Diaries Magazine

Styling a Small Room with Curtains - What You Need to Know

Posted on the 24 February 2023 by Sparklesandstretchmarks @raine_fairy
Styling a small room with curtains - What you need to knowStyling a small room can be a little difficult, as everything has to serve a specific function with little space for redundancy. But, with a bit of careful consideration, curtains can be a really useful tool for making a small room look, and feel, more spacious. Let’s quickly go through some things to keep in mind when styling a small room with curtains.

Choose light-coloured curtains

One of the simplest, most effective tricks to make any small space feel more open is by using light-coloured curtains. Brighter curtains can reflect light better, and contribute to an optimal illusion that makes the room feel bigger and more expansive. In general, it’s best to avoid using dark colours, which can often make a room feel more enclosed.

Hang curtains high and wide

To create the illusion of a taller, wider room, it can be a good idea to hang your curtains as high and as wide as possible, within reason of course. This will make the windows look larger, and when the curtains are pulled back, they won’t be touching the window at all, allowing as much natural light as possible to enter the room. At a minimum, place the curtain rail a few inches above the window frame, and extend it several inches beyond the window on either side.

Try sheer curtains

Sheer and even net curtains from stores like Woodyatt Curtains are a great option for rooms on the smaller side, because they let natural light into the space while still adding a sense of privacy. They can help you to make a soft, breezy aesthetic that helps to brighten up what could become a dark, small space. If you prefer more privacy, or you need more light control at certain times of day, you can have sheer curtains with an additional blackout liner that can be used as and when you need them.

Choose vertical patterns

When choosing patterned curtains for a small room, you might want to look for patterns that have a vertical orientation. Vertical stripes or patterns can make a room appear taller, while horizontal patterns can make a room feel wider. In most cases, it’s best to steer clear of busy patterns or large prints, which can overwhelm a small space.

Go with short curtains

In some cases, short curtains (sometimes known as cafe curtains) can be a good choice for a small room. Cafe curtains only cover around half of the window, meaning that there’s always a little light coming in from the top half.

Use tie-backs

Tie-backs can be really beneficial at keeping curtains out of the way when you don’t need them. They’re especially useful for thicker curtains, which would otherwise take up a lot of room when bunched loosely on either side of the window.


Styling a small room with curtains definitely takes a little more thought and planning than with larger rooms. By following the simple tips listed above, you’ll be able to make a significant difference to the space, avoiding any significant styling errors. With the right window coverings, you can totally transform a small room, into a bright, inviting space that feels much more expansive than it actually is.

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