20 Kitchen Curtains to Lighten and Brighten Your Kitchen Instantly

Kitchen curtains can have a tremendous impact on your space. They are the easiest way to add visual appeal in your kitchen.

20 Kitchen Curtains to Lighten and Brighten Your Kitchen Instantly

Pay attention to the windows, if they need some dressing or at least a change, we’ve got a full list of 20 kitchen curtains that will lighten, brighten and restyle instantly.

The Diversity of Kitchen Curtains

Having windows in your kitchen adds a fun element for designing and styling your kitchen. 

With so many varieties of window treatments, the options are endless for matching your character and lifestyle with curtains in your kitchen. 

Kitchen Curtain Types

Whether your kitchen is farmhouse or modern, compact or spacious, there’s kitchen curtains for everything. 

Different kitchen curtain styles include:

  • Full-window cafe curtains
  • Half-window cafe curtains
  • Valance curtains
  • Balloon valances
  • Swag valances
  • Shade curtains
  • Roman shades
  • Pull-down shades
  • Full-Length Curtain Panels

From privacy and low lighting to colorful and bright, you can design any window with these different curtain types.

20 Kitchen Curtain Ideas

Design around your natural light sources with curtains in your kitchen. 

You can easily spruce up your kitchen with valances, swags, drapes, or cafe curtains. 

Use these kitchen curtain ideas to add personality to your kitchen. 


1. Vintage Kitchen Curtains

Vintage Kitchen Curtains

This small window is dressed perfectly with a subtle, black and white print that’s draped just right. It’s a unique set up but one that’s also a bit vintage in style.


2. Wooden Piece

Wooden Piece

Shield the sun away with this super quirky idea. A piece of wood for a rustic appeal may not be an actual curtain but it dresses the window all the same.{found on athomeonthebay}.


3. Whimsy Curtain Styles

Whimsy Curtain Styles

We love the beachy vibe of this window styling. It adds an extra punch of fashion and luxury to the breakfast area and will give some coverage too when you need it.


4. Classic Roll-Up Kitchen Curtains

Classic Roll-Up Kitchen Curtains

If you’re looking for a bit of classic inspiration, check out this rolling, simple print that sets off this white and bright contemporary kitchen … just right.


5. Kitchen Valance Curtains

Kitchen Valance Curtains

Top off your kitchen with some royal essence by contrasting the neutral space with gold and draping it all just right. Really pay attention to getting a thicker, heavier fabric when creating this same look.


6. Roman Shades

Roman Shades

Roman shades – in all colors and prints – will work in the kitchen too. Just start envisioning the final product before you make any choices.


7. Modern Cafe Curtains

Modern Cafe Curtains

Made with a cafe rod at eye level, this look will give your space an extra-special Euro-flair. We love its quirky aspect and romantic appeal too.


8. White Kitchen Curtains

White Kitchen Curtains

This vintage space is topped off right with these light and airy scalloped piece. With a whimsical vibe, your window dressing should help transform the kitchen into your ultimate vision.


9. Color Blocked

Color Blocked

Here’s a beautiful, contemporary example of how to dress the dining area of the kitchen. You’ll get natural light throughout the day and be able to cover it up at night for the dinner party.{found on tobifairley}.


10. Mixing Patterns

Mixing Patterns

For some extra funk and personality, think about mixing and matching some exciting prints. Over the sink and on the door, there’s so much style and fun here.{found on debracampbelldesign}.


11. Rustic Kitchen Curtains with Burlap Sacks

Rustic Kitchen Curtains with Burlap Sacks

If you’re creating a farmhouse kitchen full of texture, why not put up some burlap sacks over the windows? It’ll add dimension and surprise.


12. White Modern Kitchen Curtains

White Modern Kitchen Curtains

Sometimes all white is the right way to go. It’s classic and timeless, and it gives both the coverage and illusion you need.


13. Voluminous Floral

Voluminous Floral

Don’t be afraid to go with something grandiose if it fits the space and your vision. Just look how gorgeous this kitchen and eating area becomes with the extra window dressing.


