11 Gorgeous Kitchen Curtain Ideas That’ll Add Instant Charm
Kitchens are a mecca for sleek counters and stainless steel, and without decor, they can read as one-note and overly industrial. Curtains are the opposite of industrial, offering a warmth and coziness that’s just right for cooking your favorite meals and chatting around the island. Plus, depending on where you live, they can deliver necessary privacy.
“You can have some fun and get really creative with your choice of fabric and trim,” says Gail Davis, owner and principal designer of her namesake interior design firm in South Orange, New Jersey. She advises you “think about how you want your kitchen to feel” to start narrowing down your options. You can also scroll through the kitchen curtain ideas we’ve rounded up for you below.
1. Make a Match
It’s a classic design dilemma: There are two windows that are different heights and require different types of curtains. How do you create more consistency? The answer is easy: Use the same exact fabric.
2. Play Peek-a-Boo
Cafe curtains are a designer-loved way to add privacy without compromising natural light by only covering up the bottom half of the window. They’re a breeze to maintain because they’re so short, and the look is classic and cozy.
3. Go (Ging)ham
What is it about gingham curtains that are just perfect for a kitchen? The charming pattern leans nostalgic in red, subconsciously reminding you of a picnic tablecloth. If you opt for a fun color, it’s a simple way to add a pop of drama to the space.
4. Play the Matching Game
This kitchen takes matchy-matchy to the next level, and it works, making a color-happy statement. Blue and turquoise hues are joined by pops of yellow, then tied together by the roman shade and curtain fabric that includes all the shades.
5. Give It Color
In this kitchen, everything from the cabinets to the countertop to the walls is neutral — except for the valance curtain on the window. It delivers some much-needed personality to the space, especially being a pattern instead of a solid.
6. Mix It Up
This kitchen had multiple windows in need of curtains, and instead of going for a matching moment, the owner went for one fabric on the left wall and another over the sink. The pattern mixing is taken even further with the wallpaper and linoleum floors, creating an eclectic yet design-forward space.
7. Let It Roll(er Shades)
Roller shades and curtains are basically a power couple: The former takes care of privacy, while the latter is all about aesthetics, adding a super homey touch. In this kitchen specifically, they’re both ivory and semi-sheer so as not to detract from the waterfront view.
8. Fine Print
Ditsy florals, punchy geometrics, subtle neutrals — the amount of patterns out there is endless, and there’s something for every style. Incorporating patterns, whether through your curtains, tiles, or upholstery, is a foolproof method for designing a dynamic space.
9. On the Fringe
Otherwise minimalist valance curtains are made boho with macramé trim in the same shade, adding texture, movement, and distinctive style. If you favor solid neutrals but don’t want to go too simple, fringe might just be your solution.
10. Go Dark
Here, the black in the curtains matches the black door and countertop, but it doesn’t feel too dark because of the colorful pattern, light walls, and pendant. Bonus: You’re way less likely to notice any stains that pop up.
11. Knot It
An alternative to cafe curtains that still brings in a lot of light? Tying a knot on your curtain panel can make a room feel more casual, and can also be a scrappy way to shave some length off the bottom.