Windows make a huge impact on how big or small a home looks. That's why most mansions have rooms that have massive windows in them, and why interior designers urge people to let more window light into their rooms. Many people will claim that how you decorate using window treatments will matter just as much as your windows' size. To determine if this theory is correct, we've searched for the best curtain options for you to make a room look smaller or larger.
Curtains absolutely can make a room look smaller or larger, depending on their design. Thick curtains and dark curtains are known for making a regular room look slightly smaller, while sheer curtains made of lightly-colored fabrics are ideal for helping to visually expand a room's size.
How well you can maximize your room's spaciousness can make a huge difference in the comfort levels you get from your home. Before you check out the curtain section in your local hardware store, please keep reading how you can make the most of your visual space.
How Do Curtains Make Your Room Look Smaller?
It's important to remember that curtains don't always make your room look smaller. There are several elements that can cause your home to look smaller when it comes to curtains. The most common factors that contribute to a small-looking room include having dense curtain fabrics, using dark curtains, hanging curtains low, and using materials that have a dense appearance.
To make your room look larger through the use of curtains, make sure to follow these tips below:
- Make your curtain rods extend beyond the actual window. This tricks your mind to assume that the windows are larger than they really are.
- Stick to light and sheer curtain materials for the interior of your window treatment.
- Add some extra curtain material to the wall to help trick your brain into thinking that the window is larger than it really is.
- Use sturdier materials to frame your windows and hide window edges.
- Avoid bulky patterns and stick to smaller vertical ones, if you want to have patterns at all.
- Hang your curtains far above the top of the window to help let in more light and give you a proper frame.
What Kinds Of Curtains Make A Room Look Bigger?
Getting the right curtains is a must if you want to make a room look bigger. Of course, finding the right ones for your home can be daunting. We did the research to help you find some of the best curtains to help your room look more spacious than ever before.
Opt for long, white curtains made of sturdy material. This semi-sheer yet sturdy pick works with almost every home and will help you make the most of your aesthetics.
Click here to get these curtains from Amazon.
For an extremely sheer fabric on larger windows that reach the floor, it's better to opt for a pastel or white colored curtain. These below will do the trick and also flow beautifully.
Get these sheer voile curtains from Amazon.
Feel like going bold? Select a pattern that will turn your curtains into a statement. Vertical stripes are known for bringing the eye upwards, giving you the feeling of a taller room in the process.
Get these striped curtains from Amazon.
Do Blinds Or Curtains Make A Room Look Bigger?
Generally speaking, the decision between curtains or blinds won't matter as much as choosing the right colors and materials. Both blinds and curtains can make a room look bigger if they are used the right way. With that said, most people find putting curtains together in a room-expanding style to be easier than blinds.
Do You Need Curtains To Make A Room Look Bigger?
This all depends on the size of the windows. Smaller windows tend to need curtains, if only because the curtains can help visually extend your windows' size. However, if you have vaulted ceilings with larger windows and low square footage, then going without curtains might be the smarter choice. You can always dress a window without curtains, though! Check out, How To Dress A Window Without Curtains.
How Do You Make A Room Look Bigger?
Curtains aside, there are other ways to increase the visual "size" of your room and trick people into thinking that it's larger than it really is. The tips below are great for helping increase the size of a room significantly.
Remove Clutter
The easiest way to make any room look bigger is to remove the clutter from it. This means keeping knickknacks to a minimum, making sure that you don't leave clothing lying around, and getting the type of storage that can hide all the extra stuff we all tend to use in our day to day basis.
Clutter doesn't just have to be toys, coats, and statues, either. Clutter can also be found in excess furniture. If you can, stick to minimal furniture to emphasize the openness of your home.
Stick To Light Or Bold Colors
If you've ever taken a look at typical design magazines, you might've noticed that interior designers seem downright obsessed with light colors. Whites, creams, and light grays can open up a home like nothing else. In fact, it's one of the most common reasons why people tend to go for light colors. This even remains true when you add white curtains to your room. Check out, Should Curtains Be Lighter Or Darker Than Walls?
Don't love the idea of being stuck with white? Go for bright colors, since they tend to draw attention to the expansiveness of your room.
Go For Lots Of Light
If there's one thing that helps expand a room, it's brightness. Lighting is the biggest contributor to a room's overall ambiance and one of the best ways to create the illusion of extra space. Think about it. Most of the rooms that you see with a ton of lighting look larger because the light removes dingy corners.
On a similar note, this is one of the main reasons why people tell you to buy curtains that let light flow into your apartment. Curtains that block out light can give your home a cramped look, especially if you don't have lightly-colored walls and lots of interior lighting.
Mirror It Up
Another easy trick you can use to make your room look double its size is to employ mirrors. Mirrors are great for opening a room up and adding additional dimensions. If you're struggling with a smaller room, adding mirror paneling like the one above gives you the illusion of a room twice its size.
Even smaller mirrors will give you an amazing boost of openness in your home. Don't be afraid to mix and match mirrors if you want to give your home an eclectic ambiance. If you're not a "mirror" person due to superstition or personal taste, try to get more glass items in your home. Glass has a similar, yet more subtle, effect.
Try For A Monochromatic Look
Finally, the best way to make sure that you have a wide, open home that stays looking large is to stick to monochromatic hues. To do this correctly, choose a single color and transition from white to that shade. Mix your materials to add more depth, and you'll notice that the room will look more expansive than ever before.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a way to make your home look a little larger, even when you don't have much space, then you're not alone. Thankfully, using your window treatments and personal sense of style can go a long, long way. With a little careful planning, you'd be amazed at how much more homey your place will look.