In a small room, every design decision matters more. The wrong window treatment can make a tight space feel even more cramped. The right one keeps things airy, functional, and visually open. Whether you're dealing with a small bedroom, a compact apartment, or a narrow home office, there are window covering options designed specifically to work with limited space.
Here's what works best — and what to avoid — when choosing window treatments for small rooms.
What to Avoid in Small Spaces
Before getting into the best options, it helps to know what tends to make small rooms feel smaller:
- Heavy, floor-length curtains in dark colours that absorb light
- Bulky valances or layered treatments that add visual clutter at the top of the window
- Treatments that cover the entire window even when open, reducing light
- Patterns that are too large and dominate the wall space
The goal in small spaces is to keep things streamlined and let as much natural light in as possible when the treatment is open.
Best Window Treatment Options for Small Rooms
Roller Shades
Roller shades are the top choice for small spaces because of how cleanly they roll up. When raised, the shade is barely visible at the top of the window — leaving the entire glass area open. They don't stack, bunch, or hang to the sides like curtain panels do. Light-filtering roller shades let in plenty of natural light during the day, which is essential for making a small room feel bigger.
Honeycomb Blinds
Cellular or honeycomb blinds are another excellent compact option. They stack neatly at the top when raised, taking up minimal space. The pleated fabric adds texture without bulk, and the insulating structure helps with temperature control — useful in smaller rooms that heat or cool unevenly. Top-down/bottom-up honeycomb blinds are particularly useful: you can lower the top to let daylight in while keeping the lower portion raised for street-level privacy.
Inside Mount Blinds
Mounting your blinds inside the window frame rather than outside keeps the wall space around the window clear. This makes windows look larger and reduces the visual footprint of the treatment. Most roller shades and honeycomb blinds work with inside mount when the window recess is deep enough.
Tips for Making Small Rooms Feel Larger
- Choose light colours: White, cream, or pale grey treatments reflect light and keep rooms feeling open
- Go inside mount: Keeps the wall area clear and makes windows look bigger
- Use light-filtering fabric: Let natural light do the work of making the room feel spacious
- Avoid heavy patterns: Solid colours or subtle textures work better in small spaces
- Hang curtains close to the ceiling (if using curtains): This draws the eye up and makes the room feel taller
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use curtains or blinds in a small room?
Blinds generally work better in small spaces because they take up less room when open. Roller shades in particular have almost no visible footprint when raised. If you want curtains, choose slim panels in a light colour and hang them from ceiling height.
What's the best colour for small-room window treatments?
Light neutrals — white, cream, light grey, or warm beige — are the safest choices. They reflect light, don't draw attention to themselves, and work with most colour schemes.
Are top-down/bottom-up blinds worth it for small spaces?
Yes. They give you the ability to let in daylight from the top of the window while maintaining privacy at the lower portion. This is especially useful in ground-floor rooms or rooms facing the street.
Ready to Find the Perfect Blinds?
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