Kitchen Curtains Are Back and Better Than Ever—Should You Give Them a Go? (2024)

Kitchen curtains are back in style, and for good reason. They’re a charming touch for just about any kitchen, adding a sense of privacy and a pop of color to an otherwise practical room. Plus, they keep glaring sunlight out, and keep your kitchen looking bright and lively.

But they also have their quirks: Maintaining curtains of any kind is an added chore, and the kitchen comes with all kinds of smells, spills, and flurries of cooking activity. Small children or pets can complicate the matter even further—you don’t want brand-new curtains to get tugged, scratched, or damaged, after all.

If you’ve been weighing the pros and cons of this kitchen-centric trend but still aren’t sure whether they’re the right fit for your home, here’s everything you need to know about cafe curtains. Plus, an expert shares how you can make the trend work in your kitchen.

Why Kitchen Curtains Are Trending Now

Cafe curtains are truly taking off, with designers and homeowners alike decking out their kitchens with curtains of all colors and fabrics. On TikTok, the term “kitchen curtains ideas” has received over 100 million views, while “kitchen curtains” has racked up nearly 640 million. Users on the platform are sharing their curtain installation processes, plus showing off before and after transformations that are truly to die for. From designer shades to DIYs, there’s a curtain solution for every home.

According to Haley Weidenbaum, co-founder and CEO of window treatment brand Everhem, there are so many reasons kitchen curtains are falling back into favor—even beyond the aesthetic appeal. Blending practicality with pretty designs, the window treatments stand the test of time.

“The cottagecore trend is a big part of the resurgence of café curtains, but at the root of it, we have seen an emphasis on both design and function in the interior design industry over the last few years—cafe curtains hit these two elements precisely,” says Weidenbaum. “From a design point of view—it’s a nod to the past. A kitchen adorned with cafe curtains transports you to a simpler time that is cozy, pastoral, and romantic.”

This nostalgic and clever addition to the kitchen keeps an interior design style looking cohesive, and lets just the right amount of sunlight into the space. With options in all kinds of colors, styles, and designs, these curtains work best in open-concept or eat-in kitchens, where a bit of separation lets the space breath. Plus, classy kitchen curtains can be achieved on a low budget, not necessarily requiring professional installation (or an expertise in DIY).

How to Keep the Curtains Clean

Despite their obvious benefits, kitchen curtains can rack up quite a lot of stains (and dust) over time. That’s why, if you go for café curtains in your own home, it’s important to keep them clean and tidy. Weidenbaum suggests tending to the curtains on a daily basis—the same way you’d wash the dishes or care for finicky plants.

“Whenever you go to open or close the curtains, give them a little shake to knock off unwanted dust and debris along with fixing or folding any unruly pleats,” she says. “Lastly and most importantly always make sure hands are clean when opening and closing, especially clean from any food or oils.”

This special bit of attention will prevent stains from piling up in the first place, leaving a clean slate for future maintenance. If your curtains get especially wrinkled, taking them down and ironing them out every once in a while will keep them looking fresh. And taking a duster to them once a week, in addition to the daily bit of attention, will ensure that debris isn’t building up in the kitchen.

When it comes to washing the curtains, Everhem’s experts recommends getting them professionally washed, or sticking to spot cleaning, rather than throwing them in the washing machine. However, other manufacturers have more durable options that can be cleaned quite easily. Either way, removing the curtains to shake out dust regularly is best way to prevent buildup.

How to Keep Kitchen Curtains Odor-Free

One of the main concerns when it comes to kitchen curtains is keeping odors out of the fabric—cooking smells can linger, after all. And even if your cooking smells delightful, you won’t want to keep the scent around much longer than it takes to eat. Weidenbaum says that being intentional with how you’re cooking pungent foods can help prevent lasting smells.

“The best thing to do is to keep most greasy cooked foods away from curtains so that food splash does not get on the curtains and leave a stubborn stain or odor,” she says.

Just be sure to open the kitchen and doors when cooking scent-intense foods, and your kitchen curtains should be completely fine—this is one of the reasons why open-plan kitchens work best with the window treatment. If you do find that smells have stuck though, invest in some fabric freshener spray. A spray or two after an intensive night of cooking will do the trick in a pinch.

Are Cafe Curtains Right for You?

With just a bit of extra maintenance and care, kitchen curtains can really brighten up a space, adding an extra bit of flair. But before you make your final decision on whether cafe curtains are right for you, pay attention to the location of the window in question—kitchen curtains should never be placed above a stovetop. Even if your windows are above the stove, you won’t need to forgo window treatments altogether. Shutters are a wonderful alternative that’ll keep your kitchen safe and stylish.