Do Curtains Make a Room Look Smaller? The Truth About Curtains and Space
Last Updated, March 2025
Hi there! I'm James from Dolcewe.com. For over 10 years, I've helped customers find the best curtains for their homes.
Many people worry that curtains will make their rooms look tiny. Let's bust this myth once and for all!
Key Takeaways
| Main Section | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| The Truth About Curtains and Room Size | The right curtains can actually make your room look bigger, not smaller. Focus on proper color, fabric, hanging height, and patterns to create the illusion of more space in even the smallest rooms. |
| How Curtain Colors Change How Big a Room Feels | Dark curtains against light walls create depth that makes rooms feel larger. Choose curtains that either contrast with your walls for depth or match them for a seamless, space-expanding look. |
| Best Curtain Styles for Small Rooms | Sheer curtains let in more light, making rooms feel open and airy. Choose floor-length styles with solid colors rather than busy patterns to create clean visual lines that expand your space. |
| Curtain Hanging Tips to Make Rooms Look Bigger | Hang curtains close to the ceiling and extend rods 8-12 inches beyond window frames on both sides. This simple trick can make your windows (and room) appear up to 40% larger. |
| Light Control: Using Curtains to Make Rooms Feel Bigger | Maximize natural light with light-filtering fabrics and use tie-backs during the day. Layer sheer and heavier curtains for flexible light control that helps small spaces feel more open at any time of day. |
| Busting Common Curtain Myths for Small Rooms | Short curtains actually make rooms feel smaller by cutting visual lines. Choose floor-length curtains and don't leave windows bare—properly dressed windows create structure that enhances room proportions. |
| How to Pick the Perfect Curtains for Your Small Room | Always measure your windows before shopping and consider the room's function when selecting fabric weight. Custom curtains ensure perfect fit—no more almost right solutions that don't maximize your space. |
The Truth About Curtains and Room Size
Let me share a secret with you. Curtains don't always make rooms look smaller. In fact, the right curtains can make a room feel bigger! It all depends on a few simple things.
The main factors that affect how curtains change your room size are:
- Color choices
- Fabric type
- How you hang them
- The patterns you pick
I've seen many small rooms look much bigger with the right curtains. One customer with a tiny bedroom was amazed when new curtains made her space feel twice as big!
How Curtain Colors Change How Big a Room Feels
Many people think dark curtains make rooms look tiny. This is not true! Dark curtains can create depth in a room. This depth can make your space feel larger, not smaller.
The key is how you mix your colors. Try these color tips:
| Curtain Color | Wall Color | Effect on Room Size |
|---|---|---|
| Dark | Light | Creates depth and makes room feel bigger |
| Light | Dark | Brightens the space and adds contrast |
| Same as walls | Any | Creates a seamless look that expands space |
When you put dark curtains with light walls, you get a nice contrast. This contrast draws your eyes outward. Your brain sees more space this way.
One of my customers used navy blue curtains in her small white room. Everyone who visits thinks the room is much bigger than it really is!
Check color psycholog guide
Best Curtain Styles for Small Rooms
Not all curtains work the same in small spaces. Some styles help rooms look bigger than others. Here are my top picks for small rooms:
Sheer curtains
Sheer curtains let light flow through. More light makes any room feel bigger. These work well in living rooms and kitchens.
Floor-length Curtains
Floor-length curtains create a line that pulls your eyes up. This makes ceilings look higher. Higher ceilings mean more space!
Use Solid Color Curtains
Solid colors are better than busy patterns in small rooms. Simple is best when space is tight.
At Dolcewe.com, we make custom curtains that fit your exact needs. We start at just $26.99. The right size makes a big difference in small rooms!
Curtain Hanging Tips to Make Rooms Look Bigger
How you hang your curtains matters even more than the curtains themselves! I always tell my customers these simple tricks:
Hang curtains high above windows.
Put the rod or track close to the ceiling, not just above the window. This makes windows look taller.
Extend Rods
Extend rods 5 to 10 inches past the window frame on both sides. This makes windows look wider. Wider windows make the whole room feel bigger.
