5 steps to choosing curtains for the kitchen and 100 photo ideas

Kitchen curtains should be super-practical and beautiful at the same time. This article and a selection of 100 photos of interiors will help you choose the perfect style of curtains, plan their design, choose a fabric, decide on the size, and also choose a curtain rod.

Step 1. Choosing the type of curtains

There are several varieties of the most common types of curtains for the kitchen: Roman, Japanese, roller, cafe curtains, classic, cotton.

Roman curtains

Roman blinds are a canvas that, thanks to a lifting mechanism (similar to a blind system), can rise and fall, letting in light or shading the room. Rising, the Roman blind forms uniform folds and folds like an accordion (as a rule, only the lower half of the canvas is lifted, but you can find or sew a model that rises completely). A Roman blind either covers the entire window opening, or is attached to the window sash and leaves the window sill open. As a rule, wide windows are curtained not with one, but with several canvases..

Roman blinds look organic in both classic and modern interiors
Roman blinds look organic in both classic and modern interiors

Pros: easy to care for, beautiful, but at the same time laconic, and therefore suitable for a small kitchen. And they also go well with curtains and classic curtains, look good in both traditional and modern interiors..

Cons: This type of curtain has a lifting mechanism, which, like any mechanical structure, can wear out or break. Since Roman blinds are short and without lush drapery, it is quite easy to wash and remove them, however, the matter is complicated by the slats of the lifting system, which must be removed before washing. Another nuance – if the ceiling is too close to the upper edge of the window opening or the window does not transom (see photo below), and the window sill is narrow, then Roman blinds will not allow opening the windows for plowing (for this you will have to completely remove the curtains from the cornice).

Roman blinds in the decoration of a window with a transom

Advice:

Do-it-yourself roman blinds, following our master class;
Almost any fabric is suitable for manufacturing, except for crinkled and stretched;
Roman shades are more suitable for narrow windows than square ones..

See more material: Guide to choosing Roman blinds for a window in the kitchen.

Roller blinds

Roller blinds are a sheet of fabric that is rolled into a roll and unrolled into a smooth cloth adjacent to the window by attaching the bottom of the curtain to the guide line. In this case, the roll can be hidden in the box (cassette model) or remain visible (open model). They are mounted both on the wall above the window opening, and directly on the sash.

Open type roller blinds installed inside the window opening

Pros: thanks to the fixation of the canvas to the guide, the roller blinds do not sway in the wind and do not hang down when the window is tilted at an angle (or if the window is attic). Roller blinds block out light around the edges of the window, are easy to clean and are inexpensive. The design of such curtains is laconic, and therefore they fit perfectly into any interiors, especially modern ones. Since roller blinds do not hide the space, it is good to use them in small kitchens. Another bonus – ready-made roller blinds can be independently adjusted to a non-standard window size.

Cons: roller blinds attached to the sash do not allow opening the window wide open due to the fact that the roll itself rests against the slope of the window niche or against the wall. The second minus – as a rule, roller blinds can only be cleaned by hand, they cannot be washed in a washing machine. The third disadvantage is that most often roller blinds are made of artificial materials, sometimes they resemble a simple oilcloth. And in general, roller blinds are so minimalistic that they may seem “office”.

Advice:

When choosing roller blinds for the kitchen, make sure that they are impregnated with anti-static and dirt-repellent compounds..
Ready-made roller blinds can be independently adjusted to a non-standard window size. To do this, you only need to cut the canvas and cut off the excess shaft.
Using roller blinds solo is appropriate, perhaps, only in a modern kitchen, for example, in scandinavian style. In a traditional interior, they are best combined with tulle, curtains or curtains..
You can sew them yourself from fabric.
Dark-colored roller blinds are not a good idea, as dust and dirt will be very noticeable on them..

See more in the material: Roller blinds in the kitchen – everything you need to know before buying.

Cafe curtains

Cafe curtains are short curtains (not below the window sill), which are attached to a telescopic cornice on the sash in the middle of the window (less often at the top of the opening).

Pros: they look very cozy, due to their small size, they are easy to clean, do not hide the space.

Cons: not suitable for modern interiors, shade the space a little.

Advice:

Cafe curtains can be sewn by yourself using our step-by-step instructions (see link below).
Such curtains are especially great in combination. with lambrequin.

For more details, see the material: Cafe-style curtains for the kitchen – choose ready-made or sew yourself?.

Panel curtains (Japanese)

Japanese curtains for the kitchen are sliding fabric panels – they move along the guides like the doors of a wardrobe.