14. Crisp Blinds

Crisp Blinds

Blind curtains with an easy pattern can add a crisp edge to modern or preppy-styled kitchen. For those that like minimalism or simplicity, this is for you.


15. Trellis Modern Kitchen Curtains

Trellis Modern Kitchen Curtains

Check out these chic, trellis-patterned curtain panels surrounding this contemporary kitchen. It’s got a posh-appeal and womanly flair that we’re drawn to.


16. Lengthy Kitchen Curtains

Lengthy Kitchen Curtains

Floor-to-ceiling options are for the bay windows kitchen too. Just look at this grandiose space and its use of cranberry, extra-long curtains.


17. Sheer Pattern

Sheer Pattern

If you like a sheer curtain but want something with a bit more style, grab one with a pattern. Just check out this contemporary design here.


18. Full Treatment

Full Treatment

Here’s a kitchen that gave the full treatment to it’s windows. You see both blinds and a gorgeous, royal blue curtain dressing the area.


19. Exotic Tradition

Exotic Tradition

Between the exotic florals and the traditional spirit, we’ve loving the uniqueness of this eat-in kitchen area. Just look at that window treatment.


20. Small Kitchen Curtains with Coffee Top

Small Kitchen Curtains with Coffee Top

Check out this coffee shop topping. We are in love with this vintage, adorable addition to the kitchen. What a unique way to dress your windows.


DIY Kitchen Window Curtain Ideas


Kitchen Swag Curtains

Kitchen Swag Curtains

Even if it may not make a ton of sense to put a valance in the kitchen this is definitely an idea that could really suit this space. A window valance can look really nice and hanging it can potentially be super easy as well if you have a couple of wall-mounted cabinets to attach it to for example. Head over to onegoodthingbyjillee to find out more about this cool idea.


Farmhouse Kitchen Curtains

Farmhouse Kitchen Curtains

The idea of having to make new curtains for the kitchen can be discouraging for a lot of people, especially because most curtains require sewing. There are however ways in which you can get around that. For instance, check out these great no-sew curtains from savvysouthernstyle. They’re really easy to make and this could be a lovely weekend project that you could do next.


Decorative Curtains

Decorative Curtains

This rolled fabric shade can also be made without any sewing involved. Something like this can look super nice in a space like a kitchen or a laundry room where there’s really no need to cover up the windows.

It’s mostly just a decorative window treatment, something to make the room feel more welcoming, a way to add some texture and color to the décor. Check out the tutorial for this no-sew fabric shade on theinspiredroom if you’re interested in making something like this.


Long Curtain Panels

Long Curtain Panels

In case you prefer something a bit more classic, how about some simple curtain panels? If your kitchen has windows with no furniture or appliances right below this can actually look really nice and can give the room a more refined and warm feel, more similar to a sitting area.

Just like the idea presented earlier, these are no-sew curtain panels and you can find out all about them in a tutorial featured on artsychicksrule. You can make these out of any type of fabric you like and make them as long or as short as you want them to be in order to fit well into your kitchen.


Homemade Curtain Rod

Homemade Curtain Rod

It’s not just the curtains themselves that matter but the mounting hardware too. Curtain rods are an easy option because they’re very versatile. Also, if you can’t find a rod that has just the right size or if you want to save a bit of money you can actually craft one yourself.

You can use a long wooden dowel and a couple of ping-pong balls for that. It’s actually a perfect idea for small windows like the one in the kitchen and for lightweight curtains and other window treatments. Head over to shineyourlightblog to see how this cool curtain rod can be made from scratch.


Patterned Nook Curtains

Patterned Nook Curtains

Bay windows are known to pose a few challenges when it comes to hanging curtains and other window treatments. If you have bay windows in your kitchen you’re probably using this area as a cozy sitting nook or as a dining corner and the area would look a lot nicer if you were to frame it with long curtains.

The trick is to connect the curtains rods for each window and to have them curve around the corners for a nice and continuous look. It’s all explained in the tutorial which you can find on domestic imperfection.


