Absolute Journal
Window Treatments as Small Room Decor
When you are trying to maximise space in a small room, you might consider skipping window treatments in order to leave sight lines to the outdoors clear. On the surface, this could seem like a good idea, because being able to see the outside you’re your windows can give you a feeling of additional space, while also bringing abundant natural light into the room, which can give a sense of roominess. However, a room without window treatments can feel unfinished, and choosing the right window dressing can elevate the room’s entire look.
Additionally, leaving windows uncovered is not very practical. Window treatments serve the very important dual function of allowing you control over the light in your room and affording you privacy. So, how do you choose the right window treatments without overwhelming your space? Consider this: when you have a small area in which you are trying to create space, illusion is a powerful tool. Modern window treatments can provide privacy and style, while allowing natural light to flow in and make the room feel larger, more open, and airier.
Light Maximising Solutions for the Illusion of Space
When you allow light to stream into the room, you illuminate dark corners, increase visibility, and create a feeling of space. The challenge is to add a window treatment that filters the light and affords some privacy without weighing down the room.
- One of the most elegant ways to use drapery is with sheers. Sheer, organic drapes have soft texture to relax the lines of the room, and they allow light to come in while still providing the room some privacy. Your sheers do not have to be white to open up the room; a gauzy set of sheers in a colour that complements your décor can be a beautiful way to make a room seem larger than it is while adding a stylish design element.
- Another beautiful option is Allusion blinds. This stylish window treatment allows flexible light control by combining sheer and opaque textured fabric. Sophisticated and modern, Allusion blinds draw the eye upward while providing light diffusion, filtering daylight without obstructing your view of the outside. Made with a combination of opaque and sheer fabric, they have the look of curtains, but are a versatile alternative to curtains and vertical blinds.
- Shutters provide flexibility while giving the room character. Wooden window shutters can offer soft, dappled light, full privacy, or a flood of light, depending on how you adjust them. When the sun shines through the shutters, it adds ample warmth to the space. For an elegant, French-inspired look, install café shutters on the lower halves of the windows, to allow natural light in while making the room feel cosy. Having shutters only on the bottoms of the windows also has the benefit of providing privacy without blocking the light.
Small Space Design and Light Reflection
It is a well-established concept in design that reflective surfaces help to make a room feel larger by bouncing the light. Using mirrors, strategically placed, can be a good way to give the illusion of space to a small room. You can do this by placing large mirrors across from windows to maximise the light, installing floor to ceiling mirrors on the walls that run perpendicular to the windows, to capture side lighting, or placing mirrors near shadowy corners to redirect natural light into dark spaces. Reflection is not limited to mirrors, however. Furniture and fixtures with reflective surfaces can also contribute to the airy look of the room whether you choose a glass table or a cabinet with handles made of chrome or another reflective metal. The window treatments that you choose will also have an impact on how much light is reflected in the room. For example, lighter coloured fabrics can reflect sunlight, and curtain rods mounted near the ceiling and extended beyond the window frame allow the light to flood the room when the curtains are fully open. Consider, too, that certain textiles can be reflective, like silk, and incorporating these into your décor can make the room brighter.
How Window Treatments Fit with Space Saving Décor
When you are trying to make a small room seem larger, there are plenty of decorating tricks to make the most of the space you have. Leggy furniture gives an airy feeling to a room, for example, and multi-purpose furniture means fewer pieces, which equates to more space. A light colour scheme can make a room feel larger, and wallpaper with vertical stripes draws the eye toward the ceiling, giving the illusion of a larger room. But how do window treatments factor into your space saving décor?
- Choose Perfect Fit blinds, to keep your window treatment within the frame. These blinds have a clean, sleek, modern appearance, fitting neatly into the window frame. While they are not suitable for all windows, Perfect Fit blinds can create a stylish look without taking up space in your room.
- Vertical blinds are another space-saving treatment, and they can make the room seem larger. They are extremely practical, allowing for effective control of light and privacy, and they can provide added insulation to your windows. They can be customized to neatly fit your windows, come in a wide range of colours and textures, and because they run up and down, they achieve the same effect as vertical stripes in wallpaper.
- A valance can also give the illusion of height to a room. When you add interest at the top of a window, it naturally draws the eye up and makes the room seem elongated and larger.
- Roman blinds are a timeless, customisable option. Flexible and attractive, Roman blinds are available with manual or motorised operation, and in a wide array of colours, designs, and fabrics. They are perfect for small spaces, and work well in small windows because they do not create bulk around the window or take up space on either side. Instead, they provide a streamlined, tidy appearance that never goes out of style.
- Roller blinds are perfect for small spaces. Practical and compact, roller blinds sit neatly against the wall, and then roll into a small tube when not in use. This provides a clean, minimalist, contemporary look, and when made in neutral, light colours, they can make a room seem much larger. They come in a variety of colours, fabrics, and prints, and add a touch of elegant simplicity to any room.
The Material You Choose Can Optimise Your Space
Silk curtains that skim the floor add elegant appeal while reflecting light. Roman blinds in a dreamy pastel can add character while allowing light into the room. Bamboo blinds filter the light, and they also create an exotic look for your décor. And while patterns can sometimes overwhelm a small room, choosing them wisely can do exactly the opposite. A tiny or subtle pattern, especially on floor-length curtains, can make your windows appear more generous, while adding a subtle texture to a neutral colour scheme. If your room has tiny windows, you can use a larger curtain, in a pattern that matches other elements of the room, to move the eye around the space and make the windows seem larger. At the same time, if you love bold colours, you can still create the look of a larger room! A bold colour, particularly in a monochromatic colour scheme, can beautifully frame the window and draw the eyes outside, giving a sense of spaciousness. And even as vertical window treatments draw the eye up and make the room seem taller, a textile with a bold, horizontal stripe can make the room seem wider and more spacious.
Choose Your Perfect Window Treatments with Help from Absolute Blinds
No matter the size of your space, you will find the window treatments you need at Absolute Blinds. Founded in 1998, we are a family owned company with a team that takes pride in offering guidance and expertise to our customers. Since 2008, we have been manufacturing our own roller blinds and vertical blinds, which means better quality control for us and reduced lead time for our customers. Today, our product lines have expanded to include a wide range of options, from traditional Roman blinds to contemporary conservatory blinds to private blackout blinds. We welcome both domestic and commercial clients, providing excellent service, regardless of the size of your project. To learn more about what we have to offer, view our blinds online, or book an appointment to visit our showroom in Welwyn Garden City. We welcome customers from St Albans, Hertford, and the surrounding areas, providing both ready-made and made-to-measure options. Visit our showroom or contact us through our website, and our friendly, knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect window treatments to suit your space, style, and budget.
