What can I put up instead of kitchen curtains?

If ordinary kitchen curtain ideas are too traditional for your taste, you have other options for light control and privacy. Roman blinds and frosted window film are two sleek, simple window treatment options. Shutters are a unique kitchen window treatment that work well in country or cottage style homes. Shutters are a particularly attractive kitchen curtain alternative on a bay window.

Should you put curtains over blinds?

Some people feel that window treatments should consist of only one element. However, layering kitchen curtains over blinds adds depth and beauty to your kitchen windows. Since each type of window treatment serves a different purpose, it’s completely fine to hang them together.

13 Kitchen Curtain Ideas (Different Designs and Patterns)

In this age of modern simplicity, you may wonder if kitchen curtains belong in the past. The truth is that kitchen window treatment options are more amazing than ever!

Like the sprinkles on a cupcake, kitchen curtains can be just the finishing touch that your kitchen needs. Take a few minutes to check out our top kitchen curtain ideas and be amazed at all the great ways you can embellish your kitchen windows.

1. Burlap

Burlap—also called hessian—is a loosely woven type of fabric made from jute, hemp, flax, or another natural fiber. It’s commonly used to make sacks and mats, but its casual, earthy color and texture has made it a popular fabric for curtains and roller shades.

Cozy kitchen window with burlap curtains open to a snowy view, "Eat" decor and small plant on the sill — Source: @sararepurposed via Instagram

For a farmhouse kitchen, look for burlap printed with vintage grain sack images or phrases. Striped burlap fabric can add a punch of color in the kitchen. Burlap also looks great paired with lace, gingham, plaid, or floral fabrics.

2. Cafe

Café curtains are ideal when you need privacy but also want a good amount of natural light to flow freely through your kitchen. These half-sized curtain panels are often paired with a coordinating valance curtain, but that’s not required. You can drape a coordinating piece of fabric at the top of the window instead.

A window with curtain, a small table nearby holds a tissue box, a soap bottle, and a brush, light filters through the tree outside — Source: @redcaryn via Instagram

Kitchen with beige curtains, a small lamp, and a potted topiary on a brown countertop near a window and cabinet — Source: @therusticcottagegal via Instagram

White farmhouse sink with silver faucet, green curtains on a window, white tile backsplash, and countertop items like soap and paper towels — Source: @wheelerlewisdesigns via Instagram

Make simple, inexpensive café curtains with thin placemats or napkins and clip-on curtain rings. Install a basic tension curtain rod and enjoy your stylish DIY window treatment.

3. Elegant

The word “elegant” means tastefully fine or luxurious, of a high grade or quality. Therefore, elegant kitchen curtain ideas include high-end fabrics, finely detailed curtain rods, and dignified embellishments. Examples include cut crystal curtain rod finials or a gilded fringe at the bottom of linen roman shades.

Cozy kitchen with a wooden table, plaid runner, chairs, and sheer curtains, sunlight streams in through the window — Source: @eleni.christidi via Instagram

Solid dark color fabrics work well if you have elegant kitchen window curtains in mind. Plain grey or black linen panels convey a simple elegance. A jewel-toned velvet valance may be the perfect touch in a traditional kitchen design.

4. Floral

Floral print fabrics are a classic material used in making kitchen curtains. From abstract, tropical floral prints to tiny, Victorian roses, there’s a floral print that will work with most kitchen styles.

Cozy kitchen with wooden cabinets, plants, a floral curtain, pink lamp, and a coffee maker on a white countertop by a window — Source: @karuilu_home via Instagram

Cozy kitchen with floral curtains, a window view, potted plants, and a sink with a colorful towel hanging — Source: @twocardinals via Instagram

Floral valance with various potted plant designs hanging above a window with blinds partially open — Source: @margareta_gson via Instagram

Cozy vintage kitchen with yellow cabinets, floral curtains, and hanging mugs; laundry machine, oven, and kitchenware are visible — Source: @mylittle_kitsch via Instagram

Kitchen window with a white lace curtain featuring red spots. Sunlight shines through, reflecting on the counter with various items — Source: @verityvintagestudio via Instagram

