Dressing up small windows is a bit like a magic trick—you’ve got to choose the right curtains to make your room feel more airy and open. But don’t sweat it, because with some savvy picks, you can turn those tiny windows into something that makes your space look bigger and brighter.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the curtain choices that will give your room the appearance of extra space and show off your windows in style.
Tip #1: Choose Curtains That Match Your Wall Color
One of the most effective ways to create the illusion of a larger space is by choosing curtains that match your wall color. It’s like a magic trick for your room—when your drapes and walls are buddies in color, your place looks less chopped up and more spacious.
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Create Visual Continuity
When the curtains blend seamlessly with the walls, it reduces visual interruptions and creates a sense of continuity. The eye flows smoothly from the walls to the curtains, making the room feel more unified and spacious.
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Stretch Out Your Space
With curtains that buddy up in color with the walls, you trick your eyes into thinking the room’s got more elbow room than it really does. It’s a simple change, but it makes a world of difference in opening things up visually. You won’t get stuck on where the wall ends and the curtain starts, making everything feel like one big, open area.
Tip #2: Opt for Top-Mounted Curtains for Vertical Visual Extension
Whenever possible, choose top-mounted curtains to create a visual vertical extension.These lines have a stretching effect that makes your windows look taller—like a visual growth spurt—which is great for making the whole room feel more spacious.
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Lift Your Window’s Look
Just like pinstripe pants make you look taller, vertical stripes have the power to draw the eye upward, creating a sense of height and grandeur. When used on curtains, vertical stripes can make your windows appear taller than they actually are. This visual trick is particularly effective in rooms with low ceilings or small windows.
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Raise Your Room’s Roof
With the right height curtains, your room won’t just look taller—it’ll feel bigger. Those stripes lead the eye up, creating a feeling of more space overhead and breathing some life into tight spots.
Tip #3: Keep It Light: Choosing Sheer Curtains for Small Windows
When you’ve got small windows to dress, it’s best to dodge those thick, heavy drapes. They can hog all the space and leave your room feeling a bit squished. What you want are curtains that keep things light and breezy.
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Say No to the Heavyweights
Curtains that feel like they’re made for a winter cabin can be too much for your petite panes. They soak up all the light and make everything feel more closed in. So, give those heavy fabrics a pass and keep the coziness for chunkier blankets instead.If controlling light is a priority, you might want to explore blackout curtains 101: factors, levels, and benefits to understand how they can serve both functional and decorative purposes in your space.
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Go for the Breezy Vibes
Thin, see-through materials are your go-to here. Imagine fabrics that play nice with the sunlight, letting it dance through while still giving you a bit of cover. Sheer styles like voile keep your room looking and feeling open, keeping that claustrophobic vibe at bay.
Tip #4: Maximize Your Space with Minimalist Window Treatments
When it comes to small windows or limited wall space, embracing simplicity in your window treatments can make a world of difference. Opting for sleek, unobtrusive designs not only streamlines the look of your windows but also creates the illusion of a larger, more open room.
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Keep It Sleek with Simple Designs
For those small window areas, less is definitely more. Skip the fancy, complicated patterns and stick to curtains with a straightforward, clean look. Roller shades are an excellent choice for small windows or rooms with limited space. Their simple, clean lines make them an excellent choice for small windows or rooms with limited space.
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Space-Saving Installation Options for Window Treatments
Also, the way you install them can significantly impact the perceived size of your room. Recessed installation or inside-mount installation are the ideal options to help save valuable wall space and create a cleaner, more integrated appearance.
They are a little bit similar as they both involve fitting the window treatment within the boundaries of the window frame. So how do they do this magic? Take recessed installation as an example, tuck roller shades or honeycomb blinds right into the window frame or even into a cutout in the wall.This keeps them out of the way, saves on wall space, and gives your windows a slick, built-in look that can actually make them seem larger.
Tip #5: Choose the Correct Curtain Rod Placement Method
The curtain rods installation way also has a significant impact. They can really change how big your windows look.
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Go for Ceiling-High Curtain Rods
Try putting up your curtain rods right on the ceiling. This move, called a ceiling-mount, pulls focus upward so your windows seem taller and your ceilings higher. It’s a simple trick to make everything feel more open.
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Let Curtain Rods Stretch Out
For wider-looking windows, let your rods reach out past the edges of the window frame. Known as wall-to-wall mounting, this easy tweak makes your windows look grand and lets in heaps of light when you draw back the curtains.
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Mix It Up: Ceiling-Mount Plus Wall-to-Wall
Want the best of both worlds? Mix ceiling-mounting with wall-to-wall rod placement. Fix your rods from one side of the wall to the other and attach them up top. Your windows will seem huge – tall and wide – making your whole room feel breezier.For those who are new to home decor, properly hung curtains can transform a room, adding both style and elegance. If you're interested in learning how to do this yourself, check out our step-by-step guide on hanging curtains for beginners.
Transform Your Space: Discover Curtain Designs Today
Getting the curtains right for those little windows can seriously open up your space. If you pick curtains that are buddies with your wall color, go for stripes reaching for the sky, keep the fabric light and airy, make sure they sweep aside easily, and choose rods that are thin and trim, you’re setting the stage for a room that looks and feels more like a breath of fresh air. The trick is to let in as much light as you can, cut down on anything that feels too busy, and keep it all flowing together.
Hope the guide helpful to you and may you turn those modest windows into standout features that brighten and broaden your cozy corner!
FAQs about Choosing Curtains for Small Windows
How long should curtains be on small windows?
For curtains in small spaces, think about what you’re going for. If it’s height, let them touch the floor or even bunch up a bit. For a sharp, tidy look, have them end just past the sill. Just avoid too-short curtains—they tend to make things look squished.
Is layering curtains a good idea on small windows?
Layering is tricky with tiny windows—it can get too bulky. If you’re set on layers, pair a sheer layer underneath with a simple, solid drape on top to keep things light and not too busy.
Solid or patterned curtains for small windows?
Stick to solid colors or gentle patterns for small windows to maintain a clean look. Loud patterns can crowd the space, so solids or light textures are your best bet for a neat, open vibe.
How can I make my small bedroom windows more attractive?
Consider layering light, breezy sheers with simple panels or valances for a touch of elegance. Use tie-backs to let in plenty of sunshine, and choose a curtain design that echoes the overall feel of your bedroom.