Best Curtains for Small Apartments or Studios (Abu Dhabi Guide)
Table of Contents
- 1 Types of Curtains That Work Best in Small Apartments
- 2 Space-Saving Curtain Rods & Mounting Ideas
- 3 Best Fabric & Color Choices for Small Rooms
- 4 Curtain Ideas Based on Apartment Layout
- 5 Measuring Curtains the Right Way (Small Space Formula)
- 6 Maintenance Tips for Abu Dhabi Apartments
- 7 Ready-Made vs Custom Curtains in Abu Dhabi
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions❓
In a small apartment or studio, curtains not only cover the windows but also affect the room’s size, lighting, and privacy. The right curtains can make a small room look bigger, while the wrong curtains can make it feel cramped and cluttered. Light colors, the right fabrics, and the right length of curtains can visually expand a room’s space, even making the ceiling seem higher.
In conditions of intense sunlight, heat, and design, the curtain fabric also becomes important, as controlling the room temperature and reducing UV rays depend on choosing the right curtains. And most rental apartments prohibit drilling, so innovative solutions for curtain installation are also needed, such as tension rods or ceiling tracks.
Types of Curtains That Work Best in Small Apartments
When choosing curtains for a small apartment or studio, it’s important to consider not just the color or design, but also the purpose for which the curtains will serve. The following curtain types increase visual space in small spaces, control light, and help you use the room more efficiently.
Sheer Curtains
Light and airy sheer curtains make a small room look bigger. Natural light enters, but people outside cannot see inside clearly, providing both privacy and brightness.
Blackout Curtains
With the sun and high temperatures in Abu Dhabi, blackout curtains keep the room cool and ensure a good night’s sleep. Even in a small room, it won’t feel heavy if you choose the right color (light grey, beige, soft blue, etc.).
Dual-Layer Curtains
By combining sheer + blackout, you can control both daylight and nighttime privacy. In a studio apartment, one set does two jobs; no need to hang separate curtains.
Vertical or Panel Curtains
Vertical or panel curtains that run down the wall visually increase the room’s height, making a small room look more spacious.
Room Divider Curtains
A room-divider curtain works great if you want to create a separate sleeping space, workspace, or living area within a room. It’s easy to set up using a tension rod without drilling.
Space-Saving Curtain Rods & Mounting Ideas
In a small apartment, the way you hang the curtains, not just the curtains themselves, determines the space and visual impact of the room. The right rod or mounting technique can make a room feel taller, larger, and more open, especially in a studio or small rental flat.
Ceiling Mount vs Wall Mount
Placing the rod just below the ceiling lengthens the curtains, making the ceiling appear higher and the room feel larger. In a small room, a ceiling-mount is more space-enhancing than a wall-mount.
Tension Rods / No-Drill Rods
Many rental apartments in Abu Dhabi prohibit drilling. In that case, you can install tension rods or spring rods in doors and windows without screws for a quick, damage-free setup, and remove them later if needed.
Hidden Tracks & Corner Rods
In an open-plan studio, you can use a corner rod or a ceiling track to separate the living space, the bed space, or the work area. Using a hidden track makes the curtains appear to float, giving the room a more modern, uncluttered look.
Best Fabric & Color Choices for Small Rooms
Curtains in small apartments affect the room’s lighting, temperature, dust accumulation, and visual space, so when choosing fabric and color, it’s not just about “doing it look good,” but how it makes the room feel.
Light, Breathable Fabrics
Cotton, linen, and sheer fabrics work great in small rooms. They are light, airy, and don’t constrict the room. Especially if the windows are small, light fabrics give the room a more open feel.
Thermal / Blackout Fabrics
If direct sunlight enters the room from the windows in a city like Abu Dhabi, a blackout or thermal curtain can help keep the room cool. It also reduces the AC’s load.
Smart Color Strategy
- Light colored curtains = the room looks more open
- Vertical patterns = ceiling seems higher
- Choosing a shade close to the wall color will make the curtains stand out and the room feel larger.
Dust-Resistant Fabrics
Because of dust, choose fabrics that are less likely to attract dust and are easy to wash. Anti-dust coated curtains or washable linen/cotton are most practical in small rooms.
Curtain Ideas Based on Apartment Layout
Even though the number of rooms in a small apartment is limited, usage varies, so one type of curtain does not fit everywhere. Choosing the right curtain style for the room’s layout saves space, controls light, and makes the room look much more organized.
