Curtains can completely change how a window looks.

Get the proportions right and a small window can suddenly feel larger. A low ceiling can appear taller. A wide window can feel balanced instead of overwhelming the room.

Get them wrong and even beautiful fabric can look awkward.

At C&M Textiles, we have been working with fabrics and custom window treatments since 1948. With locations in Montreal, Laval, Brossard and Ottawa, we have dressed just about every type of window imaginable.

Small bedroom windows. Oversized patio doors. Bay windows. Floor-to-ceiling condo glass. Tall windows in older Montreal homes. Large open spaces where several windows need to work together.

One lesson has remained consistent: the size of the window should influence the curtain style, but it should not dictate it completely.

The real goal is to consider the window, wall, ceiling height and room as one composition.

Here is how we approach it.

Why Window Size Matters When Choosing Curtains

Curtains create vertical and horizontal lines in a room.

Those lines affect how we perceive the size of the window and even the size of the room itself.

This is why simply measuring the glass and ordering curtains to match can be a mistake.

Imagine a small window that measures 40 inches wide. If you install a curtain rod exactly 40 inches wide and hang the curtains directly above the frame, you visually reinforce how small that window is.

Extend the treatment beyond the frame and install it higher on the wall, and the same window can suddenly appear much more substantial.

The actual window did not change.

Its proportions did.

That is one of the most useful things to understand about curtains.

What Are the Best Curtains for Small Windows?

Small windows often benefit from curtains that create the illusion of additional height and width.

Our instinct is usually not to emphasize the small dimensions.

Instead, we try to visually expand them.

Hang Curtains Higher Than the Window

One of the simplest techniques is installing the curtain rod above the window frame rather than directly against it.

Drawing the eye upward can make the window and ceiling appear taller.

Depending on the room, taking the curtains close to ceiling height can create an even stronger effect.

Extend the Curtains Beyond the Window

Width matters too.

Allowing the rod or track to extend beyond the window gives the curtain somewhere to sit when it is open.

This has two benefits.

First, more of the glass remains exposed, which allows additional natural light into the room.

Second, the overall window treatment appears wider than the actual window.

For a small bedroom or living room, that visual difference can be significant.

Keep the Fabric in Proportion

Heavy, bulky curtains can overwhelm a very small window.

Lighter fabrics, sheers and refined drapery styles often create a softer result.

That does not mean small windows cannot handle colour or pattern. They absolutely can.

The important part is scale.

A huge pattern on a small amount of fabric may look completely different from the same pattern across a large wall of drapery.

What Are the Best Curtains for Wide Windows?

Wide windows present the opposite challenge.

Instead of trying to create width, we often need to manage it.

Large patio doors, picture windows and combined window sections can create a beautiful architectural feature, but they require enough fabric to look intentional.

Ripple Fold Curtains Work Beautifully on Wide Windows

Ripple fold drapery is one of our favourite styles for wide windows.

The fabric falls in consistent, flowing folds that create a clean and contemporary appearance.

Because the folds repeat evenly across the treatment, ripple fold curtains work particularly well across large expanses of glass.

They are also practical when the curtains need to open and close regularly.

For modern condos, patio doors and open-concept living spaces, ripple fold drapery can be an excellent choice.

Do Not Underestimate Fullness

This is where trying to save a little money can hurt the finished result.

Wide windows require enough fabric.

Curtains that barely cover the opening when closed can look flat and inexpensive, even when the fabric itself is beautiful.

Fullness creates depth, movement and softness.

The exact amount depends on the curtain style, fabric and hardware, but this is one area where professional planning makes a noticeable difference.

What Curtains Work Best for Tall Windows?

Tall windows are an opportunity.

Do not be afraid of their height.

In many cases, the worst thing you can do is visually cut them short.

Use Full-Length Drapery

Floor-length curtains reinforce the vertical proportions of tall windows.

If the architecture allows it, installing the track or hardware close to the ceiling can make the treatment feel even more dramatic.

