I used to lean heavily toward blinds for smaller rooms, but recently installed sheer curtains in my home office (which is basically a glorified closet, lol). I was surprised how much brighter and airier it felt afterward. The trick really was mounting the rod higher and wider—made the ceiling seem taller somehow. Blinds are still great for privacy, but curtains definitely have their perks if you choose wisely...
Yeah, mounting curtains higher and wider is a solid trick—makes a huge difference visually. Blinds can feel kinda boxed-in sometimes, especially in tight spaces. Sheers give you that soft, diffused light without sacrificing too much privacy. Good call on switching things up!
Good points about the sheers—definitely helps soften things up. But I'm curious, have you considered cellular shades at all? They don't get mentioned as often, but they're pretty underrated for small spaces. They tuck neatly into the window frame, so you don't lose any precious wall space, and they have that clean, minimalist look that can make a tiny room feel less cluttered.
I worked on a project recently where the client had these super narrow bedrooms—like seriously tight—and curtains just felt overwhelming no matter how high we mounted them. We ended up going with cellular shades in a soft neutral color. The difference was surprising...the rooms felt brighter and more open right away. Plus, they still got decent privacy and insulation (bonus points for energy savings).
Not knocking curtains though—especially if you have higher ceilings or want to add some texture and warmth. But sometimes, even with the high-and-wide trick, curtains can still visually crowd a small room. Blinds can definitely feel boxy, I agree there, but maybe that's more about the style of blinds? I've seen some slim-profile Venetian blinds in lighter colors that didn't feel too heavy or boxed-in.
I guess it really depends on what you're prioritizing: visual openness, privacy, insulation...? Or maybe just personal style preference? Curious if anyone's tried mixing treatments—like sheer curtains layered over slim blinds or shades—to get the best of both worlds. Could be an interesting compromise for tight spaces.
Cellular shades are underrated for sure. I put them in our tiny guest room after years of battling curtains that ate up half the wall space. Instant improvement—room felt bigger, cleaner lines, and no more wrestling fabric out of the way just to open a window. Still miss the cozy factor of curtains sometimes, but hey, can't have it all...unless layering really does work? Might have to experiment with that next time.
"Still miss the cozy factor of curtains sometimes, but hey, can't have it all...unless layering really does work?"
Layering can definitely work, but doesn't it defeat the purpose of saving space in a tiny room? I've found roller blinds with a textured fabric can add warmth without crowding the walls...anyone tried those?
"Layering can definitely work, but doesn't it defeat the purpose of saving space in a tiny room?"
I see your point about layering potentially crowding a small space, but I'd argue that it depends heavily on the materials and installation method you choose. For instance, I've seen setups where sheer curtains layered over slim-profile blinds actually create depth without overwhelming the room. The key is selecting lightweight, semi-transparent fabrics and mounting the curtain rod closer to the ceiling to visually extend the height of the room.
As for roller blinds with textured fabric, they're a solid choice, but personally, I've found that while they do add some visual warmth, they don't quite replicate the tactile coziness curtains offer. If you're aiming for a softer, more inviting atmosphere, Roman blinds might be a better compromise—they offer fabric warmth and texture without the bulk of traditional curtains. Just something else to consider...
"The key is selecting lightweight, semi-transparent fabrics and mounting the curtain rod closer to the ceiling to visually extend the height of the room."
Totally agree with this. When I moved into my tiny place, I was worried curtains would make it feel cramped, but I went with sheer curtains hung high, and it actually made the room feel taller and airier. Blinds are practical, sure, but curtains just add that cozy factor that's hard to beat. Guess it depends on what vibe you're going for...
"curtains just add that cozy factor that's hard to beat."
Couldn't agree more. From a purely technical standpoint, curtains—especially sheer or semi-transparent ones—diffuse natural light more evenly than blinds, reducing harsh shadows and creating a softer ambiance. Blinds can sometimes feel clinical or overly structured in small spaces... at least in my experience. Plus, curtains give you more flexibility with patterns and textures, subtly enhancing the room's personality without overwhelming it. But hey, blinds do have their moments too, especially if you're going for that minimalist look.