The choice of curtains in general, and for the kitchen in particular, means completing the design of the apartment. Whether you are finishing a renovation or just decided to update your boring interior, curtains will be the finishing touch to this difficult task. The original design of the kitchen window will not only add coziness and comfort to the room, but will also allow you to show taste and style. Properly selected curtains help adjust the space in the right direction and play with color. Curtains can be the main accent in the kitchen interior.
Tips for choosing
When purchasing, it is recommended to take into account the size of the room, its lighting, as well as the interior style:
- In a small kitchen, laconic curtains without multi-layered draperies and decorations are most appropriate.
- In typical apartments, the kitchen has only one window, so you should not choose curtains that are too thick to interfere with natural light.
- What looks good in the store does not always suit the kitchen environment. You should select curtains taking into account the style and color scheme of the interior.
- If there is a dining group near the window, long curtains will get in the way and quickly get dirty.
- The kitchen is subject to frequent contamination, and is also a source of odors and high humidity, so the functionality of curtains in such a room becomes a priority.
Curtains for the kitchen in a modern style: photos of the best design solutions
After general discussions about fashionable curtains for the kitchen, you can move on to specific examples of curtains of different styles and designs. As they say, it is better to see it once than to read about it ten times.
Which material is better to choose?
Due to the purpose of the kitchen, especially if there is a lot of cooking in it, the furniture and decoration should be practical, easy to clean and not absorb odors. The same applies to textiles: if they are curtains made of fabric, you should choose a material that is easy to wash and resistant to stains.
Natural fabrics are more environmentally friendly than synthetic ones, but they have their drawbacks.
- Cotton holds its shape well and retains color after washing, but quickly fades in the sun and offers almost no protection from light.
- Linen is durable and noble, but has a high cost, fades in sunlight and wrinkles easily.
- Products made of silk and wool are contraindicated in the kitchen, as they quickly absorb dirt and grease, and they must be washed with extreme care.
The photo shows the kitchen and dining room, the windows of which are decorated with blue cotton curtains.
The most practical are mixed types of fabrics, when natural fibers are added to synthetics.
- Satin, jacquard and velvet are more suitable for bedrooms and living rooms, as they have a high density and are used for multi-level drapery. Light translucent fabrics are appropriate in the kitchen.
- Thin chiffon is ideal for French and Austrian curtains, organza is more versatile and transmits light well, and mesh or patterned tulle looks great in a duet with thick curtains.
Choice of color and print
The shade of the window decoration in the kitchen area should be combined with the overall palette of the room. With the furniture already arranged, they focus on the color of the facade to choose the appropriate fabric option. The color of the curtains and the pattern applied to them play a big role in the overall perception of the entire room.
Some options ideal for the dining area of an apartment or house:
- Green or light green color. The intensity of the shades is selected based on harmony with the wallpaper and furniture. You can add a malachite, emerald, herbal, lime or olive tint.
- Yellow. Ideal for small spaces with limited lighting. Such curtains are in perfect harmony with any interior design. Looks especially colorful against a background of pink, purple and orange flowers.
- Red. Looks catchy and stylish in larger rooms. This is the most saturated shade, so its choice must be approached delicately.
- Brown. Neutral and soothing color perfectly refracts the bright rays of the sun. It goes well with bright colors and complements them perfectly.
- Blue. It is used not only in the classic style, although it suits it perfectly. With skillful placement of accents, you can create an unforgettable explosion of colors that will not tire your eyes.
Curtain prints must be applied carefully. The main thing is not to overdo it and not to make unnecessary touches. As a rule, prints highlight a specific detail in the room and match its design. This can be an addition to the front of a cabinet or kitchen furniture. This design looks bad when combined with wallpaper. It is better to use small-sized interiors.
How to choose a mount?
The type of fastening depends on how often the curtains are opened and closed, as well as the style of the kitchen. The most practical option for the kitchen is curtains with eyelets (rings sewn into the fabric). They fit perfectly into both modern and classic styles, creating smooth waves.
The most popular solution in most apartments is curtains on rings that are attached to a round cornice. They are durable, easily assembled into picturesque folds and do not require dismantling the entire structure when washing.
