Everyone knows curtains are useful for maintaining privacy and controlling how much natural light enters a room. But were you aware that curtains can also alter its perceived dimensions?
In a house or condo where the ceilings seem low, a few adjustments can help a room feel taller and more spacious.
You can also employ this technique to highlight already impressively high ceilings.
Raise the Curtain Rod
First: change the curtain rod’s location!
The goal is to visually elongate the wall the curtains cover and create more pronounced vertical lines.
- Prioritize a higher position: Mount the curtain rod close to the ceiling (a few centimetres below) rather than directly above the window. Why? Because if it’s installed just above the window frame, the eye stops there and the window appears smaller. By contrast, elevating the curtain rod makes the ceiling look higher and the walls taller.
- Extend the rod beyond the window frame: The curtain rod should exceed the width of the window frame. In fact, you can even run it right across the entire width of the wall! If not, extending it by 1 foot on either side of the window can also look very nice. Plus, this way, you’ll never block the window and miss out on precious natural light.
- Take constraints into account: Make sure to consider any mouldings, panelling, or other features that might affect curtain rod placement.
Play With Length
The curtains’ length also contributes to the illusion of height.
Very short curtains can ruin the impression of spaciousness because of the resulting awkward proportions. Curtain panels that end below the windowsill or halfway up the wall not only disrupt the visual flow but are also unattractive (the decor looks neglected).
By contrast, excessively long curtains—where the fabric pools heavily on the floor—tend to weigh the room down. And they require more effort to maintain.
What to do:
- For a harmonious look, the curtains should just touch the floor or stop about one centimetre above it.
- To achieve this: Before purchasing, measure the distance between the point where the curtain rod will sit and the floor. This precaution guarantees that you choose a panel length that suits the room, never too short. That said, some adjustments may still be necessary (such as sewing a new hem).
- To ensure a cohesive decor in a home with windows of varying sizes, hang curtains that all reach the same distance from the floor.
Focus on Fabric and Patterns
Fabric choice significantly impacts the end result.
Lightweight fabrics, such as linen or certain types of sheer textiles, allow light to pass through more easily and convey a sense of lightness. They’re particularly suitable for small rooms or those with little natural light.
Thick fabrics shouldn’t necessarily be avoided, but their visual weight can make a low ceiling seem even lower, especially when they’re dark or heavily pleated.
Colours and patterns can also influence the perception of height:
- Curtains that closely match the wall colour: This is ideal, as they create a gentle transition and don’t visually break up the wall surface.
- Subtle stripes: Vertical patterns draw the eye up, while horizontal patterns give the room a sense of space and width.
- Pale hues and light fabrics: They lend an airy atmosphere, particularly in a darker room.
Furthermore, you don’t need to stick to white curtains to achieve this effect. Soft or neutral shades can work just as well, provided they don’t contrast too strongly with the walls and blend in with the rest of the decor.
These ideas may not actually change the height of your ceilings, but they can certainly transform how you experience your living space.