Pros: Japanese curtains work well for kitchens with balcony doors and / or large windows. They are easy to operate and can be controlled remotely (this is especially true for very tall windows). They are easy to care for thanks to the anti-static impregnation: all you have to do is wipe the canvas with a cloth from time to time. Due to their length to the floor, panel curtains visually raise the ceiling, and due to the absence of folds, they do not overload the interior, therefore, they are suitable for small kitchens.

Cons: panel curtains are good in a modern interior, but hardly in a classic one.

Advice:

Japanese curtains can be used as a screen if you need to divide the combined space into zones, for example, kitchen-living room or kitchen in studio apartment.

Thread curtains (muslin)

Kisei curtains are a curtain made of threads (fabric or beaded).

Pros: muslin looks unusual and light, suitable for ethnic interiors and art deco kitchens.

Cons: if you have pets or small children, then thread curtains will not work for you, as they tear easily enough, and the beads can be scattered and swallowed.

For more details, see the material: Curtains-threads in the kitchen – selection, care, DIY.

Blinds

Blinds consist of woven or non-woven (aluminum, bamboo, plastic or wood) lamellas, which, thanks to their mechanism, can not only assemble and open, but also rotate around their axis. Thus, they allow shading to be adjusted from strong to weak. Blinds are vertical and horizontal. Horizontal blinds are made of plastic, bamboo or wood (less commonly). Lamellas of vertical blinds, as a rule, are made of synthetic material and impregnated with dirt-repellent compounds.

Horizontal blinds made of bamboo in the interior of a modern kitchen
Horizontal blinds made of bamboo in the interior of a modern kitchen

Horizontal blinds on roof windows

Vertical blinds in the interior of the kitchen

Aluminum blinds

Pros: good shading and the possibility of its regulation, as well as ease of maintenance.

Cons: somewhat “office” look.

For more details, see the material: Blinds in the kitchen – a step-by-step guide to choose and 45 photos.

Classic curtains (curtains, tulle)

Classic curtains need no introduction, because this particular style is the most popular and familiar. The assembly of curtains is most often formed by a curtain tape (there are different types), and they are attached to the cornice on eyelets, loops, hooks or rings with “crocodiles”.

Curtains with eyelets

Pros: curtains of one or two canvases are versatile and suitable for both classic and modern kitchens. Unlike roller and panel curtains, as well as blinds, classic curtains have folds, so they are guaranteed to bring comfort to the interior. Due to the abundance of fabrics, curtain accessories, the ability to choose the length of the canvases and the density of the assembly, you can not only create a unique window design, but also correct some room imperfections. So, for example, with the help of long curtains, you can hide pipes, a balcony door or a radiator.

Cons: classic curtains are somewhat tedious to remove and hang, wash and iron. Since they are sewn from ordinary fabrics, they tend to get dirty quickly, soaked in grease and the smell of food. It is not always convenient to manage them – fasteners often slip poorly along the cornice.

Advice:

Classic curtains should not be hung close to the stove, because they can fly up to the fire from the wind and ignite. In addition, it is simply not practical – splashes of grease will grease the fabric..
For a small kitchen, choose short curtains with easy assembly. It is desirable that the fabric is soft, then the folds will turn out to be even and neat.
Floor length is recommended for large kitchens as well as kitchens with balcony doors.

See also: How to choose curtains for a kitchen with a balcony door – 4 solutions

Step 2. Choosing the color and pattern of the fabric

Here are some tips to help you choose the right color for your kitchen curtains:

Most often, curtains are selected to match the walls, to match the kitchen facades, apron, or to match the rest of the kitchen textiles, for example, under the upholstery of chairs, under pillows, napkins, etc..

Purple curtains are in harmony with kitchen accessories

Red curtains to match the kitchen apron

The most versatile curtain color is white (and its shades);
If there is not enough sunlight in the kitchen, choose curtains in a warm color, for example, cream or yellow, as in the photo below..

And here are some tips for choosing a fabric print:

The pattern on the curtain fabric can overlap with wallpaper, apron, flooring, carpet, wall decor and other textiles in the room..
Keep in mind that a large pattern visually reduces the space, so for small kitchens it is better to choose curtains with an unobtrusive and small pattern / patterns..

If the ceiling is low, choose vertical striped or diamond patterned curtains like in the photo below. Vertical blinds, panel curtains and classic floor-to-ceiling canvases, collected in even and clear folds, are also suitable..

Diamond curtains in the kitchen with a balcony door

If the kitchen is small and narrow, then visually expanding it will help Roman, roller and panel curtains in a horizontal strip (see photo below) or horizontal blinds.

For classic kitchens curtains with a traditional print, for example, in a cage, with floral, floral or heraldic designs / patterns.