For kitchen curtains, the most functional method of fastening is loops or hidden tape. With this fastening, curtains can be removed without difficulty. Fasteners in the form of a rope or bows look good in a marine style, as well as Provence and country.
If the curtains often remain motionless, then fastenings that do not require a cornice are suitable. Installation is carried out to the ceiling or wall using brackets or special Velcro. Some types of blinds are attached directly to the frame.
Kisey for the kitchen
For a small window in a small room, muslin is perfect - special curtains made in the form of thin long threads. Such stripes look very attractive and elegant, besides, they visually make the kitchen more spacious, “raise” the ceiling in it, create a feeling of comfort and coziness, and allow sunlight to pass through well. They are also very easy to care for.
Kisey can be decorated in different ways. It can be simply fixed on one side of the window using a decorative clamp, or divided into two parts and secured on both sides of the window opening. You can also simply unravel the muslin so that it covers the entire window.
The huge range of colors of such curtains provides additional opportunities for decorating the kitchen. If desired, you can choose a simple white or bright version of muslin, as well as muslin with a soft gradient.
Which length will be more convenient for the kitchen?
Long curtains look great in spacious kitchens with large window openings. In luxurious classic interiors, floor-length curtains are used, which lie on it in beautiful folds. But in most houses, long curtains are appropriate only when they do not touch the kitchen set, dining furniture and are far from the gas stove.
The photo shows a design technique in which the slanting corners of the kitchen are visually softened by long curtains.
Short curtains are the best option for small spaces: they save space and add coziness to the dining area. They look good in rustic styles, such as country and Provence.
The photo shows a kitchen with short curtains, the color of which echoes the red elements of the furniture.
Curtains with lambrequin for the kitchen
Exquisite lambrequins can transform any, even the most modest, kitchen. They harmonize perfectly with long curtains and heavy drapes; lush folds that fall in soft waves make them especially luxurious.
However, if the kitchen is small, it is recommended to use lambrequins of simpler and more concise shapes. They should not be too lush and voluminous - it is better to give preference to a rigid, monochromatic design that is in harmony with the color of the furniture and curtains. Lambrequins are absolutely not suitable for installation in a kitchen designed in a minimalist or high-tech style. But they will look great in a classic interior.
What type of curtains should I choose?
The more styles there are on the market, the more difficult it can be to choose the right model. Let's try to figure out which types of curtains are best suited for the kitchen, and which products are more prudent to leave for living rooms.
Curtains
A heavy, luxurious canvas made of dense material is not the most practical choice for a room where food is prepared and eaten. If the entire apartment is designed in baroque, art deco or classic style, it is more appropriate to use French curtains rather than massive canvases. Curtains are difficult to care for, and fabric folds actively collect dust.
Tulle or curtains
The most common solution to make the dining area feel cozy and lived-in. Tulle perfectly hides the kitchen from prying eyes and does not interfere with the penetration of natural light, and well-chosen curtains favorably emphasize the interior design.
Roman curtains
Picturesque products suitable for both laconic and sophisticated settings. They have uniform folds and are attached to the window opening, covering its upper part and leaving the window sill free. To wash the fabric, you need to remove it from the lifting mechanism.
Look at examples of kitchen window design.
Blinds
They consist of many narrow or several wide lamellas that change their position with one turn. When closed, they provide good protection from the sun. Made from plastic or fabric that does not absorb dirt, so they are easy to clean.
We wrote in a separate article how best to decorate a window using blinds.
The photo shows practical horizontal blinds that fit perfectly into modern style.
Roller blinds
Mobile, functional curtains for the kitchen that fit perfectly into a minimalist style and can be easily adjusted. When twisted, they form a roll of fabric that does not take up much space. They can be mounted above the window opening or on the sash.
See more information about rolls here.
Filament curtains
They perform a decorative function, as they do not protect from the sun. Airy thread curtains look exclusive, decorate the kitchen and give room for imagination, but some models can visually overload the room. The undoubted advantage of such unusual products is that the threads optically lengthen the room, as if lifting the ceiling.
Two-color curtains for the kitchen in a modern style - what are their advantages?
Two-color curtains were popular last season, and interest in them is not decreasing this season either.
The advantage of two-color curtains is that they make it possible to enliven the kitchen interior and make it more original.
