Small windows are naturally energy efficient and bring a sense of coziness to the home. However, their petite size poses a challenge to find a suitable window treatment that dresses them without overwhelming them. But we assure you that even the tiniest window can be big on function and charm when dressed with the right approach. This means that beyond visual appeal, you can get the best possible ventilation, light, and privacy. Some tricks can even accentuate the size of your windows and make them appear larger! Keeping both style and functionality in perspective, here are our top five tips for window treatments for small windows.
1. Pick Lightweight Materials
When choosing the window treatments for small windows, selecting the right material is crucial to allow ample light and ventilation into the room. Window treatments made with lightweight materials help maximize natural light and ventilation in the room while blocking the view from outside to maintain your privacy. Since heavier materials can stifle these functions, lightweight materials are a better choice for small windows. You can opt for sheers as their thin and open weave allows ample natural light and air to stream in. If you are looking for more privacy without sacrificing the benefits of lightweight materials, there are other non-sheer options such as medium-weight linen roman blinds featuring a slightly thicker weave that can give you similar benefits with more privacy.
2. Avoid Layering the Windows
Layering the window treatments may appear bulky in a small space – and by extension, the entire room can feel cramped or cluttered. Also, small windows largely reduce the loss of thermal energy from the room during winter compared to large windows. Therefore, a single layer of right window treatments is enough to help insulate the room while maintaining a clean and streamlined appeal. However, in spaces where layering might seem necessary such as for darkening a bedroom and nighttime privacy, a single layer of blackout window curtains or blinds can completely block the light and view from the outside. Alternatively, a single layer of banded zebra shades is a versatile option that features alternating stripes of opaque and sheer fabric – depending on the need of the hour, you can easily adjust them to get the privacy and natural light you need! So, keep in mind that when dressing small windows, less is more.
3. Mind the Mounting Position
The mounting position of your window treatments plays a significant role in their visual appeal and functionality and therefore decides how long your curtains should be. The choice to make here is whether you should mount them outside the window frame or inside it.
Outside-mounted window treatments like custom roman blinds are beneficial for small windows in two ways when done right. By mounting them a few inches higher and keeping their dimensions a few inches wider than the window, you can make the window seem to be larger than it is. You can also opt for floor-to-ceiling window curtains or blinds to accentuate its size further. Secondly, it will enable complete exposure of the window when the curtain/blind is drawn open, allowing an unhindered flow of light and air. It is an ideal choice when there is ample space around the windows to accommodate the hardware and allow its smooth functioning.
Inside mounting the window treatment, on the other hand, offers a clean and customized finish and is ideal when there is not enough space around the window to mount the hardware outside. To pose minimum obstructions to the influx of natural light and air, opt for sleek treatments such as roller shades or roman blinds that require minimum stacking space.
4. Blend the Color With the Wall
The right color on your window treatments can camouflage the smallness of the window. Window treatments that contrast the walls break the visual continuity and make the small size of the windows more noticeable. But choosing colors that blend with the walls makes it discern the silhouettes of the curtain/blind, thus providing visual continuity. In turn, this color cohesiveness makes the dwarfism of the window less striking.
5. Introduce Patterns Strategically
If you wish to include some depth with patterns on your window treatments, avoid bold and complex patterns as they can easily overwhelm the small space on your windows while making their size easy to distinguish from the rest of the decor. Opt for simple patterns that are in color harmony with the walls to visually blend them and thus prevent them from looking bulky. Simple patterns like vertical stripes will not only save your window treatments from appearing busy but even accentuate the sense of space! Along with a clean and minimalistic appeal, vertical stripes tend to guide the eyes upward along their lines and therefore accentuate the size of small windows.
Conclusion
Despite sharing a small space on your walls, the way you dress your small windows has a big impact on the room’s overall appeal and mood. Finding the right window treatments is all about capitalizing on perception while maintaining practicality. Even if you have a small space to work with, you can easily style your windows with a thoughtful approach like picking light hues or adding vertical stripes as patterns to create the illusion of larger windows. With these tips as your guide, you can confidently dress your small windows without going overboard with your styling choices. While they add visual interest in your decor, rest assured that they will work to the hilt to provide you the best functional benefits.
