8 Kitchen Curtain Ideas for a Charming, Light-Filled Space

Cafe Curtains

Café curtains are hung from a tension rod, usually at about the halfway point of your window. In this kitchen, a soft café curtain made from semi-sheer, patterned fabric filters light, while still maintaining privacy.

"The fabric’s pattern echoes the wallpaper motif, creating a cohesive, layered look that ties the small space together," says Mimi Meacham, founder and principal designer at Marian Louise Design. "Its gentle texture and subtle pattern add warmth and charm, softening the clean lines of the cabinetry and brass fixtures."

Matching Window and Cabinet Curtains

French country and farmhouse design was a source of inspiration in this design by Gray Benko Home.

"This kitchen was all about happy practicality. We used matching fabric for the under-counter curtain and the window Roman shade, which ties the space together without feeling fussy," says Chelcie Eastman, project manager, interior designer, and co-founder of the firm. "The citrus-y floral print brings life to the crisp white cabinetry and blue striped wallpaper." It’s proof that even a small kitchen can have a big personality.

Patterned Roman Shade

Roman shades are a practical choice for kitchens and dining spaces; they allow for easy customization and come in many patterns, colors, and textures. You can even choose between a flat Roman shade (as pictured here) versus more relaxed styles.

"We used this window shade to bring in a subtle influx of color and soften a space filled with hard finishes and metals," Meacham says. "Our goal was to create a calming, cozy space that still feels light, bright, and airy."

Floor to Ceiling Curtains

Depending on your space, you may have the opportunity to add floor-to-ceiling curtains.

"With this particular kitchen, we had tall, open French doors and lots of light, so we did long curtains that go to the floor and give height and grandeur," says interior designer Andrea Sinkin. "It feels very finished and cozy."

White Linen Roller Shades

If you want your window coverings to completely blend into the space, then go with streamlined, white linen roller shades.

"For kitchens, we most often get the request that our clients would like to have the option of privacy, so we lean towards a look that's typically more minimalistic," says Dijana Savic-Jambert, interior designer at Maredi Design. "This space is a perfect example of exactly that: white linen roller shades that provide privacy and UV protection, complete with motorized capabilities."

Earthy Wooden Shades

Natural textiles instantly soften a space, while feeling like a neutral addition.

"I brought in a warm woven wood shade to break up the lights and whites in this kitchen," says Meacham. "The tan color in the window shade also helped tie in the tan tile in the checkerboard floor." At the same time, it lends some contrasting softness to the marble, granite, and metal.

Centered Half Curtain

Cafe curtains like these ensure that the kitchen still has plenty of light, even when the curtains are closed. They're centered across the window, leaving both the top and bottom open for natural light. The playful checkered blue pattern adds a surprising accent to the rustic design.

Accent Curtain

This cozy, lived-in kitchen didn't happen by accident. Its old-world charm comes courtesy of the pine cabinets, hand-painted floors, and patterned tiles.

"We didn’t want anything that would compete, so we used a small-scale, patterned curtain in a traditional print for just the right touch of softness," Benko says. "It helps ground all the natural textures, including the wood, tile, and stone, while still feeling timeless."

He adds that in a kitchen this warm and layered, the curtain becomes both a design detail and a functional piece, softening the architecture and adding just the right dose of nostalgia.