Longer Curtains
Use longer curtains than you think you need. Curtains that touch the floor create a sense of height.
One of my customers with a small apartment tried these tips. Her friends now ask if she knocked down a wall!
Light Control: Using Curtains to Make Rooms Feel Bigger
Light is your best friend in small spaces. More natural light makes rooms feel open and airy. Your curtains can help with this!
Try these light tricks:
- Open your curtains fully during the day
- Choose light-filtering fabrics that let some sun through
- Use tie-backs or holdbacks to keep curtains away from the window
- Layer sheer curtains with heavier ones for flexible light control
I helped a customer with a dark, small den pick the right curtains. By changing how light entered the room, the space felt twice as big!
Busting Common Curtain Myths for Small Rooms
Let's clear up some wrong ideas about curtains in small spaces:
Myth 1: No curtains is better for small rooms
Truth: Bare windows can make a room feel unfinished and actually smaller.
Myth 2: Patterns always make rooms look smaller
Truth: Small, subtle patterns can add depth without making a room feel cramped.
Myth 3: Short curtains save space
Truth: Short curtains cut the visual line and make rooms feel smaller, not bigger.
Myth 4: All curtains block too much light for small rooms
Truth: Many fabrics let plenty of light through while still giving privacy.
I've helped hundreds of customers with small rooms. These myths often hold people back from having both style and space!
How to Pick the Perfect Curtains for Your Small Room
Ready to find curtains that make your room look bigger? Follow these easy steps:
-
Measure your windows first. Know the exact size before shopping. Check our curtain size finder for help
-
Think about the room's use. Bedrooms might need darker curtains than living rooms.
-
Choose colors that work with your walls. Contrast or match based on the tips above.
-
Pick the right fabric weight. Lighter fabrics often work better in small spaces.
-
Decide on the hanging style. Rod pocket, grommets, or pleats each create a different look.
At Dolcewe.com, we help you with each step. Our custom curtains fit your exact needs. No more almost right curtains that don't quite work!
Real Stories: How Our Curtains Made Small Rooms Look Bigger
Let me share some real success stories from our customers:
Sarah had a tiny studio apartment. She used our floor-to-ceiling white sheer curtains. They made her space feel much more open.
Mike's small home office felt cramped. We helped him pick navy curtains for his cream walls. The contrast made the room feel deeper and larger.
Lisa's narrow bedroom needed help. We suggested hanging curtains 12 inches wider than her window. This simple change made her room feel much wider.
These real results show that the right curtains can work magic in small spaces!
Conclusion: The Right Curtains Can Make Your Room Look Bigger!
As I've shown you, curtains don't make rooms look smaller when you use them right. The perfect curtains can make your space feel bigger, brighter, and better!
Remember these key points:
- Hang curtains high and wide
- Choose the right colors for your walls
- Pick the best fabric for your needs
- Control light to create space
At Dolcewe.com, we've helped thousands of customers transform their small rooms. Our custom curtains start at just $26.99. We make them to fit your exact windows and style needs.
Want to make your small room look bigger? Let us help you find the perfect curtains today!
FAQ
Q: Do dark curtains make a room look smaller?
A: No, this is a common myth. Dark curtains can actually create an illusion of depth and enhance the perceived size of a room.
Q: What factors influence the perception of room size with curtains?
A: Factors such as color psychology, lighting, and overall design choices play a role in how curtains impact the perception of room size.
Q: How can I use curtains to visually enlarge a room?
A: To make a room appear larger, choose lightweight fabrics that allow light to filter through, consider the placement and length of the curtains, and combine dark curtains with light-colored walls, furniture, and accessories.
Q: What are some practical tips for designing optimal spaces with curtains?
A: Some tips include utilizing proper lighting techniques, incorporating complementary design elements, and strategically placing curtains to create a sense of height and continuity.
Q: What is the conclusion about the impact of curtains on room size?
A: The belief that dark curtains make a room look smaller is a myth. By following proper design choices and incorporating thoughtful techniques, curtains can actually enhance the perceived size of a room.
