How to dress a small kitchen window - 8 ways to create a bright and airy cooking space

In a small kitchen, every inch of space and light is incredibly valuable. So when it comes to knowing how to dress a small kitchen window, you'll want to focus on design choices that make the most of all available natural light while also adding style to a compact space.

Kitchen window treatment ideas also have to be practical. Although style is crucial, you'll also need to choose the right material for a busy cooking space and a functional fitting that works in your space.

Window treatments can sometimes feel like a difficult feature to plan, particularly if you need blinds or curtains made to measure for a small window, which is why we've spoken to experts to figure out exactly which tricks you should be following to make a small space look bigger.

1. Don't be afraid to colour clash

In a small kitchen, it can feel tempting to keep decor super pared-back in a bid to make it feel as spacious as possible. If this aligns with your personal taste then there's no harm in keeping things minimal but if not, don't be afraid to clash colour and pattern.

A window treatment is the perfect way to incorporate another patterned fabric in a kitchen, and prints like William Morris are an easy way to introduce a classic floral design that will stand the test of time.

2. Add a decorative frill

When dressing a small window in a kitchen, it might not be necessary to choose a full covering. Perhaps your kitchen isn't overlooked by other properties or maybe there's not much room for a blind, whichever it is, you can choose more of a decorative covering instead.

This frilly trim, situated on the top of the window, is a great way of dialling into the kitchen trend for ditsy prints and cafe-inspired frills, without getting in the way of your sink and worktop. It also means you don't need to worry about damaging the window covering when cooking or washing up.

3. Enhance light with a half-height style

When you want to add privacy to your kitchen but don't want to block out all of the natural light, a half-height cafe curtain is the ultimate solution.

'Mid-height curtain rods are a clever trick; they allow light to enter while maintaining privacy at eye level. This setup is ideal for high-traffic kitchen areas,' recommends Danny. Not to mention they create a quintessential cafe look.

4. Go for space-saving styles

If you only have a small window in a kitchen, then choosing minimal styles that don't overcrowd the panes is key. If you want curtains, then light and airy options will help to make a kitchen window look bigger whereas blinds with slimline fittings will maintain a pared-back look.

'Space-saving window coverings such as pleated blinds offer a great solution, as they have a minimal stack when raised. These types of blinds fit neatly into the window’s recess and can come with cordless operation so there’s no cords or chains in the way,' advises Daniel Hatfield, brand manager at Luxaflex.

'You can also create the illusion of more space with clever solutions such as top down, bottom up blinds - letting you open your blind from the top, the bottom, or anywhere in between.'

5. Keep it light and airy

When it comes to selecting materials for blinds or curtains on a small kitchen window, it's best to avoid heavy fabrics that might weigh the look down and block natural light.

'Sheer curtains or blinds in light colours are your best friends,' Allan Reid, founder of Art Windows and Doors explains. 'They allow natural light to filter through, keeping the space bright and the window feeling larger.'

Neutral shades will act as a clever colour trick to make a small kitchen feel bigger whereas soft materials such as linen blinds will soften the scheme.

6. Invest in smart tech

Tech comes into many elements of a kitchen design, from smart ovens to hot water taps to make everyday life a breeze. Why not take it one step further and add tech to your window coverings?

In a small kitchen, it might be tricky to get to the window and could involve needing to reach over kitchen essentials and small appliances.

'For hard-to-reach windows, consider making your roller or day and night blinds smart,' suggests Lisa Cooper, head of product at Thomas Sanderson. 'They can be controlled remotely using a hub, your phone, or even voice control, eliminating the need to climb or stretch. Perfect for skylights or high windows!'

7. Choose a charming look

A small kitchen is the perfect opportunity to lean into a homely traditional kitchen styles, and window treatment ideas are a great place to start.

'Valances are perfect for dressing small kitchen windows because they add character and style without covering too much of the window. They're particularly useful in balancing privacy and natural light, especially in compact kitchen areas,' recommends Danny Stalman, founder of Plan-it Windows.

Alternatively, if you only have one or two windows to focus on, why not use a statement pattern such as stripes or a floral to add interest to the overall layout?

FAQs

How to make a small kitchen window look bigger

Windows are expensive to replace and if you have a compact kitchen, there might not be many options for reconfiguring window placement without underdoing a hefty renovation.

Luckily, there are many optical illusions you can try out to make a small kitchen window look larger. Playing with different patterns such as vertical stripes will draw the eye upwards enhancing the height of the room and making the window appear longer.

Likewise, minimising the fittings and placing the blind fittings slightly outside of the recess will add an extra inch or so of window space. It's a small adjustment but it can have a big impact on how large a window will look.

Whether you only have an evening to spruce up your kitchen window or it's part of a longer, ongoing kitchen renovation, these simple tricks will have a big impact.