styrofoam sheet, cut to fit the whole window opening and perhaps cover that with cardboard that you can cover with fabric or decorate to suit the room.
I would choose lined curtains or drapes.
You can get sheets of plastic specially made for windows. Most of them offer a variety of designs to dress your windows up a little. You simply cut them to fit the inside of your windows. They allow sunlight to shine through, but obscure the view to keep things private within the room. I did this for an octagon shaped bathroom window years ago and it looks attractive, easy to clean and no fabric or curtain rods needed. Last year I got more of this decorative plastic window covering and used it on my basement windows -- much better (and easier) than hanging fabric. I have seen this plastic in hardware stores, but I got mine through one of those mail order catalogs that come to your home all the time. Be sure to read the instructions, as it is important to thoroughly clean the windows before placing the plastic on them (otherwise it won't hold).
You can purchase bubble wrap made specifically to insulate windows. If you don’t need the light, the frugal way would be to cover them with blankets.