Creating the illusion of height in a bedroom often relies on strategic design choices rather than structural renovations. Window treatments serve as a powerful tool to trick the eye and elongate the walls visually. Selecting the right fabric length and hardware placement transforms a cramped space into an airy sanctuary. These specific curtain hanging techniques and styles effectively lift the gaze upward to maximize perceived vertical space.
Mount The Rod At The Ceiling Line
Placing the curtain rod directly below the crown molding draws the eye upward immediately. This technique utilizes the dead space above the window frame to create an elongated visual line. Standard 84-inch panels often fall short so upgrading to 96-inch or 108-inch curtains is necessary for this look. The fabric covers the wall above the window and makes the opening appear significantly taller.
Choose Vertical Striped Patterns
Stripes naturally guide the vision from the floor to the ceiling in a continuous motion. Thin pinstripes or wider block patterns function like architectural columns to support the visual height of the room. Low contrast colors offer a subtle effect while bold hues provide dramatic elongation for the walls. This pattern prevents the eye from moving horizontally and keeps the focus strictly vertical.
Install Ceiling Mounted Tracks
Recessed or surface-mounted tracks eliminate the gap between the drapery header and the ceiling surface. This seamless look allows the fabric to flow continuously from the highest point in the room without interruption. Professional installers can hide the hardware completely for a sophisticated and floating effect. The absence of a visible rod removes horizontal visual breaks that often cut the wall height in half.
Select Solid Colors Matching The Walls
Blending the curtain color with the wall paint unifies the surface area without jarring visual interruptions. This monochromatic approach erases boundaries and makes the entire wall feel like one expansive plane. Lighter shades like cream or soft gray maximize the airy feeling of the bedroom while hiding the window edges. The lack of contrast keeps the eye moving smoothly from floor to ceiling without stopping.
Use The Ripple Fold Header Style
This specific drapery header creates consistent and deep vertical waves from top to bottom. The structured uniform folds maintain their shape and emphasize vertical lines better than grommets or rod pockets. Fabric stays perfectly straight even when drawn closed across large windows to reinforce the height. Clean lines encourage the viewer to look up toward the ceiling and appreciate the full length of the fabric.
Opt For Lightweight Sheer Fabrics
Heavy fabrics tend to weigh down a room visually while sheers suggest airiness and loft. Linen or voile materials allow natural light to filter through and blur the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors. The transparency allows the eye to travel through the fabric up to the top of the window frame effortlessly. This breeziness prevents the window treatment from feeling like a solid block that shortens the wall.
Share your favorite trick for making small rooms feel larger in the comments.