This works beautifully in homes with high ceilings and in rooms where the windows are a major architectural feature.

Consider the Weight of the Fabric

Tall curtains use a lot of material.

That means fabric weight becomes important.

A fabric that looks relatively light on a small sample can behave very differently when several metres of it are hanging from a track.

The hardware also needs to support the finished treatment properly.

This is one reason we always prefer to consider the fabric and hardware together rather than treating them as separate decisions.

How Should You Dress Floor-to-Ceiling Windows?

Floor-to-ceiling windows deserve special attention because covering them incorrectly can defeat the reason people love them.

The view is usually the star.

We see this frequently in modern condos, especially in Montreal and Ottawa.

The objective is often to provide privacy and light control without making the glass feel heavy.

Sheer Curtains Are Excellent for Large Glass Areas

Sheers soften a large window without completely disconnecting the room from the outdoors.

During the day, they can filter harsh light and create a softer atmosphere.

They also introduce movement and texture without the visual weight of heavier drapery.

Ripple fold sheers are particularly effective across floor-to-ceiling glass because their clean, consistent folds complement modern architecture.

For additional privacy or room darkening, sheers can be layered with another window treatment.

What Are the Best Curtains for Narrow Windows?

Narrow windows can look taller than they are wide, which sometimes creates awkward proportions.

The solution is often to add visual width.

Extending the curtain treatment beyond the sides of the window can help.

When open, the fabric sits partially or completely outside the glass area. This exposes more of the window and creates the impression of a wider opening.

We generally avoid squeezing a large amount of heavy fabric into a narrow area unless the design specifically calls for drama.

Again, proportion matters.

What Curtains Work for Short Windows?

Short windows are common in bedrooms, basements and older homes.

Homeowners sometimes assume that the curtains should stop near the bottom of the window.

That can work in certain situations, but it is not always our first choice.

If the room allows it, floor-length curtains can make a short window appear much taller.

The eye sees the long vertical line of the fabric rather than focusing entirely on the dimensions of the glass.

This is one of those design techniques that can feel surprising until you see the finished room.

A relatively ordinary window can suddenly look much more substantial.

What About Extra-Large Windows and Patio Doors?

Very large windows need to be approached as architectural features.

A patio door or wall of glass may span several metres. At that size, fabric weight, stacking space and ease of operation become major considerations.

Ask yourself:

• Where will the curtains sit when open?

• How much of the glass do you want exposed?

• How often will the curtains be operated?

• Does furniture interfere with the treatment?

• Do you need privacy at night?

• Is direct sunlight an issue?

• Will one continuous treatment look better than several sections?

For frequently used patio doors, smooth operation is particularly important.

Nobody wants to fight with metres of fabric every time they step outside.

This is another reason ripple fold and well-designed track systems are popular for large openings.

Should Curtains Touch the Floor?

In most living rooms, bedrooms and dining spaces, we prefer full-length curtains to finish at or very close to the floor.

The exact treatment depends on the desired look.

Curtains That Just Meet the Floor

This creates a clean, tailored appearance.

It works particularly well with contemporary interiors and ripple fold drapery.

Curtains With a Slight Break

Allowing a small amount of additional fabric can create a softer, more relaxed appearance.

This works well with certain traditional and transitional styles.

Puddled Curtains

Longer curtains that intentionally gather on the floor create a romantic, luxurious look.

They can be beautiful in the right room.

They are also less practical.

If you have pets, young children or a robotic vacuum that patrols your home every night, excessive fabric on the floor may quickly become annoying.

Beautiful design still needs to work in real life.

How Wide Should Curtains Be Compared With the Window?

This is where custom window treatments make a major difference.

The finished curtain width should not simply equal the width of the window.

Curtains need fullness.

They also need somewhere to stack when open.

How much additional width is appropriate depends on the style of drapery, fabric, track, wall space and desired appearance.

There is no magic measurement that works for every window.

