Window Treatments for Small Windows
One of my favorite things to design are window treatments for small windows. There is something so intriguing about their delicate frames. Often times, clients will suggest that we forgo dressing them up, however I always convince them that it will elevate the look & feel of the space as it did in this small powder room.
Whether your space is formal or simplistic window treatments for small windows always seem to dial up the space a notch or two. Think of them as fashion for your home.
The Best Place to Use Window Treatments for Small Windows
Powder Rooms
If you have a window in a powder room it is essential to treat it with a decorative treatment! Powder Rooms are a space you can really have fun without spending as much money as you would in larger rooms. Even though your time spent in a powder room is often under five minutes it’s more the reason to take advantage of an opportunity to create impact & implement the WOW factor! The other elements in the space such as the vanity, wall treatments, flooring & lighting should guide you on what direction to take.
The swag & jabot treatment pictured, work beautifully with the other elements playing off the pattern of the wallpaper & the demi-lune accent table. Here’s another view of this traditional powder room showing the Antique Bombay chest re-purposed as the vanity. This was the inspiration piece for my clients powder room and I knew it was important to continue on the formal path down to the final details.
Maybe your powder room is simple & sleek and nothing like the traditional example I’m showing. Here’s an example of one that was just installed last week. I’ll have this space professionally photographed once all the final details are in place but meanwhile it gets the point across. The simple box pleat valance is embellished with contrast fabric, covered buttons & a top welt. It was a simple way to dress up this transitional space. It’s the first thing you see when you walk in the room.
Kitchens
Almost every kitchen has a window over the kitchen sink! It’s a must for some, especially if you have young children you’re keeping an eye on while they are playing in the backyard. These windows tend to be a little more awkward in shape & size and generally wider than tall. The pull-up valance used in this example is one of my favorites! It works well on wide or narrow windows and perfect for over the sink. I like to use a contrast fabric for the straps to add an extra detail.
Another place we see small windows in the kitchen is on either side of the range like this. I love this look of sweeping to the left and right. It does a great job of showcasing whatever is in between, in this case the Viking Range. The tent style top looped over the medallions has a lot of character and interest without being overly fussy.
Window Treatments for small windows in a kitchen is a nice way to break up the hard lines of cabinetry and an opportunity to add softness, color and style.
Laundry Rooms
If you’re lucky enough to have a window in your laundry room treat it well. This is a great place to do something less fussy like a simple upholstered cornice that’s easy to vacuum or cleaned off with a lint roller. One of my favorite fabric selections for small windows in laundry rooms are plaids. It’s a fabric that adds a bit of organization to a space that is filled with bins of clothes and cleaning supplies. Another great option is something whimsical. A fun print with dogs or cats is a good example ; something that suits your lifestyle. The goal is to give the space a cheery finished look.
Things to Consider When Designing Window Treatment for Small Windows
Fabric choice is key! You’ll want to stick with smaller scale patterns or solid fabrics in most applications. Those will be the easiest to work with because they adapt to more intricate styles very well. However, in some cases , you will run across an extraordinary fabric that you know will elevate and potentially the inspiration for the space. In that case you will want to adapt the treatment to the fabric. For instance, when you come across a stunning embroidered fabric like this one or a large Ikat print like this. These are the types of fabrics you will want to do something simple and honor it’s detail with a simple treatment like this.
Avoid obstructing too much light. Natural light is a precious commodity in our homes so it’s important that we bring in as much as possible, whenever possible. Sometimes we have ample space to pull them off the window onto the wall to the left or right and above the window frame. This is a great way to solve the problem of losing too much light. By taking advantage of the extra space you can give the illusion that the window is more prominent and yet reduce the glass coverage. Other times the spacing is not equally ample on both sides or the window is close to the ceiling line so we have to carefully consider the style. When you have to hang down into the glass area of the window it’s best not to go deeper than the center area of the first mullion. Here’s a good example. The spacing between the ceiling and the trim was tight so we designed a treatment that would prevent it from hanging too low. The arch valance was a perfect way to honor the light.
Budget is something to consider as well. Small windows do require less fabric so they will certainly be less costly than large windows ; however, some of the styles can be intricate and labor intensive. If you are paying someone to fabricate the treatment and you are on a tight budget then consider a cornice treatment. Upholstered cornices are less labor intense and require less fabric.
I think you’ll find once you start implementing window treatments for small windows in your home you won’t be able to stop. They add so much fun & style to your home and make each space extra special to spend time in.