In addition, the presence of two colors makes it easier to harmoniously combine curtains with other elements of the kitchen interior.
In this case, of course, you need to pay attention to how well the colors in the combined curtains combine. After all, there are colors that don’t go well with each other.
You can add variety to two-color curtains by using materials of different textures and densities.
It should be noted that in combined curtains different colors can be combined both horizontally and vertically.
How to choose curtains by color?
One of the main rules for creating a stylish interior is a harmonious combination of shades in relation to each other. Designers recommend using ready-made diagrams to simplify your task and understand the principles of choosing curtain colors.
In a monochromatic combination, shades of the same color are used, but of different saturation. Pastel colors can serve as a backdrop for the kitchen, while curtains with brighter colors can become an accent.
With a complementary approach, opposite colors are combined to create a contrasting duet.
In a similar combination, shades located adjacent to each other on the color wheel are used. A multi-colored interior looks advantageous, since the tones smoothly transition from one to another.
Let's look at the most popular color selections of curtains for kitchen interiors.
Today, the most popular color for modern kitchens is white, as it is a universal background for any color accents. For a white kitchen, both warm and cold tones are appropriate - the main thing is that the color of the curtains echoes other elements of the decor. Colored curtains are especially relevant in a room located on the north, shady side.
The photo shows transparent tulle, making the bright kitchen with panoramic windows more comfortable.
A dark interior does not provide many options for decor. When decorating a window in a brown kitchen, the main goal is to lighten the impression of a dark set. We recommend hanging light translucent fabrics in beige, white and blue tones.
The photo shows a kitchen with curtains decorated with lace, in a country style.
When decorating a window opening in an elegant and discreet beige interior, you need to decide whether we are creating a gentle, enveloping environment or want to enliven the kitchen with curtains in bright colors. In the first case, cream, milk and coffee tones are suitable, and in the second - blue, orange and yellow.
When selecting textiles for a kitchen with an abundance of wood textures, it is recommended to use plain curtains without patterns. Wooden furniture attracts the eye, so curtains should set it off or highlight the natural texture with color. Green textiles will support the theme of nature, beige and white will soften the influence of dark shades.
Gray is another universal color that goes well with most shades. But the darker the walls, the lighter the textiles should be, and vice versa. To create a calm environment, white and sand tones are ideal, and for a more saturated interior – red, yellow and blue.
In the photo, the panoramic kitchen windows are decorated with white thick curtains with large ornaments.
The orange color is a decoration in itself, attracting attention and adding color to the room. If part of the kitchen set is made in orange tones, it is logical to additionally support this color with textiles in brown, cream and white tones.
Decorating a kitchen window with cafe curtains
Cafe curtains are most often used to decorate windows in small spaces, so they are ideal for a compact kitchen. Such curtains are attached to a thin strip, which can be placed in any part of the window opening - for example, in the middle, or higher. After installation, the upper part of the window remains open, but if desired, you can install a lambrequin made of the same fabric as the curtains.
The curtain itself is attached to the curtain rod in different ways: on hinges, on a drawstring, on hooks and braid, on ties, on eyelets and on rings. The lower part of the curtains can be decorated with scallops, tassels or decorative tiebacks. Cafe curtains look very cute and are perfect for installation in a kitchen, the interior of which is made in Provence, shabby chic, or retro styles.
Features for various kitchen windows
It is recommended to make curtains for a kitchen with a balcony door in two parts to provide easy access to the balcony. This can be tulle, inter-frame blinds or Roman blinds. If home owners prefer a more traditional option with curtains, then it is recommended to choose models with durable eyelets that will not be affected by frequent opening and closing of the shutters.
To design a wide window in the kitchen, it is better to choose curtains with tiebacks or combined models made of tulle or roller blinds. If the window is narrow, then for visual expansion it is better to choose curtains with vertical patterns and laconic styles, for example, Roman, roller and French blinds will be the ideal solution.
Roman or roller blinds for the kitchen
Roman, or roller blinds, have a lot of advantages. They combine the beauty of curtains and the convenience of blinds, and are perfect for installation on a kitchen window. Roman blinds are attached at the top to the cornice and are a dense strip of fabric that gathers in folds when lifted.
