Give Your Kitchen Curtains a Modern Makeover

If you have an older kitchen or you embrace one of the retro styles, you don’t have to put up with those dated window treatments that were all the rage in the ’70s. It’s pretty easy to give your kitchen valances a fresh, modern vibe by going for simpler styles, natural fabrics, bolder patterns, or muted designs.

To give your windows a more relaxed and stylish look, ditch the frilly, fancy valances that just scream for attention. Say goodbye to the ruffles and those poofy balloon shapes that have no place in today’s kitchens, even in spaces with a country or vintage vibe. Modern valances are sleeker, and they shouldn’t be the main focus of the room; they should frame the top of your windows and blend into or complement the rest of the decor. Think clean-lined box pleated valances or tailored ones that cover wooden blinds.

In today’s kitchens, valances look best when they’re fitted inside the window rather than covering the entire top of the frame and beyond. They add structure without overwhelming the window with tons of fabric, frills, and other embellishments. Natural fabrics like crisp linens, breezy cottons, and sturdy canvas are being used to provide more up-to-date solutions that allow your home to blend with the great outdoors. These types of fabrics can also add some much-needed texture, which is becoming really popular in interior design.

Similarly, those fussy floral prints are being replaced with clean-lined panels in bold geometric designs or muted prints with nature-inspired themes featuring birds, simple flowers, and leaves. While ruffled valances are a bit dated, scalloped ones are making a comeback, especially if they have bolder designs in black and white toile or vibrant shades like red. And if you’re updating an older home with those old-school valance boxes, you could consider getting rid of them altogether.