Tips for Choosing Curtains That Make Small Rooms Look Bigger

1. Colour Choice: Light and Soft Tones
Light-coloured net and backdrop curtains should be preferred in small rooms.

- Tones such as white, off-white, cream, light beige, light grey:
  - Make the environment appear airy.
  - Are easy on the eyes and blend in better with the walls.
- Very dark background colours (black, navy blue, dark brown) can feel suffocating in a small room.

If you absolutely must use dark tones, you can at least balance them by choosing light-coloured sheer curtains.
2. Pattern Use: Small, Simple Patterns
Large, busy patterns create visual clutter in small spaces.

- In small rooms:
  - Plain or very lightly patterned sheer curtains,
  - Fine striped or soft-textured backdrop curtains are more suitable.
- Heavy fabrics with very large floral or bold patterns can make the room feel smaller than it is.
3. Curtain Length: To Make the Ceiling Appear Higher
To make the ceiling appear higher in small rooms:

- Mount the curtain rail as close to the ceiling as possible,
- Use curtains that are close to the floor or slightly longer than the floor.

In short, dressing the wall rather than the window makes the space appear taller.
4. Width: Slightly Wider than the Window
The curtain rail should be slightly longer than the window width. This ensures:
- The window remains uncovered when the curtains are gathered to the side,
- The window area appears larger,
- The room feels more spacious.

A very narrow rail pulls the curtains directly in front of the window, making the room appear smaller.

5. Use of Light: Achieve a Good Balance Between Sheers and Curtains
Natural light is invaluable in small rooms. Therefore:
- Sheers should be as light-transmitting and finely woven as possible,
- Curtains should be gathered neatly to the side of the window during the day,
- Care should be taken to keep the window as open as possible.

Thick, dark-coloured curtains, if kept closed all day, can make the room feel more cramped than it is.
6. Use of Zebra/Roller Blinds
In small rooms, zebra and roller blinds:
- Offer a very practical and stylish solution when the right colour is chosen (especially light colours).
- They do not take up space in the room as they sit close to the wall.

However, zebra/roller models with very busy patterns are not recommended for small rooms as they can create visual clutter.
Conclusion: Less is More, the Secret to Small Rooms
The curtain selection that makes small rooms look bigger can be summarised in three words: light colours, simple patterns, plenty of light.

If you are unsure which curtains to use for the small room or youth room in your home, you can request a free recommendation by sending the room's photo and measurements to Divan Perde.