They rise with the help of slats and an adjusting cord attached on the reverse side. At the very bottom there is a special weighting plate, thanks to which the curtains always maintain a perfectly even shape.
Roller blinds come in two types:
Classic Roman blinds - this model is a smooth and even fabric that forms overlapping horizontal folds when lifted. These curtains look very simple and elegant; they easily fit into any kitchen interior.
Roman blinds are cascading - even when fully opened, this model has folds that go down in the form of a cascade, forming a beautiful drapery. Most often, such curtains are installed in rooms whose interior is made in country, art deco, and also some traditional styles.
How do they look in different interior styles?
The design of curtains for the kitchen depends on the chosen style. In a classic kitchen, open windows without decoration are inappropriate, but Roman blinds with small folds covering half the window are suitable. In a spacious kitchen you can use curtains with tiebacks and French curtains reminiscent of theater backstage.
It is important that the fabric looks expensive, since complex compositions made of transparent organza with lambrequins, multi-layered folds and additional details look cheap and do not create the impression of luxury.
Modern style is not so demanding on the types of curtains for the kitchen: the main thing is that the curtains are functional and do not stand out from the overall color scheme. If there is enough space, you can hang curtains made of thick fabric: this is especially true if the kitchen is combined with the living room or is used as an office. Opaque fabric will create additional comfort and protect you from prying glances from the street.
In a small kitchen, the window should be decorated with laconic curtains: for a monochrome Scandinavian style, roller products and long Japanese curtains are ideal. In a brutal kitchen designed in the loft style, both thick curtains and thin flowing fabrics are appropriate, which add airiness and light to the rough atmosphere.
For lovers of rustic styles, canvases with small floral patterns, as well as cropped curtains made of cotton or linen, are perfect. In country and Provence, checkered or striped patterns are especially valued. And for a shabby chic interior, the best solution would be lace curtains to match the tablecloth.
Eco-style is characterized by the use of natural motifs, which means textiles should consist of natural materials. Curtains in green, yellow or beige tones, as well as bamboo blinds, will look great in the kitchen.
The photo shows a window opening, the design of which successfully combines three types of products.
What curtains to hang in the kitchen and what to consider when choosing
Curtains for the kitchen should not only be fashionable. There are at least five more criteria that should be taken into account when choosing curtains for the kitchen.
Firstly, curtains must be practical. This means that natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk will not be the best option, as they get dirty quickly. Which is quite possible given the kitchen conditions.
Yes, curtains made from these fabrics look very good and create a cozy atmosphere.
But you can replace them with synthetic or semi-synthetic fabrics. Now there is a choice of fabrics for curtains that look absolutely natural, but at the same time are more practical to use.
Secondly, the curtains must match or at least not contradict the design style of your kitchen.
Well, for example, it would not be appropriate to hang cozy curtains in the Provence style in a high-tech kitchen. You need to try to stick to one style in interior design.
In addition, you need to consider which side of the world your kitchen window faces. If it is south facing, then the curtains should provide shelter from bright sunlight. This must be taken into account when choosing fabric for curtains.
If your kitchen is of modest size, then you may decide to use the window sill as an additional work surface. And then this decision will determine the model of curtains used.
Another quality that needs to be taken into account when choosing a model of curtains for the kitchen is their functionality. If your kitchen has a balcony or you often open a window for ventilation, then the design of the curtains should allow this to be done without hindrance.
So far we have not considered specific models of curtains, but have only decided on what should be used as a guide when choosing curtains for the kitchen.
Choosing curtain fastenings
Depending on different characteristics, you can choose the following types of curtain fastenings:
Hooks. The most economical option, which is completed quickly and effortlessly. Withstands any type of canvas and fits into any design.
Curtain tape. A simple and original way of fastening. Any strong tape will do. It is pulled through the holes of the fabric and drapery is formed.
Rings. Ideal for use with hooks and ribbons. Suitable for rounded partiers and suitable for any type of installation. But it should be taken into account that such structures are difficult to disassemble, since they are difficult to reassemble.
Eyelets. Fastenings are made through holes in the canvas. A very stylish and extravagant option. Rings are made of plastic or metal and are embedded directly into the fabric.
