Short Curtains for Small Windows: Top Ideas & Tips

 

Short curtains have travelled long from rural cottage homes in days of old to modern farmhouses and contemporary cottagecore havens. Throughout this long eventful journey, they have been constant loyal companions to small windows. Short curtains are functionally adept, doing much with just a little, and offering a cosy casual charm that no other type of window treatment can lend as much. So, if your decor style has leanings towards a country-style casual aesthetic or if you don’t want to miss the visual softness of rippled contours even when you can’t go long, consider short curtains for small windows. Everything you might want to know to bring this desire to fruition is at your disposal in this blog.

Practical, Functional & Casual: Small Curtains at their Best

 

Before we start getting to the details about short curtains, let us define what they mean. By short, we do not mean curtains that missed the ideal drop point by many inches (or by a few!). Short curtains are ‘intended’ to be small and adhere to standard drop points. Based on their varying drop points, they have come to be named as:

• SILL-LENGTH CURTAINS: These curtains cover the entire window and stop at the sill, just like their name suggests. They may lightly brush the sill or float a centimetre or so above the sill. 
• APRON CURTAINS: These curtains are just a slightly longer version of sill-length curtains. They extend a few centimetres below the sill. This modicum excess goes a long way to minimise light leaks from the bottom of the curtains.
• CAFE CURTAINS: Cafe curtains cover the lower half or two-thirds of the window and stop at the sill or extend beyond the sill by a few centimetres. Since the top portion is exposed permanently to let in light and air, and the bottom is draped for privacy, both aspects are taken care of simultaneously, minimising the requirement to frequently operate the curtains.

Short curtains meet the prime goals of safeguarding privacy and regulating incoming light, albeit in their own way. They are customisable to meet varied functional requirements and can be dressed up or down to meet your aesthetic preferences. Short curtains may not meet the taste of formal design styles, but they enjoy a revered place in other spaces and are staples in casual settings. But, besides all this, they are also the most practically efficient in some scenarios and rooms like:

• SMALL WINDOWS: Small windows may look very bulky and overwhelmed with long curtains. But short curtains meet the modest proportions of small windows while colouring them with the homely vibes and contoured beauty of curtains.
• WINDOWS WITH RADIATORS: Windows with radiators are ideal for short curtains as long, flowy drapes will cut access to the heat generated and sometimes also cause fire hazards.
• WINDOW WITH INBUILT SEATING/ STORAGE: Windows that have inbuilt seating/ storage do not offer the option for curtains to go to the floor. But for clients who can’t imagine their windows dressed in anything but the wavy contours of curtains, short curtains are the way to go.
• BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS: Bathrooms and kitchens prioritise function over visual appeal as they are water-prone spaces that attract mildew. Here, short curtains perform the duty of providing privacy while smartly evading water splashes and also don’t come in the way of function or cause tripping accidents.
• BASEMENT WINDOWS: Basement windows are usually small and are placed so close to the ceiling that long curtains look very much out of place here. But short curtains can fulfil the functions without looking too overwhelming for the windows’ petite dimensions and awkward placement.
• HOMES WITH KIDS AND PETS: Homes with kids and pets are strong candidates for sill-length treatments, as short curtains stay out of the way and cancel the chances of tripping accidents. Also, you can keep the curtains from being soiled easily as they are out of reach from gooey little hands and chomp-y little teeth.

So, while we don’t recommend short curtains for formal spaces, we do suggest them wholeheartedly for small windows and windows that have to be treated exceptionally because of their spatial context. They are also better alternatives to long curtains in small rooms as they don’t require too much wall space and free up the floors for easy manoeuvring.

Our Top Seven Design Tips for Short Curtains to Meet Style & Function

 

Short curtains bring with them the infinite aesthetic potential of the world of drapery fabrics, leaving you free to stretch your imagination to any extent. These delightful window dressings can introduce vibrance and enhance the personality of your room. In small and utilitarian spaces like baths and laundry rooms, they may present the only chance to break the monotony of neutral hues and plain walls. But, that’s not all. Short curtains must also fulfil the functions expected of them to the fullest degree. Achieving this desirable balance between form and function is easy when you keep the following guidelines on the top of your mind -

Pick a Fabric of the Right Opacity

 

Small windows come with very limited potential for letting in natural light and fresh air. If the room is small or if the nature of the room calls for airiness, the short curtains can help maximize natural light in your room to keep it well-lit and breathing. For this, we recommend choosing between sheers, semi-sheers and lightweight airy fabrics for small window curtains that do not block the light and air out rigorously, as thick fabrics. 

