The tiny house movement has revitalized the idea of minimalist living, and with it, the challenge of covering small windows. Many are jumping on this trend, downsizing to spaces that may be smaller than even one room in their old homes. Some people are moving to tiny homes as small as 140-sq. ft to reduce their impact on the environment, provide easy mobility across the country, lower their energy bill, or foster a greater appreciation for the outdoors.
Designed with an eye toward maximizing available space, a tiny home can seem as welcoming as a much larger one. One feature that can separate a cozy small space from a cramped cabin is windows — and, by extension, the window coverings.
At Strickland’s, we see small windows in houses of all sizes, even the most spacious. Most homes have at least one window that doesn’t conform to a “standard” size, usually in the bathroom, a laundry room, or even in the garage. As such, the considerations for how to treat a tiny window apply to almost everyone. Fortunately, nearly every option for larger windows is also an option for smaller windows, from fabric curtains, to mini blinds, to mini shades.
Smaller windows let in less light, which is a key part of making a small space seem larger. The best window coverings are bright and open, allowing as much natural light to fill the room as possible. While they’re not the best in terms of privacy, sheers let sunlight through the window even when closed. Venetian blinds are also a great choice for small windows, since they fold up rather than to the sides, which maximizes wall space. Modern, updated mini blinds can add a polished, neat look to smaller windows. These blinds are easy to clean, especially in some hard-to-reach places like a loft space in a tiny home!
Ultimately, you want to consider the type of window treatment that will work best for both the tiny window and the surrounding space. Curtains may add a pop of color to the room, but they also take up wall space when opened, and block the sunlight when closed.
Strickland’s understands the importance of window treatments that maximize the potential of a space; visit our showroom or request an appointment to discuss custom options with one of our consultants.