How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger with Curtains & Blinds
By Ana Zuravliova
Whether in small houses that have stood in our towns and cities since the Victorian era, or the post-war boom in apartments, bungalows and flats – we have increasingly made our homes in compact spaces.
Follow our space-saving tips below to discover how thoughtful design, especially window dressing, can help you make the most of every room.
Table of contents
The shift to smaller places
The United Nations predicts almost 70 per cent of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. As this is most likely an accurate prediction, we need to think carefully about how to best use the space available to us.
Ideas for room dividers in multifunctional spaces
Many homes today feature multifunctional spaces, particularly in small flats, studio-style layouts and open-plan living areas, primarily shared living rooms and kitchens. Ordinarily, these spaces would be fine as they stand; however, with many living in shared houses or one-bedroom flats with a partner, it is easy to feel a lack of private space, especially with multiple people working in the same area.
Many have tried to install temporary room dividers using open-backed shelving. While this can look great and provides a valuable storage function, it can feel bulky in small spaces and would take serious time and energy to revert the space back and enjoy its open-plan nature when hosting friends or holding a little party.
A more popular choice for partitioning multifunctional areas is the use of soft materials to separate the functions of an open space. A great way to achieve this is to invest in a high-quality curtain. With a wide range of materials, patterns, and colours to consider; you can’t fail to find one that will integrate well into your chosen décor. Not only will it look fantastic, but it will also help you get the most from your space, and it is a perfect example of effective small space window treatments.
Add vertical lines and tall furniture to draw the eye upward – vertical stripes in curtains or blinds, or tall bookshelves, can make walls feel higher and rooms more spacious. Mirrored furniture or metallic accents can also reflect light and open up the space, creating a visually larger effect. Declutter surfaces and consider floating or built-in storage to keep your space feeling airy.
To help you then enjoy your managed space, consider bringing nature into your home. Potted plants and mini gardens are great ways to help us enjoy our small spaces even more. You could even enhance your windowsill garden with a floral or nature inspired window furnishing. Wooden Venetian blinds, floral Roman blinds and modernno drill blinds or perfect fit blinds are great places to start your deliberations, adding texture and warmth without overwhelming a smaller room.
If you’re looking for ways to make a small room look bigger with curtains and blinds, there are a few simple tricks you can try:
5. Maximise Natural Light
Open curtains or blinds fully during the day to let in maximum sunlight. For even greater flexibility in a small room, consider installing double roller blinds or day & night blinds, which allow you to switch between light-filtering and blockout layers. This gives you the perfect balance of natural light during the day and privacy at night — all without overcrowding your windows. Mirrors opposite windows can reflect daylight around the room, making your window treatments work even harder to open up the space. You can also use floor lamps, wall sconces, or pendant lighting to brighten darker corners and enhance the overall feeling of space.
6. Styling Tricks to Open Up Space
- Go for floor-to-ceiling curtains to make the room feel taller.
- Use continuous curtain rails across multiple windows to give a sense of width.
- Keep curtain hardware minimal to reduce visual clutter.
- Angle your furniture slightly instead of pushing everything against walls to improve flow and make spaces feel less cramped.
- Use multifunctional pieces like ottomans with storage or extendable dining tables to maximise utility without overcrowding.
- Choose one or two statement pieces rather than many small items to give personality without making the space feel busy.
1. Hang Curtains High and Wide
Pop your curtain rods a little closer to the ceiling and let the curtains stretch beyond the edges of the window. This draws the eye upwards, making the walls feel taller, and gives even the tiniest windows a wider, more open appearance. It’s a simple but really effective trick for small flats or studio spaces.
2. Choose Light-Coloured or Sheer Fabrics
Sheer curtains are brilliant for letting natural light flood the room, making it feel airy and open. Soft neutrals – think creams, whites, gentle greys, and pastels – help reflect light and stop the room feeling cramped. They work particularly well for rooms with small windows.
3. No Drill or Perfect Fit Blinds No drill blinds and Perfect Fit blinds are excellent space-saving options. They fit neatly inside your window frame without requiring screws, saving both physical and visual space.