Classic curtains

Windows of a modern kitchen can be decorated with curtains with any geometric or abstract pattern..

Curtains in the interior of a modern kitchen-living room

Step 3. Determine the size

As a rule, the cornice is installed at a distance of 20-25 cm from the upper edge of the window niche or on the ceiling. But the length of the kitchen curtains can be different:

Very short, when the canvas is about 1 cm short of the windowsill. This length is suitable if the window sill is used as a bar counter or a cutting table, as well as when attaching the curtain inside the window opening.

Short when the canvas hangs about 10 cm below the level of the windowsill. This length is suitable for small kitchens.

Long when the canvas is 1 cm short of the floor or touches it. Especially suitable for large kitchens and for the decoration of windows with a balcony door.

Very long when 5-10 cm of fabric is on the floor. Such curtains are more suitable for decorating windows of a classic interior. kitchen-dining room or kitchen-living room.

As for the choice of the width of the kitchen curtains, here the recommendation is the same – the canvas should go onto the walls by 20-26 cm on both sides of the opening.

Step 4. Choosing the material

Suitable for sewing kitchen curtains are cotton and linen fabrics, viscose and polyester fabrics, as well as mixed fabrics from natural and synthetic fibers. But it is better to refuse silk and wool – they are too capricious and are only suitable for decorating the windows of the dining room.

Linen is an excellent material for kitchen curtains, because it is durable, has a beautiful texture, tolerates frequent washings and is resistant to fading. However, it is expensive, wrinkles quickly and shrinks strongly after washing. When buying ready-made linen curtains or fabric for sewing, you need to take into account the length margin for shrinkage.

Cotton is beautiful, strong enough, but in its pure form it wrinkles, shrinks after washing and fades in the sun. Therefore, fabrics made of 100% cotton should prefer polycotton (fabric made of polyester and cotton) or complement cotton curtains with lining (made of the same cotton).
Viscose (modal, lyocell) is a budget and more practical alternative to silk, but it does not tolerate frequent washings, as it is afraid of water. Choosing curtains for the kitchen from this material, give preference to models with polyester in the composition and / or combine curtains with lining.
Polyester fabrics are inexpensive, won’t wrinkle, shrink or fade from UV rays. But they attract dust and are very inferior to natural materials in beauty.

Tip: It is good if the kitchen curtains have a lining that protects the main fabric from fading in the sun. In addition, the lining will allow you to hide the internal seams, will help to form voluminous folds, if the fabric is light, it will improve the thermal insulation and acoustics of the kitchen..

Step 5. We select the cornice

The cornice is as important as the curtains themselves, because the reliability of the entire structure and the beauty of the window design depend on them. Eaves can be ceiling and wall – in the form of tires with rails, a rod or a string system.

The standard length of the eaves should be 30% longer than the width of the window. But if you need to visually expand the window opening, then it is worth picking up the cornice even longer. Conversely, if the window is too wide, then the length of the eaves should be about the same as the width of the opening. If you plan to hang short curtains inside the window opening, then the length of the cornice should be 2-3 cm less.
In order for the cornice to hang securely and not bend under the weight of the curtains, it is necessary to correctly calculate the number of bracket-holders. The recommendations of the manufacturers attached to the curtain rods will help you with this..
The heavier the curtains, the more rigid the profile cornice and its runners should be. Either the diameter is wider when it comes to the rod. For a structure of medium weight, a rod with a diameter of 2 cm is suitable, for heavy curtains – a rod with a diameter of 2.8 cm.
The ceiling cornice is the most inconspicuous, and therefore versatile. In addition, thanks to its even load distribution, it is very reliable and suitable for heavy curtains. True, it can only be installed on a concrete base and is best from wall to wall (otherwise it must be hidden behind a decorative cornice).

Curtains hung on the ceiling cornice will visually raise the ceiling and increase the window opening
Curtains hung on the ceiling cornice will visually raise the ceiling and increase the window opening

Forged and wooden rods are good for rustic kitchens (eg, decorated in Provence style, country, shabby chic). Bronze and brass curtain rods with elegant tips – for the classic ones. For a kitchen decorated in a modern style, a rod is also suitable, especially in combination with curtains on the eyelets as in the interior in the next photo..

Curtains with eyelets in the interior of a modern kitchen
Curtains with eyelets in the interior of a modern kitchen

If the interior of the kitchen is decorated in a modern style, and the curtains are light and not long, a string cornice is well suited.
Cafe curtains are hung on special stained-glass curtain rods or mini-rods installed in a spacer in the window sashes.
For the design of non-standard windows (arched, corner and bay windows), you must choose special profile plastic or aluminum curtain rods.