How to Make Small Spaces Feel
Bigger with Smart Window Treatments
Small rooms can be cosy and charming, but they often pose design challenges, from limited natural light to a cramped or cluttered feel. The good news is that the right window treatments can completely transform how a space looks and feels. With clever use of light, texture, and proportion, your blinds, curtains, or shutters can create the illusion of more space, making even compact rooms feel open, airy, and inviting.
Maximise Natural Light
One of the simplest ways to make a small room feel larger is to let in as much natural light as possible. Bright, sunlit spaces feel open and welcoming, while dark or heavy window coverings can make a room feel enclosed.
Opt for light-filtering fabrics such as sheers or translucent blinds that soften sunlight without blocking it. Sheer curtains paired with roller blinds or cellular shades give you privacy when needed while maintaining brightness during the day.
If privacy isn’t a major concern, keep your window treatments minimal, mount blinds inside the frame or close to the ceiling to maximise visible glass and allow more light to flow through.
Choose Light Colours and Soft Textures
Colour has a major impact on how we perceive space. Light, neutral tones such as white, beige, light grey, and soft pastels reflect more light and make walls appear farther apart.
For small rooms, choose window treatments in pale shades or fabrics that match your wall colour. This creates a seamless, continuous look that visually expands the room. Avoid bold patterns or dark tones that can make the space feel heavy or enclosed.
Soft, flowing textures, like linen-look curtains or light voile fabrics, add warmth without overwhelming the space.
Go High and Wide
A classic interior design trick for making rooms look bigger is to install window treatments higher and wider than the actual window.
Mounting curtain rods close to the ceiling and extending them beyond the window frame draws the eye upward and outward, giving the illusion of higher ceilings and broader walls. This technique works particularly well with floor-to-ceiling curtains, which add vertical emphasis and make a room feel grander.
When open, the curtains will frame the window without covering the glass, letting in more light and enhancing the feeling of openness.
Keep It Simple and Streamlined
In small spaces, simplicity is key. Avoid bulky fabrics, fussy valances, or heavy layers that crowd the room. Instead, go for clean lines and minimal hardware.
Roller blinds, Roman blinds, and cellular shades are great options for compact areas because they fit snugly within the window frame and roll up neatly when not in use. Their minimalist profiles maintain an uncluttered aesthetic, allowing your furnishings and décor to shine.
If you love the look of drapery, choose lightweight fabrics that hang straight and close to the wall for a refined, space-saving finish.
Use Reflective and Light-Enhancing Materials
Mirrored and glossy surfaces can make a room feel larger by bouncing light around. While you might not want mirrored blinds, you can achieve a similar effect with shimmery or satin-finish fabrics that subtly reflect natural light.
In rooms with limited windows, combining your window treatments with other reflective elements, like glass tables, glossy paint, or metallic accessories, can amplify brightness and create a more spacious ambience.
Add Vertical or Horizontal Lines for Illusion
Patterns, when used strategically, can also help manipulate the perception of space. Vertical lines draw the eye upward, making ceilings appear taller, while horizontal lines can widen a narrow room.
Vertical blinds naturally achieve this effect, offering a sense of height while allowing adjustable light control. For a contemporary twist, panel glide blinds with tall fabric panels provide the same vertical emphasis with a smoother, more modern look.
Layer for Depth and Dimension
While minimalism works best for small rooms, subtle layering can add depth and softness that makes a space feel more inviting.
A great combination is sheer curtains layered over roller blinds. The sheers allow light to filter through during the day, while the blinds provide privacy and light control when needed. This dual treatment adds a tactile element and creates a sense of visual richness without making the space feel cluttered.
Choose fabrics in complementary light tones to maintain an open feel while still offering texture and visual interest.
Go Smart with Motorised Window Treatments
Technology is also transforming the way we design small spaces. Smart window treatments, such as motorised blinds or shades, eliminate the need for cords and manual adjustments, giving your room a sleek, uncluttered look.
With the touch of a button or a voice command, you can adjust your blinds to let in more light or create privacy, perfect for compact living rooms, bedrooms, or home offices where efficiency matters.
Smart systems also help manage temperature by automatically adjusting blinds based on sunlight, making your home more comfortable and energy-efficient throughout the year.
Use Consistent Window Treatments Across Rooms
In small homes or apartments, visual consistency helps create flow and a sense of spaciousness. Using the same or similar window treatments across adjoining rooms prevents visual breaks and makes spaces feel unified.
For example, if you have roller blinds in your living area, carry them into your dining or study zones using matching fabrics or tones. This continuity keeps the eye moving and gives the impression of a larger, cohesive space.
Let the Outdoors Expand Your Space
If your room overlooks a garden, balcony, or courtyard, make that view part of your design. Large windows with minimal coverings can extend the sense of space by drawing attention outward.
Use light-filtering roller blinds or sheer curtains to frame the view while maintaining brightness and privacy. By connecting your interior to the outdoors, you blur boundaries and make your small room feel far more expansive.
Common Mistakes When Choosing
Window Treatments for Small Spaces
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make design choices that unintentionally make a small space feel smaller. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
1. Using Heavy or Dark Fabrics
Thick, dark curtains may look luxurious, but they absorb light and dominate the space. In small rooms, they can make windows feel smaller and the room more confined. Choose lighter fabrics and colours to maintain brightness and airiness.
2. Installing Window Treatments Too Low
Mounting curtains or blinds directly above the window frame limits visual height. Always install them closer to the ceiling to draw the eye upward — this creates the illusion of taller walls and a more spacious interior.
3. Blocking Natural Light
Window coverings that remain closed or bulky valances that obstruct glass panels can reduce daylight, making rooms appear dull. Opt for adjustable styles like roller or sheer blinds that allow flexibility between light and privacy.
4. Overcomplicating with Layers and Patterns
While layering can add dimension, too many layers or bold prints can overwhelm a compact space. Stick to simple, coordinated designs that complement rather than compete with your décor.
5. Ignoring Functionality
In small rooms, every element must serve a purpose. Avoid window treatments that are difficult to operate or clean. Choose practical, easy-glide systems like motorised blinds or lightweight roller blinds that suit everyday use.
6. Forgetting Consistency
Mixing too many window treatment styles or colours in a small home can visually break up the space. Maintaining consistency across rooms creates harmony and helps your interior feel more open and cohesive.
Transform Small Spaces with Aurora Window Furnishings
At Aurora Window Furnishings, we believe every space, no matter how small, deserves thoughtful design and comfort. Our range of custom window treatments is crafted to help you make the most of your natural light, enhance functionality, and create the illusion of more space.
Our team of experts provides a free measure and quote service, ensuring your window furnishings are perfectly fitted and professionally installed for lasting quality.
