Errors in Hanging Curtains That Reduce Room Size - Steer Clear of These Blunders and Find Alternatives
Raise your interior game and ensure your curtains are instead a fabulous, space-enhancing addition to your living space! We've all been there - hung the perfect curtains, stepped back, and cringed. Nailing down the fabric, color, and length can seem impossible, but we're here to help guide you to love your drapery instead of hating it.
The truth is, curtains can make a space feel stuffy and closed in, particularly in smaller areas. So it's key to understand which curtain characteristics blend perfectly with your room. What texture will stand out in your space? What color will complement the paint color? These decisions will lead you to adore your drapery rather than finding it unintentionally shrinks your space.
As a fellow apartment dweller, I know that space is precious, and style should never be sacrificed. We want privacy and style, after all. I've asked professional interior designers for the most common curtain styling blunders that make a room look smaller – here are their top three mistakes to avoid.
1. The Wrong Fabric
The wrong fabric choice is probably the most common reason curtains reduce the size of your room. In tight living room designs, your curtains should help draw the eye up rather than diminish any height or space. Interiors guru Brynn Olson, of Brynn Olson Design Group, states, "I would steer clear of velvet in a small, dark room - it can create a somewhat suffocating atmosphere. Opt for more breathable fabrics to keep a small room open and light."
LA-based designer Lucie Ayres says, "A dense velvet makes a room feel smaller, not just because of its physical weight, which takes up more space, but also because its structure draws attention to the smaller space."
So what's the best fabric for curtains? Polyester offers durability and resistance to wrinkling, stretching, and shrinking. Lightweight cotton or linen drapery with a slight sheerness is an excellent way to brighten and open up a small room.
Brynn's love of art and design led her to focus on a career in design, joining Nate Berkus Associates in 2008. Educated at the Harrington College of Design, Brynn has experience managing and designing work for commercial and private high-end residential clients and celebrities.
Currently based in Los Angeles and New York, Lucie defines her design style as "comfortable, curated, and inspired." Educated at Cornell University, Lucie's world travels inspire her entire design process.
2. The Wrong Installation
The wrong installation refers to both how you hang your curtains and the length you choose. For starters, Lucie says, "Properly hanging draperies can make or break your space, especially in cramped quarters. Curtains that pool on the ground or are hung too low will give off the illusion that the ceiling is much lower than it actually is."
To open up the walls and ceiling and trick your eyes into perceiving the space as larger and more open, hang your curtains as high as possible, and make sure the bottom is never puddling or dragging on the floor. However, Lucie advises, "In smaller spaces, you want the fabric of your draperies to just kiss the ground, avoiding puddling altogether."
The finishing touches for your curtains are just as vital as the size and length when it comes to installation. Brynn advises, "Pick substantial hardware that's not flimsy and can support the drapery appropriately." Once you have selected your hardware and curtain rods and are ready to hang your fabric, Lucie suggests, "It is absolutely necessary to hang the drapery rod six to ten inches above the window frame and ten to twelve inches past the window on both sides." Doing so will help frame your curtains around the window and open up the space rather than making it feel awkward or compromised.
Brynn suggests a timeless ripple fold curtain top with a traversing system - combination that keeps the curtain tops even and straight while making it simple to open and close the panels. While you might be a devoted DIY aficionado, Brynn stresses, "Hiring a professional to install the hardware at the correct length and width and to ensure the brackets are placed properly is often worth it. Invest in your drapery – it's a significant component of your space!"
3. The Wrong Color
I have experienced the horror of a poor curtain color choice. Desiring to inject color into my living room, I opted for a burnt orange curtain, but the dark hue ended up blocking out too much light, making the room feel cavelike. Brynn advises, "Only consider dark panels if your room is otherwise 'color-drenched' and your furnishings and other decor are lighter in shade." In such cases, lighter-colored drapery made from more breathable fabrics is your best bet.
Brynn adds, "I opt for clean and crisp drapery. My go-to colors are typically ivory and white, but if you prefer a pattern or a pop of color, consider adding cutting-edge trim or border."
Curtains should add sophistication and cozy elegance to your space rather than weighing it down. Once you've decided on a style and fabric, consider current color trends to help you pick the best curtain color for your space.
- In small living spaces, opt for lightweight cotton or linen drapery with a slight sheerness to brighten and open up the room, as advised by interior designer Brynn Olson.
- Hang curtains as high as possible and make sure the bottom isn't puddling or dragging on the floor to give the illusion of a higher ceiling, as suggested by designer Lucie Ayres.
- When installing curtains, ensure the rod is hung six to ten inches above the window frame and ten to twelve inches past the window on both sides to frame the curtains and open up the space, according to Lucie Ayres.
- Achieve a timeless look with a simple ripple fold curtain top and a traversing system, recommended by Brynn Olson for maintaining even and straight panels.
- To avoid making a room feel closed in, choose a curtain color that complements the paint color and uses neutral or lighter shades, as recommended by Brynn Olson, or consider adding cutting-edge trim or border for a pop of color in a color-drenched room.