For Studio Apartments (one big room)
In a studio, sleeping, working, and sitting all happen in the same space. That’s why a room-divider curtain works great. Using a dual-layer (sheer + blackout) lets in light during the day and provides privacy at night.
For Small 1BHK Living Rooms
A light-colored sheer curtain paired with a light blackout combo makes a room look bigger and brighter. Using long ceiling-mount curtains makes the ceiling seem higher, making the room look wider.
For Balcony or Sliding Door Windows
Thermal blackout or UV-protected curtains help reduce the sun and heat. Panel or vertical curtains give sliding doors a smooth look and take up less space.
For Kitchenette or Partition Corners
Mini sheer or café-style curtains provide light control in a small kitchen or open-shelf section, while taking up less space. If you want to hide the view of the cooking area, a lightweight room-divider curtain is very useful.
Measuring Curtains the Right Way (Small Space Formula)
If the curtains are not sized correctly in a small apartment, the room can feel smaller and cramped. But if you know the correct size formula, the room will look visually larger, taller, and tidier; this is the “small space curtain rule”.
1. Height Formula: The higher the rod, the longer the room
Place the rod near the ceiling, not directly above the window. Standard rule: Place the rod at least 15–20cm above the top of the window. This will make the curtains look longer, the ceiling look higher, and the room feel larger.
2. Width Formula: The curtain should cover the sides as well.
The true beauty of the curtain is its “fullness.” Use the 2× rule for this:
- Window width × 2 = curtain width
- Also, leave 10–15cm extra on both sides so that light cannot enter through the gap.
3. Length Rule: If it is too short, the room will look small.
Floor-length curtains = the room instantly looks premium; a “half curtain” stopped below the window creates an even more negligible space effect in small rooms.
Common Mistakes
- Rod set too low
- The curtains become too narrow because you press them against the window.
- Short length curtain (not reaching the floor)
Maintenance Tips for Abu Dhabi Apartments
If curtains are not maintained properly, they can fade, become stiff, and even cause allergic reactions. The following tips will help keep your curtains durable for longer:
Dust Control is a Must
The air in Abu Dhabi is dusty, so dust accumulation on the curtain is normal.
- Light cleaning with a vacuum or brush attachment once a week
- Regular cleaning of AC vents placed near windows reduces dust accumulation.
- Choosing hypoallergenic or anti-dust fabric makes maintenance easier
Know When to Machine-Wash vs Dry-Clean
- Cotton, linen, sheer – usually machine-washable
- Blackout, velvet, thermal lining – safe to dry clean or spot clean
- Always check the care label; it is important to prevent fabric damage.
Curtain Lifespan in Strong Sunlight
The sun in Abu Dhabi is very strong, and if you choose the wrong fabric, the color can fade within 1-2 years.
- UV-protected or thermal-lined curtains last for 3–5 years
- Light colors fade less in the sun, dark colors lose color faster
- Rotating the curtain (left-right swap) keeps the color consistent and increases the lifespan
Ready-Made vs Custom Curtains in Abu Dhabi
The first question many people have when buying curtains for a small apartment is, Should they be ready-made or custom-made? Both types of curtains have their own advantages, but if you make the right decision based on the room size and light control, they will be comfortable to use.
| Feature | Ready-Made | Custom-Made |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Budget-friendly | Relatively high |
| Fit | Sizes may not always match. | Perfect fit for the window and room. |
| Heat / Dust Control | Fabric options are limited. | Blackout, thermal, anti-dust can be chosen as desired. |
| Rental-Friendly | Easy to install and replace | Install service available; tension rod / no-drill option |
| Design Choice | Specific collection | You can select based on your own interior. |
If you want the perfect fit, the right fabric, and the “exact look” in a small space, custom-made curtains are the best option. And if you need something quick, cheap, and hassle-free? Then, a ready-made can do the job.
If you want custom-fit, blackout, or tension-rod-friendly curtains for a small apartment, having local support in Abu Dhabi is a great advantage.
(Recommended: Best Curtains Shop – for custom sizes + on-site measurement service)
Frequently Asked Questions❓
Sheer or light-colored floor-length curtains.
Yes. They block sunlight, reduce heat, improve sleep, and even lower AC usage, making them very useful in Abu Dhabi’s weather.
Floor-length. Short curtains make the room look visually smaller.
Yes, tension rods or no-drill ceiling tracks work perfectly.
Every 2–3 months, or sooner if the room faces a balcony or the roadside.
