Small spaces can often feel cramped and confined, limiting our ability to express personal style and functionality. However, with strategic design choices, even the tiniest areas can be transformed into spacious-feeling, efficient environments. The key lies in maximizing every vertical inch while creating visual pathways that draw the eye throughout the space, making rooms feel more expansive than their square footage suggests.

Creator Michaela Hillman (@michaela) has introduced a brilliantly simple yet effective tip for anyone struggling with compact living areas. Her approach focuses on an often-overlooked aspect of interior design: the ceiling. “The key to making your small space look even taller or bigger is to focus on the ceiling,” Hillman advises. This insight challenges conventional design wisdom, which typically emphasizes floor space and wall treatments while neglecting the potential of overhead areas.

In her viral video demonstration, Hillman showcases her small bathroom where she mounted her shower curtain rod directly from the ceiling instead of at the traditional halfway point. “Because who said shower curtains should only clock in halfway?” she asks. “Starting your shower curtain from the ceiling makes sure that your eyes look all the way up and take advantage of all of your real estate,” Hillman explains. This simple adjustment creates a dramatic vertical effect that makes the bathroom appear significantly more spacious and elegant, proving that sometimes the most impactful design solutions are also the most straightforward.

@michaela.hillman

bc who said shower curtains should clock in only halfway?? 🚿 #bathroom #bathroomdesign #homedecor #interiordesign #interiortok #diy #apartmenttherapy #curtains #shower #bathroommakeover #smallbathroomideas #luxurybathroom #guestbathroom

♬ original sound – Michaela ✨

How to Implement the Ceiling-to-Floor Curtain Hack

For those looking to replicate Hillman’s space-expanding technique, the process is surprisingly accessible. First, Hillman spray-painted a few IKEA ceiling tracks to match her wall color, then cut them to the exact size of her shower. Since standard shower curtains aren’t designed for ceiling-height installations, she created a custom solution by using a traditional shower liner on the inside and linen window curtains from Amazon for the outer layer, creating a luxurious, full-length effect.

The shopping list is straightforward: two curtain tracks, one shower liner, and one window curtain. For renters or those hesitant about permanent installations, Hillman suggests using a tension rod mounted at the maximum height possible, with a standard shower liner on the inside rod and a full-length curtain on the outer rod. This rental-friendly adaptation delivers similar visual impact without requiring modifications that might affect security deposits.