From dramatic full-length curtains to frilly sink skirts
Curtains have long had a bit of an underserved reputation for being old fashioned, overpriced and overly fussy, disappearing from the modern home in favour of simple blinds and handsome shutters. But the revival of retro design details such as checkerboard floors, chintzy upholstery and bobbin detailing has stirred up a latent enthusiasm for curtains – especially in our kitchens, and not exclusively on our windows.
The return of the sink skirt was met with absolute enthusiasm, becoming one of 2025’s biggest interior trends. These frothy little curtains are undeniably charming, and provide an opportunity to experiment with wild patterns and colours in a small and self-contained manner. They have, in a way, helped us embrace curtains elsewhere in the kitchen, from the characterful cafe curtains in pretty white lace to the full-length, full-fat curtains draped around French doors.
When choosing the best curtains for your kitchen windows, you need to consider light filtration, fabric, pleating style, pattern and privacy. And whilst made-to-measure curtains can be costly, you can also go totally DIY and create your own from vintage fabric – have a look at Pearl Lowe's lace curtains below for inspiration.
There are a few practical takeaways in this fabulous kitchen designed by Laura Stephens, the most important of which is that there should always be a healthy gap between your window and curtain pole – it creates a nice frame and the illusion of a taller window. It is also ample proof that a curtain won’t look out of sorts tucked into the narrowest of gaps, and that plain curtains can be totally transformed with a simple trim.
As kitchens rarely need the privacy that bedrooms or bathrooms do, simple sheers are an appropriate choice. They allow natural light to stream in and tuck away neatly without the heft of lined curtains.
Pictured: Marlborough Terracotta Tile at Ca'Pietra
In this very striking kitchen belonging to interior designer Jodie Hazlewood, striped curtains have replaced the door panels on her pantry unit. It’s a bit of a thrifty upcycling hack if you have a cupboard that’s past its best, but want to avoid the cost of replacing it.
Curtains have something of a reputation for costing an arm and a leg – it certainly can be the case for made-to-measure curtains – but there are plenty of more affordable options. A vintage lace strung up without a pole as Pearl Lowe has done in her beach house, feels bohemian and unfussy and lets in ample natural light.
It is common to choose curtains that contrast with the colour of your walls in order to draw attention to windows and the view beyond. But the popularity of colour drenching has turned this decorating paradigm on its head. In this farmhouse kitchen, the curtains contribute to the buttery yellow colour palette which creates the impression of perpetual early morning sunlight.
Pictured: Marlborough Terracotta Tile at Ca'Pietra
The revival of the sink skirt is one of 2025’s biggest interior trends and long may it last. These little curtains offer such a creative opportunity – you can choose a real wishlist fabric because you won’t need metres and metres, and they’re an affordable way of replacing worn-out cupboard doors.
Cafe curtains typically cover the lower half of a window, allowing natural light to flood in while still providing a level of privacy. They are a really charming addition to glass panelled kitchen doors that give onto a pantry or utility room, hiding some of the inevitable clutter.
Pictured: Curtain Lace at Tori Murphy
In true maximalist style, interior designer Sophie Robinson has used candy cane striped curtains in her open-plan kitchen and dining room. She has implemented one of her own pattern mixing rules, which is to use large scale print – the stripes – against a smaller scale print – the floral wallpaper. Patterns of similar scale tend to fight for attention, which can feel jarring or distracting.
Pictured: Curtains in Paper Straw fabric and Woodland Floral Wallpaper, both at Harlequin
It is typical to have a kitchen window above a sink, and they are often dressed with blinds that sit up and away from the threat of splashes. A deep Belfast sink and robust splashback similar to this vintage-style kitchen offer ample protection, so you can hang short curtains.
A brilliant decorating trick in the home of designer Anna Hope, who has used a matching wallpaper and curtain fabric to create a pattern drenching effect. This is most effective in small kitchens or adjacent spaces such as utility rooms or pantries.
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