Roman Shades for Small Windows: Getting the Proportions Right
Quick answer: Roman shades are excellent for small windows, but you must choose a "flat fold" style to prevent the fabric from overwhelming the glass. An outside mount is highly recommended for small windows, as it allows the shade to stack completely above the glass when raised, preserving your natural light and making the window appear larger.
Dressing a small window is tricky. Heavy curtains can swallow the wall space, while aluminum mini blinds can look cheap and utilitarian. This is where Roman shades shine. They offer the softness and elegance of drapery but in a compact, tailored footprint that doesn't waste an inch of floor space.
However, getting Roman shades right on a small window comes down entirely to proportions. If the folds are too bulky or the mount is wrong, you'll block half your sunlight. Here is how to measure, mount, and style Roman shades specifically for small windows.
The Golden Rule: Choose the Right Fold Style
Roman shades come in several styles, but not all of them work on a small footprint.
- The Best Choice: Flat Fold (or Classic) Shades. When lowered, the fabric hangs completely flat. When raised, it folds up tightly and crisply. Because there is no excess fabric, the "stack height" (the amount of space the shade takes up when fully raised) is minimal. This is crucial for small windows where every inch of glass matters.
- The Worst Choice: Soft Fold (or Hobbled) Shades. These shades have permanent, billowing loops of fabric even when fully lowered. They look luxurious on large, grand windows, but on a small window, the heavy folds look crowded and disproportionate. Furthermore, when raised, the stack height is massive and will permanently block the top quarter of your window.
Inside Mount vs. Outside Mount on Small Windows
How you mount the shade makes a massive difference in how large the window feels.
Why you should usually choose an Outside Mount:
If you mount a Roman shade inside a small window frame, the fabric stack will hang down into the glass even when the shade is fully open. On a window that is only 36 inches tall, losing 6 to 8 inches of glass at the top makes the room feel significantly darker and more cramped.
By using an outside mount, you can install the hardware a few inches above the window trim. When the shade is pulled all the way up, the fabric stack rests on the wall above the window, exposing 100% of the glass. This is an interior designer trick to make small windows appear much taller than they actually are.
When to use an Inside Mount:
You should only use an inside mount on a small window if the window has beautiful, deep decorative molding that you don't want to cover up, or if there simply isn't enough wall space above the window to accommodate the hardware. If you must do an inside mount, consider roller shades instead, as they roll up into a much tighter space than folded fabric. See our Roller Shades vs. Roman Shades guide for a direct comparison.
Patterns and Colors for Small Spaces
Because the window is small, you have to be careful with fabric choices so the shade doesn't look like a cluttered postage stamp on your wall.
- Solids and Textures: A solid color is always a safe bet. To keep it from looking boring, choose a fabric with a rich texture, like a linen blend or a subtle woven grass.
- Small-Scale Patterns: If you want a pattern, keep it small. A massive floral print will get cut off awkwardly on a small shade. A delicate stripe, a subtle geometric print, or a small polka dot works beautifully.
- Vertical Stripes: If the window is short and squat, a fabric with vertical stripes will draw the eye upward, giving the illusion of height.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Small windows often mean the shades are placed in tighter spaces where they might collect dust more easily. Because they are made of fabric, Roman shades require different care than faux wood or aluminum blinds. You should vacuum them regularly with a soft brush attachment. If they get a stain, spot-clean them with a mild detergent, but never submerge them in water. For detailed care instructions, see our guide on how to clean roman shades.
When NOT to Use Roman Shades on Small Windows
While Roman shades look fantastic on most small windows, there are two specific locations in the house where you should avoid them:
- The Small Bathroom Window: Bathrooms are highly humid. The thick fabric of a Roman shade will absorb steam from the shower, leading to mildew, mold, and odors that are impossible to wash out. Use waterproof faux wood blinds instead.
- The Small Kitchen Sink Window: If the window is directly above the sink, a fabric shade will absorb splashing dishwater and aerosolized cooking grease. It will look dirty very quickly. Again, a wipeable PVC or faux wood blind is a much better functional choice here. For these areas, see our guide on Best Blinds for the Window Above Your Kitchen Sink.
Conclusion
Roman shades are arguably the most elegant solution for small windows, provided you stick to a flat fold style and seriously consider an outside mount. They add the perfect touch of softness to a room without eating up valuable square footage.
0 comments