4 Ways to Make a Small Space Look Larger Using Drapery

Do you have a small room in your home you wish looked larger? It could be a spare bedroom, office, or even one of your main living spaces. While you probably can't knock out walls or enlarge the actual footprint, there are ways to make the room look larger at a reasonable cost. One way to do this is through the use of the right window dressings.

The illusion created by window dressings depends on how they are hung as well as their materials and patterns. Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Avoid Visual Clutter

Often when you think of clutter in a room, you think of excessive items sitting around. However, the wrong colored window treatments in a small space can also create visual clutter and make your area feel busy.

Consider creating a monochromatic space by matching your drapery to your wall color and other pieces throughout your room. Keep your room from feeling flat by adding contrasting textures in your materials or accent pieces.

Monochromatic does not necessarily mean everything has to be the exact same color. You can choose colors that are within the same color palette to create subtle shading without adding visual clutter.

2. Avoid Darkening Your Room

Drapery provides a level of privacy but also blocks the sun or glare from the windows they hang on. Shutting out natural light can make your room feel even smaller than it is.

It is possible to use drapery as a focal accent that provides your room dimension while avoiding the darkening of your room. Do this by choosing lightweight fabrics that will let light in and pairing these with other liners or shades to produce privacy as well as block sun and glare. Your drapes can remain open, and your shades and liners opened and closed based on the time of day or your needs at the time.

3. Avoid Unnecessary Frills

The decorative details on your drapery can provide interest and personalization and can jazz up your windows. Unfortunately, these unnecessary frills such as pom-poms, upholstered valances, large chunky tiebacks, and other embellishments can take up some of your limited space and make your drapery a focal point in your small space.

Consider adding interest to your drapery by using two-finger pinch pleats. Two-finger pleats use less material than other types of pleats while still providing a very clean and contemporary look that adds to your space as opposed to taking away from it.

Heavy hems or bands of fabric at the bottom of your drapery will also reduce the appearance of height that you can create by hanging your drapery correctly, which we will discuss below. Consider using lightweight materials such as linens, silks, or cotton. These materials will only flow well within your space, providing a light, airy look.

4. Avoid Incorrectly Hanging Your Drapery

Did you know that how you hang your drapery impacts the apparent size of your room? Many people purchase drapery rods that are only slightly wider than their windows and hang them slightly above their window frames but this doesn't do anything to visually grow the space.

If you want to make your room look bigger, consider purchasing drapery rods that are at least eight to 12 inches wider than your window. Then hang the rods four to six inches above your window frame. Both of these moves will make your windows look more prominent, which in turn will make your room look both wider and taller.

The right drapes can make a huge difference in your decorating. Tailor Made Draperies, Inc., can help you choose suitable drapery to make your small space look larger, as well as the best drapes to complement the rest of your home. Give us a call today for a consultation appointment.