Step-by-Step Sew Your Own Curtains

Step-by-Step Sew Your Own Curtains

Making basic curtains is pretty easy even when the sewing machine is involved. It doesn’t take long to understand the entire process and if you follow the steps from this tutorial everything will become very clear.

First, you select the fabric, then you measure it and cut it to size, iron the edges, stitch them and finally hang the curtains. Head over to domesticimperfection for more info and more useful tips.


Space Dividing Kitchen Curtains

Space Dividing Kitchen Curtains

Curtains can be used in more than one way. You can think of them as window treatments but also as space dividers. For example, if you have bay windows in your kitchen you can make a pair of long curtains to hide this nook and to create a separate little area.

They’ll also add a lot to the room’s décor even when they’re open. This cool idea comes from homestoriesatoz so head over there to see how these curtains were made.


Easy Curtain Panels

Easy Curtain Panels

A couple of simple curtain panels and a piece of trim can potentially change the look of your entire kitchen. This is also an idea can you can use for other spaces as well. Making these curtains is super easy and the process starts with choosing the type of fabric that you want to use.

Pick a color and a print that suits the style and look and feel of your kitchen. It could be fun to go with a bold print but neutral colors and monochrome designs have their charm as well. Check out cleverlyinspired to see how the rest of the project goes.


Modern Kitchen Curtain Design

Modern Kitchen Curtain Design

You can create your own custom design for the curtains so you don’t necessarily need to look for the exact pattern or print when shopping for fabric.

For example, you can use ribbon to add a cool design to a plain and simple kitchen curtain. You can find out all the details in the tutorial provided on viewalongtheway. Based on that you can come up with your own unique design if you want to try something different and special.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

What is a Kitchen Curtain Called?

There are many names for the different types of kitchen curtains. 

From cafe curtains to valance curtains, it can get confusing unless you know your curtains. 

Most kitchen curtains are short and drape over the top of the window. And the official term for this standardized kitchen curtain is ‘swag valance.’

Is it OK to Have Curtains in the Kitchen?

Kitchen window treatments are totally optional. But, yes, it’s perfectly fine to have curtains in the kitchen.

Some people opt for blinds over curtains to minimize light exposure and for better privacy.

But curtains can be a stylish addition to your kitchen decor.

What's the Point of Cafe Curtains?

Cafe curtains are curtains that start at the middle of the window and end at the bottom of the window. They’re like a skirt for a window. 

The point of cafe curtains is to let light in through the top of the window while maintaining your privacy. 

And you don’t have to keep cafe curtains in the cafe or in the kitchen. They are a stylish addition to bedrooms, bathrooms, or living rooms to control lighting. 

What's the Average Length of Kitchen Curtains?

Most curtains come in standard sizes of 84 inches, 96 inches, and 108 inches. 

The length of curtains depends on the size of your windows and the height of your ceilings.

If you have low ceilings, you’d typically want shorter curtains for a comfortable look. And if you have high ceilings, longer curtains would be better. 

How to Hang Kitchen Curtains

Curtains are useful for controlling light, privacy, and adding style to any space. Thus, you’ll want to hang your curtains right the first time. 

Here’s how to hang your kitchen curtains:

Make sure curtains are wide enough to cover the window.
Choose correct curtain length to cover as much of the window as you want.
Measure from the floor to where you’ll hang the rod.
If your ceiling is straight and level, hang your curtain rod a few inches below the ceiling.
Securely mount the brackets to the wall. 
Attach the curtain to the rod.
Place and secure the rod within the brackets.

And there you have a simple process for how to hang kitchen curtains. 

Where to Buy Kitchen Curtains

Any store near you will surely carry kitchen curtains. 

However, if you’re looking for something specific or the stores don’t have what you’re looking for, shopping online is always an option. 

You can get kitchen curtains on Amazon. Any big retailer like Wal-Mart or Target has kitchen curtains for sale. 

So, when it comes to finding the right curtains for your kitchen, you have several options to purchase from.

Use Kitchen Curtains to Add Style to Your Kitchen

Kitchen curtains vary in texture, color, material, and style. So, personalize your curtains to express and compliment your lifestyle.