4. Fit Window Treatments Precisely
Oversized or ill-fitting curtains can overwhelm a small room. Measuring carefully and choosing treatments that fit perfectly keeps everything looking neat and uncluttered. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a small room feel bigger and more comfortable.
Pair these tips with light wall colours and simple furniture, and you’ll create a cohesive, spacious feel in even the smallest flats.
Colour for compact living
Colour can also be used to help us better enjoy our spaces. If you have a room with dual functionality, consider a combination of colours that can work when either tone takes priority. For example, consider a combined living and dining area plus navy blue and cream colours.
Because inky dark blue is a relaxing colour, use it as the dominant tone in the living room with cream accents to enrich it. A navy blue sofa near a long indigo curtain framed by cream lampshades and cushions will help you feel connected to that space, regardless of the footage.
Then, in the dining area – which tends to be a more stimulating environment – you can flip the colour priority. Use cream as the dominant colour with dark blue in a supporting role, again consider window furnishings, cushions and lampshades to introduce these spot colours in a hassle-free way.
Sanctuary bathrooms
Even in small homes, the bathroom is one space that can feel like a private retreat. While it’s often compact, there are clever ways to make it feel more spacious while still looking stylish.
Faux wooden blinds are ideal for small bathrooms. They bring the warmth and aesthetic of real wood without taking up valuable space, and their sleek, tailored fit keeps the room feeling uncluttered.
Light colours and natural materials also work wonders. Soft creams, pale greys, or pastels reflect light and make the room feel larger. Adding small touches of greenery or subtle patterns gives personality without overwhelming the space.
Even in tiny bathrooms, thoughtful window dressing can maximise both light and privacy, creating a relaxing sanctuary while contributing to the sense of openness. It’s a perfect example of how small space window treatments can make every room in your home feel bigger and more comfortable.
Space saving in your home doesn’t mean you can’t think big. In small spaces such as studio apartments, compact flats and multifunctional homes, window dressing plays a vital role in maximising light, privacy and visual space. With the right attitude, space saving tips and product selection, you can make any space the perfect environment for living in, working in, and relaxing in.
All the products available at Blinds Direct are made-to-measure your exact specifications here in Yorkshire, ensuring a perfect fit for even the most challenging small-space windows.
Should I use curtains or blinds in a small room?
Both work—but no drill blinds, perfect fit blinds, or light curtains for small rooms often create a brighter, more spacious feel. Layering a thin blind with a sheer curtain can give privacy without shrinking the room.
What colours make a small room look larger?
Light, neutral tones like cream, white, soft grey, or pastels reflect light and open up space—ideal for small studios and flats.
Can window treatments really make a room feel taller?
Yes! Hanging curtains for small windows in bedroom areas closer to the ceiling draws the eye upward. Combined with no drill blinds or perfect fit blinds, this is a simple and effective way to make even tiny rooms feel more spacious, answering the question of how to make a small room look bigger with curtains.
Shop some of our products perfect for making a space look bigger:
Other posts you may be interested in:
A Brief Overview Of Different Types Of Blinds
Windows do more than let in light—they set the tone for your home. From classic wooden Venetians to sleek Day & Night blinds and clever Perfect Fit® solutions, each style brings its own mix of light control, privacy and style. Discover how the right blinds can transform every room effortlessly.
An Introduction To No Drill Shutters And Blinds
No-drill blinds are the ultimate hassle-free window solution, offering stylish, made-to-measure designs without the need for screws or tools. From Perfect Fit® roller blinds and elegant no-drill shutters to Easy Stick and Easy Click options, these blinds suit every room providing light control, privacy, and thermal insulation with zero damage.
Browse our buyers guides
Our collection of window furnishings and homeware is defined by quality and craftsmanship. We’re confident we can provide you with the perfect product for your home, no matter your requirements. From moisture proof and stain resistant blinds for bathrooms, to blackout blinds and personalised pieces for kids’ rooms.
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