We have seen online rules that suggest multiplying every window measurement by the same number. That may provide a rough starting point, but it ignores too many variables.

A heavy velvet behaves differently from a lightweight sheer.

Pleated drapery behaves differently from ripple fold.

A 48-inch bedroom window has different requirements from a 15-foot wall of glass.

Measure the space, not just the window.

Should Curtains Be Hung From the Ceiling?

Sometimes, yes.

Ceiling-mounted curtain tracks can create a beautiful architectural effect.

They work especially well with:

• Floor-to-ceiling windows

• Modern condos

• Low ceilings that you want to visually heighten

• Wide walls of glass

• Ripple fold curtains

• Sheer drapery

• Rooms where you want a clean, minimal appearance

Taking the treatment from ceiling to floor creates one uninterrupted vertical line.

That can make a room feel taller and more polished.

However, ceiling mounting is not automatically right for every home.

Crown moulding, ceiling construction, heating systems, window placement and other architectural details can affect the installation.

Do Large Windows Need Heavy Curtains?

No.

This is a misconception we encounter regularly.

A large window does not automatically require heavy fabric.

In fact, some of the most impressive large-window installations use extremely light sheers.

The correct fabric depends on what the curtains need to accomplish.

If you want softness and filtered daylight, sheers may be ideal.

If you need privacy and room darkening, lined drapery or a layered window treatment may be more appropriate.

If insulation is important, fabric construction and lining become more relevant.

Start with the function. Then choose the look.

How Curtain Fabric Changes the Finished Result

Curtain style and fabric cannot really be separated.

A structured fabric creates more defined folds.

A lightweight sheer moves differently.

Velvet creates depth and absorbs light.

Linen brings natural texture and a relaxed character.

Pattern introduces another consideration because the scale and repeat need to work with the dimensions of the treatment.

This is why we always encourage customers to look at more than a tiny fabric sample.

You need to imagine that material covering several feet of wall.

Whenever possible, look at larger samples and consider them inside the actual room.

Lighting can completely change the appearance of colour and texture.

Common Curtain Mistakes to Avoid

After decades of working with custom window treatments, we see certain mistakes repeatedly.

Most are preventable.

• Hanging curtains too low above the window

• Choosing a rod or track that is too narrow

• Using too little fabric

• Ignoring where the curtains will stack when open

• Choosing fabric before considering the window dimensions

• Stopping curtains at an awkward height

• Forgetting about furniture near the window

• Ignoring radiators or heating elements

• Selecting heavy fabric for hardware that cannot support it

• Measuring only the glass instead of the complete wall area

The most expensive fabric in the world will not rescue poor proportions.

Measurements and planning come first.

How to Choose Curtains Based on Window Size

When deciding which curtains are right for your windows, step back and look at the entire wall.

Do not begin with the fabric.

Ask:

How wide is the window?

How tall is it?

How high is the ceiling?

How much wall space exists on each side?

Where can the curtains stack?

Do I want the window to appear larger?

How much natural light do I want to preserve?

Do I need daytime or nighttime privacy?

Will the curtains be opened every day?

What furniture is positioned nearby?

Once those questions are answered, choosing the curtain style becomes much easier.

Custom Curtains for Every Window Size

The best curtain style is not determined by window size alone.

It comes from understanding proportion.

A small window may benefit from curtains that make it appear larger. A wide window needs enough fullness to create balance. Tall windows can become dramatic architectural features. Floor-to-ceiling glass often looks beautiful with light, flowing drapery that preserves the sense of openness.

That is where custom window treatments earn their place.

At C&M Textiles, we have specialized in fabrics, custom curtains and window treatments since 1948. Today, we serve homeowners, designers and businesses through our four locations in Montreal, Laval, Brossard and Ottawa.

We look at more than the measurements of the glass.

We consider the wall, ceiling, fabric, furniture, natural light, privacy requirements and how you actually use the room.

Because the best curtains should do more than fit your windows.

They should make the windows, and the entire room, look better.