Been trying to figure out how to make my tiny apartment feel less cramped, and now I'm stuck on curtains or blinds. Curtains seem cozy and can add some color, but I'm worried they'll make the space feel even smaller. Blinds seem cleaner and more minimal, but maybe too cold or sterile? Um, anyone dealt with this before or have a preference? Curious what others think.
"Blinds seem cleaner and more minimal, but maybe too cold or sterile?"
Totally get what you're saying about blinds feeling a bit sterile... but have you thought about cellular blinds? They're minimal, clean-looking, and bonus—they insulate really well, saving energy. Had them in my last tiny studio, and they made the space feel less cluttered without that cold vibe. Maybe worth checking out if you're leaning toward blinds but worried about coziness. Just an idea!
I see your point about blinds feeling a bit cold. I used to have those standard aluminum blinds in my guest room, and honestly, every time I walked in there it felt like a dentist's office or something. Switched them out for bamboo blinds eventually, and it made a huge difference—still minimal and tidy, but way warmer and cozier. Might be another option to consider if you're looking to keep things simple without going full-on curtains.
@mobile886
I've considered this myself when I was in a small space — here's what I found out:
Blinds are wonderful for small rooms since they appear to be cleaner and occupy less visual area. A slim shade or thin Venetian blind can make a room appear more spacious, less cramped.
Curtains bring warmth and color, sure — but heavy or long curtains can be oppressive. If you choose to have curtains, keep them lighter, hang them higher (just below the ceiling), and keep them thin to prevent that stifling effect.
A trick: combine blinds with sheer curtains. Use the blinds for light control or privacy, and the sheers to filter in light and soften the look.
In mine, I received a combination — regular blinds for day-to-day and a sheer panel for looks. It was a good compromise. I also utilized Home Direct Blinds in Homestead, FL as part of that installation, and they assisted me in choosing options that did not make the small room heavyísk
Bamboo blinds do look great, but I've found they don't always block out enough light if you're sensitive to that sort of thing. Had them in my office once, and the sun glare drove me nuts during certain times of day. If you're after something minimal but still warm, maybe consider fabric roller blinds? You can choose a thicker fabric for better light control, and they still look tidy without the bulkiness of curtains. Just another angle to think about...
You can choose a thicker fabric for better light control, and they still look tidy without the bulkiness of curtains.
Fabric roller blinds are a solid suggestion. I've used them in small bedrooms before—easy to install and maintain, plus they don't overwhelm the space visually like curtains sometimes do. Definitely worth considering if you're tight on room.
Fabric blinds do look neat, but ever notice how much heat sneaks through them on sunny days? I had them in my tiny guest room—looked great, but summer afternoons turned it into a mini greenhouse. Maybe double-check the fabric's thermal properties before committing...
"Fabric blinds do look neat, but ever notice how much heat sneaks through them on sunny days?"
Fair point, but honestly, curtains can trap heat too—depends on the material. I've had decent luck with blackout roller blinds... less stylish maybe, but they keep rooms surprisingly cool.
I've tried blackout roller blinds too, and yeah, they do a decent job at keeping heat out. But honestly, I've found cellular shades (those honeycomb-looking ones) to be way better at insulation. Had them in my tiny apartment last summer, and the difference was pretty noticeable. They're not exactly the most stylish option either, but they're subtle enough to blend in without drawing attention.
Curtains can definitely trap heat, especially if they're thick or dark-colored. I made that mistake once—picked out these heavy velvet curtains thinking they'd block heat, but they ended up absorbing sunlight and radiating warmth into the room. Felt like a sauna by mid-afternoon. Switched to lighter-colored thermal curtains later, and those were actually pretty decent at reflecting heat back out.
I guess it really comes down to material and color choice more than blinds vs curtains specifically. If you're dealing with a tiny room, I'd say pick something that doesn't just block light but also reflects heat. And if you can layer—like a reflective blind plus a lighter curtain—that might give you the best of both worlds without sacrificing style too much.
But yeah, fabric blinds alone... probably not the best bet if you're trying to keep cool.
I had a similar experience with heavy curtains—thought they'd block heat, but nope, just trapped it inside. Ended up layering cellular shades behind lighter curtains, and honestly, that's been the sweet spot for me. Keeps things cool without looking too industrial or bland.
"Ended up layering cellular shades behind lighter curtains, and honestly, that's been the sweet spot for me."
Totally agree—cellular shades are underrated. For tiny rooms, blinds or shades usually work better since they don't crowd the space visually. Curtains can feel heavy, even if they're not thick...