Floral patterned blind with tropical birds, covering a window above a sink with a calla lily in a vase on the sill — Source: @karuilu_home via Instagram

A minimalist kitchen with white cabinets, a wooden table, a floral blind, vases, and a pendant light where light streams in through a window — Source: @karuilu_home via Instagram

Cozy room with a desk, plant, and chair; window features a colorful blind; blanket draped over chair; pillows on sofa — Source: @karuilu_home via Instagram

Mixing floral curtains with striped or checked trim makes a charming kitchen window treatment for country or shabby chic decor. Faint leafy or floral prints on sheer curtain panels are a gorgeous second layer beneath solid color kitchen curtains.

5. Half Curtain

Half curtains are thought to date back to the 19th century, when they first appeared in cafes and coffee shops in Vienna, Austria. These unique window treatments offered such a pleasing combination of natural light and privacy that they soon became popular in home kitchens and bathrooms.

Kitchen window with embroidered curtains, spider decorations, plants, and a lit "BEWARE" sign above, overlooking a green yard — Source: @catstudiodesigns via Instagram

A cozy kitchen with white cabinets, a wooden countertop, black fixtures, and checkered decor featuring an oven and sink beneath a curtained window — Source: @jenandrewsathome via Instagram

Even though kitchen window covering styles have changed through the years, the half curtain or café curtain remains popular. They convey a comfortable, informal vibe, especially when they’re a bright color accent in an otherwise neutral modern kitchen.

6. Long Curtains

As kitchens have become larger, their window sizes have grown, too. It’s not uncommon to have one or more kitchen windows that need full length curtain panels. Long window treatments also work well in kitchens with patio doors.

Cozy kitchen with a pink cabinet, floral curtain, colorful art, and a black stove. A vase of yellow tulips sits on the counter — Source: @lucyedwardscurtains via Instagram

If you have an open floor plan, it’s helpful to have your home decor coordinate in these connected living areas. Try to match your long window curtain style with the drapes in your dining room or living room. Hang roman shades on shorter kitchen windows, or buy a coordinating café curtain design.

7. Macrame

Macrame is enjoying a resurgence of popularity not seen since the 1970s. This ancient Arabic art of knot-tying makes fantastic window treatments for bohemian or eclectic style kitchens. Textile advancements have resulted in softer, easier-to-work-with cotton blend cords, making it easier than ever to find gorgeously crafted macrame kitchen curtains.

Kitchen with a white countertop, fruit bowl, and intricate macrame curtains on a large window overlooking a garden — Source: @macrame_miracles via Instagram

Cozy kitchen with wooden countertops, lace curtains, a white farmhouse sink, hanging lights, and various kitchen items on display — Source: @my_shabbyhome via Instagram

While macrame is a uniquely beautiful kitchen curtain idea, it won’t provide much privacy. If you need more window coverage, layer the macrame kitchen curtain panel over roman shades, bamboo shades, or solid curtain panels.

8. Mini Blinds

Mini blinds are one of the more affordable kitchen window treatments. Chances are, if you live in an apartment or rental home, all of your windows are outfitted with mini blinds.

White kitchen sink with a silver faucet and draining board in front of a window with closed horizontal blinds — Source: @ouryewdalehome_tw via Instagram

Kitchen window with green patterned shade and plants outside, a humorous sign above and kitchen rules sign to the left, white sink below — Source: @queenbee_curtains_and_blinds via Instagram

Although they’re great for controlling the amount of light and privacy in your kitchen space, they can look quite boring. Valance curtains can help soften the appearance of plain miniblinds, or you can hang tier curtains on each side of the window frame to add color and texture to your kitchen decor.

9. Roller Blinds

Roller blinds made from open-weave or translucent fabric do a great job of blocking outside views—without darkening the kitchen. If you need more privacy at night, choose a roller shade made from heavier or lined fabric.

Modern kitchen with a round wall clock, a window with a pulled-down blind, and a sink below; there’s a cutting board on the counter — Source: @bp.blinds via Instagram

Modern kitchen with beige cabinets, built-in oven, and flowers by the window; sunlit with wooden flooring and sleek countertops — Source: @designbyadele via Instagram

Matchstick roller blinds allow light to filter in even when they’re pulled all the way down. Their relaxed texture and natural finish look equally nice in a traditional or modern kitchen.

10. Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are an excellent option in a streamlined, modern kitchen. These basic kitchen curtain alternatives consist of a fabric panel that can be raised or lowered by a cord and curtain ring system sewn onto the back.

Kitchen sink with a modern faucet in front of a window, complemented by a potted plant on the windowsill, light streams in softly — Source: @alittleyorkshirerenovation via Instagram

Modern kitchen with gray cabinets, white countertops, and a sink; window with gray blinds and potted plants adds a touch of greenery — Source: @home4usall via Instagram

Kitchen sink with patterned blinds featuring large flowers, white countertops, and subway tile backsplash—bright and tidy space — Source: @littleboxesofstuffilove via Instagram

Kitchen window with polka dot valance, overlooking greenery; double sink, faucet, soap bottles, and plants on marble countertop — Source: @salpoole via Instagram

While a roller shade lies flat at any height, a roman shade stacks evenly in horizontal folds when it’s raised. A roman shade is an energy efficient window treatment option, especially when it’s made from the material used for blackout curtains or thermal curtains.

11. Shabby Chic

A shabby chic kitchen needs kitchen curtains to complete the look. Shabby chic interior design includes furniture, wall decor, and fabrics that have a comfortably worn, vintage vibe. Anything faded or distressed is at home in this decorating style.

Colorful curtains with blue checkered and red sections featuring village patterns, adorned with large red bows, hang over a window — Source: @lady_eva_at_rose_cottage via Instagram

Cozy dining nook with a round table, wicker chairs, floral pillows, and bay window. Set for two with plates, flowers, and a tray — Source: @lissies_minis via Instagram

Because shabby chic has a strong feminine aesthetic, sheer fabric is great for kitchen curtains. Lace and eyelet sheer curtains are beautiful in this style of kitchen, either alone or layered with a vintage floral or stripe patterned curtain.

12. Sink Curtain Ideas

The most common place for a kitchen window is over the sink. That’s why your kitchen curtain choice is so important: you’ll spend a lot of time looking at them while you’re washing dishes, cooking, and cleaning.

Modern kitchen with wooden blinds, a sink, white pitchers, and a fruit basket with oranges, lemons, and grapes on the countertop

Cozy kitchen corner with wood island, black pot, plant vase, and patterned floors. Bench seating to the left. Natural light from windows — Source: @bronwynpoole via Instagram

Kitchen corner with wood cabinets and a green skirt under the sink, tile floor, and an oven with a red and white checkered towel — Source: @housebesidethebigoak via Instagram

Charming kitchen sink with brass faucet, checkered skirt below, surrounded by decorative items and pumpkins on the counter — Source: @lemon_tree_home_by_julie via Instagram

White kitchen with wood countertops, farmhouse sink with curtain, flowers, and vintage decor under a window with blinds — Source: @mancinivintageinteriors via Instagram

Rustic kitchen with a farmhouse sink, wooden countertop, floral backsplash, and a gray curtain hiding storage underneath — Source: @the_spinney_renovation via Instagram

Because of the risk of splashes and stains, it’s best to use a durable kitchen curtain fabric over the sink. A paper folding blind won’t hold up to repeated water splashes, and white kitchen curtains will turn dingy much faster than a colorful print.

13. Tie Up Curtains

A tie up kitchen curtain is similar to a roman shade, but instead of a sewn-on ring system, there are long ribbons or fabric strips to adjust the curtain’s height. You can either roll up the excess fabric or neatly fold it accordion-style before tying it off.

Kitchen with a wood countertop, big window with tied up curtain black and white checkered curtains, and a small island with kitchen supplies and a knife set — Source: @izmonay via Instagram

Floral-patterned curtain with ties pulled up, covering a window, brightening the room with vibrant red, pink, and orange flowers — Source: @swolfert89 via Instagram

Tie up kitchen curtain styles look particularly nice when each side is a different coordinating fabric. Perhaps have a printed fabric on one side and a solid color on the other.

12 Kitchen Curtain Ideas