Small Window Covering Ideas: Balance Function & Flair with Finesse
Small windows may be modest in scale, but they aren’t minor players. Tucked into stairwells, kitchens, baths, and unexpected corners, these compact openings shape the mood of a room in subtle yet decisive ways. Dress them carelessly, and they all but disappear; treat them thoughtfully, and they become moments of quiet design brilliance.
This blog explores how to turn small windows into style statements—choosing treatments that balance proportion, light, and privacy without overwhelming the space. The right window dressing can stretch the visual line, soften architecture, and prove that when it comes to windows, size is merely a starting point. With that in mind, we bring you our top five small window covering ideas:
Whisper-Light Cafe Curtains
Cafe curtains have long been staples in the world of small window treatments, and especially so in country cottages. Covering only the lower half or two-thirds of the window, they provide essential coverage without overwhelming the small frame. Where full coverage treatments often put you in the dilemma of choosing between light and privacy, cafe curtains provide both at the same time.
These half curtains are especially recommended in kitchens, laundry rooms, and sunrooms where light is always welcome, and privacy is usually not required to the highest degree. Their easygoing appeal makes them a natural fit for these casual spaces, and quite the most unusual choice for more dressy, formal areas.
HomeSewn Wisdom: To maximize the airiness, opt for lightweight fabrics like cotton or linen, and prefer sheers where semi-privacy is desired. Style them with rod pocket headers if you anticipate occasional operation or plan to leave them stationary. Instead, if you want your cafe curtains to glide effortlessly, look for headers with rings/pins/grommets like pinch pleats, grommet tops, or flat panels.
Laidback Sill-Length Curtains
Covering the entire window and stopping at the sill or a few inches below, sill-length/apron curtains are ideal when full coverage is desired. They bring an easygoing air that makes them a natural choice for casual rooms, rustic farmhouses, and country settings. Since they provide for privacy and light control to the fullest degree, they are ideal for bathrooms, bedrooms, and nurseries, where floor-sweeping drapes may be desirable but not practical.
HomeSewn Wisdom: In order to invite maximum light, we recommend mounting the curtains outside the window. Position them a few inches above the window trim to curb light leaks from the top. Extend the pole at least 6 inches on either side to enable the curtains to slide past the window when stacked. And, if you don’t have any obstruction beneath the window, like a built-in or radiator, extend the curtains a few inches below the window trim, too. This way, you can bring in light to the maximum when the curtains are drawn aside and ensure maximum light control when they are on duty.
Seamlessly Covering Floor-to-Ceiling Drapes
It might seem like a faulty statement, but it isn’t—that floor-to-ceiling curtains are the most apt treatment for small windows, depending on the settings. If your window is not extremely tiny and has no built-ins or radiators underneath, full-length drapes are well worth considering.
Unlike small curtains that define the window’s contours and highlight their modest size, full-scape drapes divert attention to the ceiling’s height. Bridging the top and the bottom of the room in one continuous visual line, these drapes create the illusion of a taller ceiling and effortlessly mask the window’s undersized dimensions.
HomeSewn Wisdom: For a seamless finish, opt for ceiling-mounted concealed tracks so the curtains sit flush with the ceiling. If you want to explore a decorative opportunity, go for conventional drapery poles fitted with ornamental finials, letting your aesthetic shine through their tones, finishes, and silhouettes.
HAUL 'EM HOME: Custom Curtains
Perfect Fit Roman Shades
If you’re looking for a tailored treatment that stops at the sill, roman shades are our top recommendation. They are sleek, crisp, and timelessly elegant. And what makes them the perfect match for small windows is, of course, their space-saving form and operation. Roman shades don’t need any more space than the window itself, making them ideal for windows with little to no wall surround. And their compactness makes the window look smart and slick, neither sloppy nor bulky, perfectly cut to the hem.
What is even more admirable is the way they bring a bespoke touch without working too hard. Crafted from the same fabrics as drapery, roman shades lend ample scope to voice your aesthetic. Not like industrial blinds that read bland with their flat, plasticky veneers, but soft, grand, and tailor-made, with colors, patterns, and textures that become ready mouthpieces of your decor style.
HomeSewn Wisdom: To make the most of the small window, we recommend mounting your roman shade above the trim, not within the window frame. Position it a few inches above, allowing enough space for it to stack on the wall. This will prevent the shade from screening the upper portion of the window when it is folded up, letting light and air stream in without the slightest block.
HAUL 'EM HOME: Custom Roman Shades
Short & Sweet Cornices & Valances
Finally, let’s talk about that small window where aesthetics is the prime mover, not the functional concerns of light control or privacy. This is where decorative window treatments like valances and cornices shine. They frame the pane, introduce color and texture, and make it evident that although small, this window is in step with the large and statement ones - far from forgotten, styled with elan. And therein lies the greatest strength of these small static dressings—that they do big things with their petite frame, making them the dream attire for small panes that want to feel dressed, not choked.
Style your valances, keeping your aesthetic in mind. Choose scalloped silhouettes for a soft, romantic touch, straight-edged flat cornices for a minimalist aesthetic, and flowy pleated valances for a decorative approach. Avoid visually heavy styles like swags and shawls that will quickly overwhelm a small window.
HomeSewn Wisdom: Position the valance strategically. Let it overlap the glass pane by just an inch, so it blurs the silhouette and creates the illusion of a larger window.
HAUL 'EM HOME: Custom Valances
Shop Curtains, Shades & Valances at Sewn
The modest length of short curtains, roman shades, and valances makes them ideal for counter-height windows, bay windows with built-in seating, and windows with radiators fitted underneath. And for windows that stand free, floor-to-ceiling drapes present the perfect opportunity to mask their petite frame and ring in grandeur. Whichever route you may finally take, know that Sewn has no shortage of choices for you. From flowy sheers to crisp blackouts, whatever your goal, there’s a fabric to meet it at our vast virtual aisle. So, head to our catalog and choose those small window dressings that punch well above their weight.
