How to Make a Small Room Appear Bigger with Shutters

Do you want to visually expand a cramped room? The right window treatments can work magic. Shutters offer smart options to make small spaces feel more open and airy. Here are tips on using shutters to enlarge a room’s look and feel.

Carefully considering shutters’ design, scale and placement can prevent windows from boxing you in. Instead, they can enhance flow and dimensions.

Choose slender shutter slats

Wide shutter slats and bulky frames box in windows and emphasize their size. More slender options open up the view:

• Thin strip plantation shutters keep the look lightweight.
• Delicate bamboo slat shutters add texture without overpowering space.
• Slimline vinyl or aluminum shutters maximize visible glass area.

Select unobtrusive hardware

Chunky shutter handles, hinges and mounts highlight the window. Minimize these instead:

• Concealed hinges for a sleek, unbroken look.
• Hidden control rods to keep window lines clean.
• Low profile mounts to avoid heavy top frames.

Keep shutters partially open

Completely closed shutters close in space. But leave them open to expand it:

• Let sunlight permeate through open slats.
• Stack shutters to the side to expose more glass.
• Angle louvres open wider.

Use larger, fewer shutters

Lots of small shutters chop up windows. Minimize divisions with:

• Full height shutters spanning floor to ceiling.
• Wide shutter panels covering entire window panes.
• Continuous shutters across multiple windows.

Paint colors to match walls

Contrasting shutter colors differentiate windows from walls. Continuity expands space:

• White shutters on white walls recede quietly.
• Match colored shutters to wall hues for blend.

With thoughtful design selections, shutters can actually make rooms feel more expansive instead of small. Use their flexibility to open up cramped spaces visually.