Use the Palette to Build Visual Continuity

 

While the choice of colours is left to your personal preferences, it is worth bearing in mind that a stark contrast between the colour of the curtains and that of the walls will only emphasise the small proportions of a petite window. On the other hand, if the curtains share the same palette as the walls or stand somewhat close to their specific shade, the contours of the window will be blurred. This will facilitate building visual continuity rather than defining the profile of the window and calling attention to its smallness. Thus, you can camouflage the underwhelming size of the window.

Be Wise with the Scale of the Pattern

 

Owing to the small size of the window and hence the limited spatial scope of short curtains, paying attention to the scale and layout of the fabric’s pattern is vital. If the pattern is overscaled, chances are that the motif will overwhelm the small window. If the motifs are laid out far and in between, the limited space of a small curtain may not suffice to showcase the flow and rhythm of the pattern with enough repeats. So, opt for small and medium-scaled patterns that speak to the proportions of the window. 

Besides, you can also tap into the power of pattern play to create an illusion of a larger window. For this, choose patterns that exhibit a sense of momentum like thin vertical stripes, slender creeping vines, and chevrons, that will guide the eye upward and create a perceptive illusion of a taller window. Similarly, if your window is narrow, consider horizontal patterns to guide the eye sideward and forge an illusion of a wider window. That’s another pro tip for a smart camouflage! 

Discern the Suitable Drop Point

 

Whether your short curtains should stop above the sill or overlap the sill is the decision to be made here. Extending beyond the sill by a few centimetres helps to restrict vigorous billowing at the slightest of winds. This also contains light leaks at the bottom, a key concern in small bedrooms and nurseries. But, if you’re mounting the curtains inside the window, stopping them at the sill gives off a more tailored look. This drop point is also ideal if you don’t want your short curtains to take any more space than the small window itself so that the walls are free.

Select a Compatible Heading Style

 

The header of the curtains plays an important role in determining how they will move on the pole besides defining the drapery’s visual appeal. Curtain heading styles that employ rings or grommets glide easily on the pole. Since you may want to operate the curtains often to maximise the light and air accessed through the small window, we recommend these easily operable styles. 

However, if you’ve chosen a sheer fabric and are looking to keep your curtains drawn together over the window most of the time, consider styles like rod pockets and tab tops that keep the curtains taut on the pole. 

So, first, decide whether you want your curtains to glide easily on the pole or stay intact in their position. Accordingly, choose a heading style that supports your anticipated frequency of operation.

We offer over a dozen heading styles, each with a unique configuration of visual appeal and functional ease. So, take advantage of the wide spectrum of choices, and pick the style that best serves your purpose. To learn more about each heading style and make a well-informed decision, visit our Drapery Headings Style Guide.

Personalise with Curtain Trims

 

‘Short in size’ does not have to mean ‘short of style’. Short curtains are already very charming, especially in idyllic settings, but you can elevate that homely appeal by adding dainty details like pompom trims, fringe trims and ribbon trims. Trims add colour, texture and personality to the space and also pay homage to the dexterous skills employed in weaving these little ornaments. 

Enhance Functionality with Tie-Backs

 

Small windows call for maximisation of functionality because their capacity to draw in light and air is at a premium. So, rely on the often underestimated power of a chic curtain tie-back. This little accessory will take up the big responsibility of holding your curtains in place when you want to open the window for use. You don’t have to worry that your curtains will cover the window under the influence of wind when they are held securely within a tie-back’s tight clasp.

Shop Short Curtains for your Small Windows at The White Window

 

Thus, we come to the end of our long story on short curtains. Perfect for Lilliputian windows, space-compromised rooms and casual decor styles, short curtains are an incredible mix of aesthetics with practical sensibility. They are kid-friendly, pet-friendly and fully reliable for the key functions of privacy assurance and light blockage. So, head on and dress your small windows in colour, pattern and rippled beauty. No matter how small or narrow your window, at The White Window, we will make it happen, tailored to perfection! Meander through our exquisite collection of breezy cottons, linens and sheers and find your favourite piece of lazy charm today.