The Best Kitchen Window Treatments To Update Your Home

Sometimes a small change is all you need to freshen up your home and bring back that exciting feeling of novelty. This can be challenging in a kitchen, however, where most elements, like cabinets, countertops, and large appliances, aren't exactly easy to switch up overnight. For a makeover that doesn't require a large investment of either time or money, consider giving your windows a new look.

A new window treatment is one of the most budget-friendly kitchen upgrades that don't involve remodeling, allowing you to subtly zhuzh up the space without too much hassle. From the most simple to the most elaborate, there are so many styles, materials, and functionalities to choose from. 

Still, in such a high-traffic space, it's crucial that whatever solution you settle on not only looks great but works great too, so be sure to consider both aesthetics and practicality. Pick fabrics that are hard-wearing and easy to wash, like synthetic fibers or cotton, for areas where there'll be a lot of cooking activity, preserve natural light as much as possible, and opt for setups that don't get in the way of proper ventilation.

Kitchens are arguably the best part of the famous Nancy Meyers aesthetic. Interiors inspired by the director's dreamy movie homes continue to trend more than a decade after the release of her last feature film, and that's because their chic "coastal grandma" style is simply timeless. Elegant, striped Roman shades in soft, natural materials, like linen and cotton, are perfect for channeling the impossibly cozy feel of films like "Something's Gotta Give" and "It's Complicated" in your kitchen. They look especially at home next to classic shaker-style cabinets in neutral colors.

There is something so special and nostalgic about modern rustic kitchens. Their charming details and scruffy materials provide the ideal backdrop for a full day of cooking your favorite foods. To give your kitchen windows a touch of this magic, consider framing them at the top with a dainty valance or sturdy cornice, in prints with classic motifs or properly traditional patterns, such as chintz and plaid. Typically used to hide the unsightly hardware of curtains and other window treatments, these decorative structures look just as stylish on their own.

If ruffled valances are not your thing but you still love the idea of accentuating your kitchen windows with a distinct feature, then opting for exposed brick or reclaimed wood for the window header might be the answer. These details bring incredible architectural interest to the window, working especially well in Mediterranean or industrial-style kitchens. For the former, pair the characterful header with a Spanish tile backsplash and warm terracotta flooring. For the latter, consider stainless steel cabinets and a black and white color palette.

Bamboo, matchstick, and woven wood blinds may be slightly different things, but they all offer essentially the same qualities: a lightweight, laid-back, and textured option reminiscent of tropical countries and balmy, emerald-sea beaches. This window treatment is as aspirational as it is warm and unpretentious. It fits a number of different styles but matches best with other trendy natural materials, like stone countertops and wood cabinets. Use it solo for an informal atmosphere, or layer it with curtains for a more elegant touch.

When making design choices for the kitchen, you may end up impacting other areas of the home. Open floor plans have become ubiquitous in modern interiors, blurring the lines between the cooking, eating, and lounging areas. For spaces where the kitchen window is also the dining room and living room window, efficient light-blocking solutions like blackout roller blinds may be the most suitable. These window covers are designed to shut off outside light almost completely, which is essential if you want to watch a film or rest next to the kitchen.

Giving your kitchen windows an update doesn't necessarily have to mean a showy, head-turning display. Some spaces call for a more subtle approach that blends with their surroundings. Semi-sheer white shades in soft fabrics, like linen and cotton, make the room feel brighter and airier while allowing other design elements to pop. If you have a gorgeous countertop you want to highlight or an impressive dining table you want to show off, or you simply prefer a minimal color scheme, opt for understated window treatments that match your walls and cabinets.

Natural light is an advantage in any room, but it's arguably especially important in the kitchen. Every avid chef knows that if you're lucky enough to have a sunbathed cooking station, where every detail of an ingredient is perfectly illuminated, you won't want any window treatment to jeopardize it. Venetian blinds, though frequently shunned for their dust magnet reputation, actually offer exceptional light control. By adjusting the slat angle, you can dictate how much light gets in and where that light is pointing, all while maintaining a reasonable level of privacy.

Kitchens can be all hard edges and cold tiles and stones. Floor-kissing curtains, albeit not very practical in splatter and spill-prone areas, are a very efficient way to bring some warmth into the room. If you have windows away from cooking areas that need dressing up, this can be a fantastic option to make the kitchen feel less utilitarian and more comfortable. Cotton and linen are popular choices for a laid-back yet elegant atmosphere, but polyester might be the best type of fabric for kitchen curtains if you value ease of maintenance.

As mentioned, it's not exactly easy to redecorate a kitchen, but if you're feeling a little bored by your all-white cabinets and minimal countertop and backsplash finishes, the window could be the solution. There are so many window treatment options on the market that will allow you to introduce an element of color or pattern to an otherwise neutral room. To bring it all together, reference the color of your new curtains or shades in vases, chair cushions, tablecloths, or place mats.

Café curtains are especially beloved window treatments for kitchens for the way they channel the character of a picturesque European bistro from centuries past, perfect for having your morning coffee with a really good book on hand. Much like their original purpose, these bottom-half window coverings shield you from onlookers without blocking the view or the natural light. Make sure to pick curtains with enough fabric to create that gentle ruffle that is so typical of café curtains. Similarly, avoid heavy fabrics, like velvet and brocade, which won't sit as smoothly.

If you can't choose between two different window treatments, you'll be glad to know that layering multiple curtains, or even curtains with shades and blinds, isn't just allowed, it's encouraged. Interior designers love this option for its potential to maximize flexibility, movement, and texture. The typical pairing consists of a functional and sheer or semi-sheer inner curtain or shade that provides privacy without excessively blocking the light, and a more opaque and decorative outer curtain. The latter not only offers precise light control but also presents a brilliant opportunity to play around with color and pattern.