One of the challenges many designers face when dealing with small spaces is finding the best solution to making them feel bigger. There are ways that this can be done by either drawing attention to the outdoors or creating an illusion that the space is larger than it really is. At The Reflective Designer, we can help you do this with window treatment ideas that are effective in small spaces.
Full-length curtains
Hanging full-length curtains will do several things to help your limited space feel much larger. A low ceiling will feel taller as they drape from ceiling to floor and elongate your wall. This will help to create the illusion that there’s much more headspace in the kitchen than what is actually there.
You can hang curtains that are a similar shade as the wall to help draw the eye outside. This will help to incorporate the outdoors in and make it feel like an extension of the room.
Blinds
If you’re looking to block out light, vertical or Roman blinds are often the preferred solution. However, smaller blinds are better at giving windows a larger appearance. Install horizontal aluminum blinds that can help to make your windows look much wider than they truly are. What’s more, the smaller size of aluminum blinds will help to add the height of your windows as more individual blinds fit into the window than what you’ll get with Venetian blinds.
For those who want to block out as much light as possible, vertical blinds can also make your space appear bigger. Vertical pinstripes are often used in fashion to help people look taller and vertical blinds will do the same for your room. Vertical blinds can have the same effect on your room by making the walls and windows look taller.
Valances
Cover the tops of your windows with fabric valances to draw your eyes upward. Valances are like short drapes that are meant to cover the top foot or two of a window. This lets natural light into the room so you can brighten the room naturally. They also create the feeling of a faux fixture above the window to make them feel taller. Moreoever, you can still install blinds or shades behind the valance to block sunlight as you feel necessary.
Roller shades
Roller shades come on a spring roller that can be easily rolled up entirely or let down to cover as much of the window as you’d like. This allows you to easily adjust the amount of lighting that you’re getting into the room or hide the shade entirely so you can maximize natural light. The single sheet of opaque roller shades makes for an excellent window treatment that creates a level of continuity that seemingly stretches the window vertically.
Plantation shutters
Another versatile option for your window treatments is plantation shutters. You can close up the windows entirely by locking the shutters in place and closing the blinds. This helps to combat solar heat that comes into the room during the summer and helps to trap heat in the room during the winter. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can fly open the shutters entirely to fully expose the windows so flood the room with natural lighting. However you choose to keep your plantation shutters, they’re a crisp and classical look that will make every room look neat and clean.
Let’s connect for more
You can learn more about window treatment ideas for small spaces by getting in touch with our team at The Reflective Designer. Reach out to our office nearest you in Boston or Phoenix. You can also send an email to beverly@reflectivedesigner.com or via our online contact form.
