Get Creative! What Curtains to Use for Small Rooms

Okay, if you’re like me and you’re looking for a few snazzy ideas on how to make your window shine… then I’ve got some good ideas for you!

These tips and tricks will work well for you if you love to get creative and you enjoy the minimalist approach…

You know… the light and airy look and feel.

Also this tiplist is really cool if you want to mix it up a little. And lastly, you’ll love some of the ideas on here if you’re on a budget and you’re looking for a few affordable alternatives.

Okay, first let’s run through the obvious choices. I know, you probably already know all about them but trust me, it’ll serve you well to hear about them again because we’re going to address them again later on in this discussion.

Obvious, But Great Choices…

So, okay if you have a small room and you want to jazz up your window with the obvious choices, then consider using one of the following ideas to decorate the in window in your small room…

Valances and Swags
Valances and swags frame the top and sides of your window. Sometimes valances are also known as toppers or top treatments. To separate the two, generally swags tend to trail down along the sides while valances generally only take care of the top of the window.

When using them, you’ll notice that they keep your window from looking bare and plain while providing it with just enough style and pizzaz to accent a room. You’ll find that many people tend to use these when they just want a light touch and love the idea of going solo and want to forgo using draperies and panels.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to use valances and swags together. Some people find they prefer to use one or the other to decorate the window.

And if you need visual aid and would like to see an example of this, you can check out Tammy’s Romantic Retreat. She used a valance to add a light touch to her window.

Crushed Organza Panel 63 X 48 Sheers & Semi-sheers Curtains

Crushed Organza Sheers

Sheers
Sheers are gauzy which means they’ll offer you some privacy but still allow a good portion of light to come through.

They have a romantic look and feel and work great for bedrooms in which you want to add a touch of romance or an airy spring look.

You can simply hang your sheers and let them hang down in front of the window, but sheers can also be draped over the top of the window or tied to the curtain rod to create a border and add a bit more class (see right photo).

Also consider looking for window scarves if you’re interested in decorating the top of the window. Sheers and scarves have been known to bear an uncanny resemblence. Perhaps they are in fact that same, but by some chance they are different, you will likely find yourself interested in them as well.

Cornices
Cornices offer a regal look and feel. With cornices you tend to get hard angles and straight lines. But this is not always the case. Sometimes you’ll find they offer stylish curves as well. But the one thing that won’t be denied is that cornices provide a simple, yet elegant touch.

They can offer you anything from a formal to relaxed style. You can also go solo with cornices, choosing to forgo the use of panels and draperies or you can use them in conjunction with a curtain set if you wish to.

If you’d like to check out a small room that takes advantage of decorating with a cornice, you can take a look at Tara’s Pink-Parisian Styled Bedroom.

Less Obvious, Creative Choices…

When the obvious choices aren’t of interest to you, then you’ll want to concentrate on less obvious ways to add pizzaz to your window. There are several options that come to mind, however that doesn’t meant they’re the only options.

After checking out the tiplist below, you may want to do some brainstorming or simply visit the arts and crafts store and see if anything else comes to mind while you’re at it.

If you’re not up for valances, swags and sheers then perhaps you’ll want to decorate your window with the following…

Window Film
Window film is a cool way to cover your windows, add a decorative touch to your room and create privacy while still letting a little light in. The wonderful thing about window film is that there are so many styles and choices out there, you have limitless designs and decorative patterns to choose from.

It’s also very affordable, typically ranging anywhere from $8-up. And the great thing about it is, you can put it in any room. Bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms could all benefit from the beauty of window film.

And not only can you purchase window film. You can also create your own custom-made window film. This could be an even cheaper alternative, depending upon the products you get.

My sister is a prime example of someone who made her own window film. She simply got some craft paper from the arts and craft store. And of course you can do the same. You could design it whatever way you like. Use different color craft paper to create an artsy look, use stencils, create a collage on the craft paper… ultimately you’re only limited by your creative potential.

Custom-Made Window Border
You’ll find this is an ideal solution for you if your window doesn’t have window casing which leaves you with the opportunity to get creative and design your own border. If you’re not familiar with what window casing is… it is simply the wooden frame that you see around a window. To understand exactly what I mean, I’ve taken a picture of my window which doesn’t have window casing.

Two ways you could get creative and decorate the window is with wallpaper borders, paint or silk plants. If you decide to use wallpaper border, you may want to keep in mind that wallpaper border may not be wide enough for your tastes. So if that is the case you could simply get basic wallpaper and cut the wallpaper out to the desired width and length. Doing it this way will also allow you to come up with different shapes and styles.

Secondly, there’s also paint. You could create an effective, yet beautiful window border with paint. This border could even be a mini-mural that you use to set your window off while creating a gorgeous focal point in your room.

Thirdly, don’t forget the arts and crafts stores often have silk plants that can be easily mounted to the wall to decorate the top and/or sides of a window which you could use to create a natural looking border top treatment.

Custom-Made Curtains
Custom-made curtains have been suggested on the site before, but it bears repeating. If you want to design your own curtains ou can go to the fabric store and pick out the fabric that catches your attention and turn them into decorative curtains.

Someone who did this was Denise. She created an attention-getting set of curtains by simply choosing vibrant fabric that catches the eye.

Also keep in mind you can get fabric paint and even add to the design of the curtains… and they will be truly custom-made by you.

And one last really cool idea is using tree branch to compliment your window. Yes, you heard me right. You can use it in combination with making your own curtains and come up with an even more exciting idea. Once you find yourself a branch you decorate it according to your tastes by painting it and adding your own design to it and this will result in a look that will be uniquely yours.

If you like this idea, to get started simply follow this video DIY on how to decorate your window with a tree branch and how to make your own curtains and you’ll have a stylish window in no time…

Mixing It Up a Little…

When you find you like more than one choice, don’t forget that you can mix it up a little. You’ll find that if you think about it, most of the ideas will work with one or two of the other ideas. For example, decorating your window with valances, swags or cornices will also work with using window film.

Creating your own window border will also work with using window film. Sheers can also be combined with cornices, valances or swags.

The goal is just to make sure that combining two ideas together won’t look to outlandish and defeat the purpose of creating that austere look and feel that you’re going for.

Bookmark this page...