Whether it’s a matter of affordability or a passion to live more sustainable, small apartments are popular in many areas, including Dandenong. Furnishing such a space determines how well the compact areas will support your lifestyle. This even includes the curtains or blinds Dandenong locals pick out for their tiny homes.
We looked at picking out the best window covers for cramped spaces. Now use our tips if you want to make the most of your apartment thanks to a few simple changes.
Types of Window Covers to Consider
There’s not necessarily a single type of window covering that will work for all small apartments. Each category has its own benefits and perhaps some drawbacks. Today’s market offers various innovative approaches to home décor and window covers, so you can pick from:
- Curtains
- Blinds
- Shutters
- Awnings
- Drapes
- Venetian blinds
In each product range you may find various designs, types and styles.
Any of these can work in small spaces, so it’s wise to familiarise yourself with their features. This will also help you have practical discussions with vendors so you can make informed decisions.
Using the guidelines below and do thorough research. Eventually you’ll be able to pick a window covering that could make a remarkable positive change in a room, even in a small apartment.
How to Pick the Right Window Covers for Your Home
A few smart questions are all you need to point you in the direction of the most appropriate window treatments.
What’s the Shape and Size of Windows?
Start off with what the windows look like. You’ll need the measurements when buying or ordering. Also, the shape could determine what you eventually buy. For example, a small round window will definitely need a custom solution (see more about this below).
What are Your Aesthetic Needs?
Do you want the curtains to make a statement in the room, so you don’t need other décor to create a ‘Wow-effect’? Then a striking colour is best.
Also consider which colours evoke which emotions if you want to create a specific atmosphere in the bedroom or living room.
Does the Room Have a Specific Purpose?
The purpose of the room can also direct you in terms of the colour scheme and type. For example, you’ll want an upbeat atmosphere in a kid’s room, while a home office may need a professional look if you often have video calls with clients and need a proper background. Wooden shutters can seem more office-like, while soft fabric will make a bedroom feel more cosy.
What are the Lighting Needs?
Small spaces can easily feel cramped, but they feel more spacious if you let in more light. This is one reason why sheer curtains come in handy in a small apartment. You can have privacy, but still enjoy natural light.
However, for a bedroom you may require layers, so you can enjoy light during the day through sheer fabric, but block out street light and sounds at night by drawing a thick curtain closed.
If you want to manage the amount of light coming in throughout the day, blinds and shutters are very efficient.
What’s the Weather Like?
Use the climate to guide you!
In a cold climate you’ll need insulation, so layers of curtains work well. However, if you want to easily manage ventilation on hot days, it’s another reason to consider blinds and shutters. Products like the roller shutters Dandenong homes often have allow you great control of how much light and air will enter and exit the room. They’re also excellent at insulating a room and as a bonus it makes your apartment more energy efficient.
How Much Maintenance do You Want?
Curtains will need washing and blinds or shutters will require the occasional wipe down. If you need a low maintenance solution—for example for an elderly person who can’t manage washing a large curtain by themselves—talk to vendors about window coverings that require the least amount of care.
How Can Window Treatments Create More Space?
For your tiny apartment, window coverings carry many opportunities to create the illusion of space:
- Hang curtains from high up on the wall to create longer lines.
- Use minimalistic designs for shutters or blinds, so a room doesn’t feel cluttered.
- Pick fabric with vertical lines to make the roof seem higher. Horisontal lines can make a room seem longer or wider.
If you have an outside area, can outdoor blinds help you turn it into an additional functional space?
Can You Get Custom Solutions?
If a curtain or blind doesn’t quite fit into the window space, it can look very untidy and even cause the room to feel cluttered. In a small apartment you need a sleek, minimal approach, so getting custom fitted curtains or blinds, manufactured according to your exact window dimensions is the smart way to go.
Last Words and Tips
Asking these questions will have you well on your way to picking a curtain or blinds that will complement—even enhance—your apartment. We do suggest you invest in quality fabrics and also enquire about the longevity of mechanisms, so you make an investment that will last a long time!