I get what you’re saying about making the most of the space around the window, but honestly, I’m still not sold on the big, low windows for tiny rooms. In my last place (super drafty 1950s brick), I tried that and even with good insulation, I always felt like it made the room colder and harder to arrange furniture. The storage bench is smart though—never thought of that. Did you find it changed how much natural light you got, or did the curtains end up blocking a lot anyway?
That’s a fair concern—older brick homes can be tough, even with upgrades. I’ve noticed that when you go with bigger windows in a small room, you really have to pay attention to the window’s energy rating and install proper seals. Did you ever try thermal curtains or just standard ones? Sometimes the wrong curtain can block more light than you’d expect, especially in winter. I’m curious if anyone’s tried those honeycomb blinds—they’re supposed to help with drafts but I haven’t seen them in action much.
I actually installed honeycomb blinds in my old 1930s place last winter—wasn’t sure they’d do much, but they cut down the drafts way more than the thick curtains I had before. Only thing is, they block some light even when open, so it’s a tradeoff. Ever try weatherstripping around the window frames? Sometimes it’s not just the glass, but those sneaky gaps that make a difference.
I get what you’re saying about honeycomb blinds—they’re solid for insulation, but honestly, I found they made my small room feel a bit boxed in. I actually had better luck just swapping out the old single-pane glass for double glazing. The light’s way better, and with some basic weatherstripping, drafts aren’t much of an issue now. Maybe not as cheap up front, but it really opened up the space.
Can’t argue with the difference double glazing makes for light and temperature. I put in low-e double-pane windows in my last place, and it felt like an entirely different room—brighter, quieter, and no more cold spots by the glass. The upfront cost was a bit of a sting, but honestly, the comfort level paid off long-term.
I do get what you mean about honeycomb blinds feeling a bit claustrophobic in smaller spaces. They’re great for insulation, but they tend to block more light than you’d think, especially if you go for the blackout or thicker varieties. I tried top-down/bottom-up styles at one point, hoping to control privacy without losing daylight... kind of a mixed bag, especially when the room’s already tight.
If you’ve got the budget and don’t mind a little mess, swapping out old windows is usually worth it. For anyone who can’t go that far, I’ve seen some folks use sheer roller shades or even just a simple UV film to cut glare without making things feel boxed in. Not perfect insulation-wise, but definitely helps keep things open.
I hear you on the honeycomb blinds. Tried them in my old studio, and honestly, it felt like I was living in a shoebox half the time. The insulation was solid, but the light just disappeared.
That’s exactly it. I eventually swapped them for sheer cellular shades—less efficient, but at least I could see what time of day it was without turning on a lamp.“They’re great for insulation, but they tend to block more light than you’d think...”
Double glazing is tempting, but man, the price tag made me hesitate. Still thinking about it every winter when my toes go numb by the window...
Double glazing is tempting, but man, the price tag made me hesitate.
I know that feeling—my last place had single-pane windows and every winter I’d end up sealing them with plastic just to keep the drafts out. It helped a bit, but still felt like sitting next to a refrigerator. Ever tried those window films that claim to insulate and let in more light? I’m skeptical, but curious if they actually make a room feel bigger or just less cold.
- Tried those window films last winter—honestly, they’re better than nothing, but don’t expect miracles.
- They did cut down on drafts a bit and let in more light than the plastic sheets, but the room didn’t actually feel bigger. Maybe just less gloomy?
- If you want it to look more open, I’d focus on lighter curtains or none at all. The film’s mainly for insulation, not really for making things feel spacious.
- Price-wise, it’s a way cheaper fix than double glazing, but yeah... still not a total game changer.
The film’s mainly for insulation, not really for making things feel spacious.
Yeah, I tried the window film thing too—mostly because my wallet laughed at the idea of double glazing. Here’s what actually made a difference for me: 1) swapped out my heavy curtains for sheer ones (instant brightness), 2) shoved some mirrors around to bounce light, and 3) kept window sills clear. The film helped with drafts, but didn’t do much for “bigger room vibes.” If you want the space to feel less cramped, it’s more about what’s around the window than the window itself, in my experience.
Mirrors and sheer curtains definitely work wonders for light, I’ve seen that in a lot of small spaces. But sometimes the window itself does matter—like, I’ve replaced a few tiny windows with larger ones (where structure allowed), and it really changed the feel of the room. Not always cheap, though. Have you considered swapping out the window for something taller or maybe adding a transom above? Sometimes just changing the shape makes a difference, even if you can’t go wider. Curious if anyone else has tried different window types—casement, sliders, even skylights—in tight rooms?