11 kitchen window ideas to enhance the brightest part of your scheme

Kitchen windows add abundant natural light to your space, but how can you elevate them and make them feel a part of your design? A kitchen requires a careful balance of style and function, so your approach to window ideas elsewhere in your home probably won't work in this more practical room.

The majority of your kitchen ideas revolve around hard surfaces and functional elements, but your window treatment ideas are a perfect way to add an unexpected detail, or even just soften the scheme and add a more homey appeal.

So, what are the best kitchen window ideas to consider in your space? We've turned to designers to find out their favorite ways to make a feature of kitchen windows – and their answers are vast and varied.

14 kitchen window ideas to consider

Whether you like simple blind designs or want to make a design moment of your window, your kitchen is the place to really have fun. From seating to playful paint colors, these ideas are sure to inspire.

1. Add a sheer window treatment

While adding a window treatment such as blinds or curtains seems like an obvious choice, it's important to choose the right design.

'Adding a beautiful sheer with some color accents that relate to the room aesthetic is a great way to address a feature window,' says Miriam Dillon, an interior designer at the Washington DC-based BVA BarnesVanze Architects.

'In this project, we used a periwinkle tape trim that coordinates with a subtle hint of color in the island pendant,' she adds, which adds a beautiful design feature that softens the window without impeding the flow of natural light.

2. Add stylish storage with a window seat

If you have a large kitchen window that ends low on the wall, you probably can't utilize the space for cabinetry. Instead, adding a small window seat with smart storage can add a more aesthetic and cozy addition to your design.

'Incorporating seating into areas like window nooks not only enhances the flow of a room but also maximizes its functionality. These cozy spots provide a perfect place to pause, relax, and enjoy the natural light or a nice view, transforming an often overlooked area into a stylish and multifunctional feature,' says Sophie Hartley, designer at Tom Howley.

This is a great idea if you don't have space for a full dining area within your kitchen, or simply want a tranquil spot to enjoy the view.

3. Connect your kitchen window to your outdoor space

A kitchen is a great way to connect spaces in your home, whether it's to a dining space or a patio, which promotes the ever-growing trend of indoor/outdoor living.

'One of my favorite ways to make a kitchen window into a focal feature is to turn it into an awning pass-through bar. Especially if it's connected to an amazing space like a porch or patio,' says Sondra Zabroske, architect and team leader at Four Brothers Design + Build.

'On the kitchen side, you have increased light and connection to the outdoors, and the porch or patio side is elevated to a fun and inviting space that you just want to hang out in. If this kitchen is the heart of the home why not spill it into other spaces?'

4. Add a banquette

A kitchen window is the perfect place to add a cozy dining nook. There's plenty of daylight to brighten the corner, especially for your morning coffee or breakfast. And that's exactly what the designers did in this kitchen.

'One way to make a feature of a kitchen window is to integrate it with other design elements. The homeowners wanted to maintain the integrity of the house as much as possible, which included accentuating the large, original window in their new dining space,' explains Audrey English of Four Brothers Design + Build.

'The banquette seating envelopes the window and its casing, helping integrate this 1908 window with our renovation. The banquette is oriented around the south-facing window, taking full advantage of the light it provides,' she adds.

5. Pick a subtle and soft blind

In this vibrant, colorful kitchen, defined by an uplifting primary color palette, the small window has been dressed with a cream Roman blind. Keeping things subtle and simple, the blind adds softness and texture to the space, but elegantly blends in with the cream painted walls. A stylish example of what do you put on a small kitchen window?

The neutral blind allows for the focus to be drawn to the other, colorful features in the room, with the window enhanced instead through a collection of decorative ornaments and a botanical display placed on the ledge.

There are limited areas in the kitchen where you can use upholstery and soft furnishings, and window blind ideas are a great way to introduce inviting texture to the space.

6. Choose a practical fabric for your kitchen windows

In this cozy green kitchen by Sarah Vanrenen of Vanrenen GW Designs, she states of the design, 'We chose this striped fabric because the colors were so perfect, it’s also not a regimented stripe making it much softer. Blinds were also used here because they are above a work surface, so are a much more practical option.'

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the home, and you want it to both look good but also embody a functional design that can withstand the demands of the space. Kitchens can be full of moisture and humidity so you need to choose your window treatment carefully. Polyester or polyester mix fabrics, are a great choice as they are resistant to damp and humid conditions.

With many windows in the kitchen positioned above kitchen countertops, stoves and sinks, where there will be water, food preparation and mess from your culinary creations, ensure you spend time choosing the right material and design for above these spaces - long curtains do not bode well!

7. Make an unexpected design feature of your kitchen window

Who says you cannot dress your kitchen windows with shelves?

When we think of window treatments we often think of curtains, blinds, and shutters, however, many interior designers are looking into more adventurous and creative ways you can add privacy to your windows whilst making a unique design statement.

As shown in this elegant modern kitchen by Benjamin Johnston Design, bespoke, open shelving units hang over the large windows, providing not only a unique display space, but also an element of privacy.

Many kitchens benefit from having shelves positioned above the countertop to keep cookware and utensils, as well as to create inviting decorative displays. This kitchen design really utilizes the tall windows to create a truly unique design feature and storage space, with the open shelving design allowing for natural light to still shine through.

8. Keep it classic with kitchen curtains

Some areas of the kitchen do not benefit from long, flowing curtains, however, if you have a smaller window and let the curtains sit at sill length or just below, you will still have a clear countertop. If you have a window above a quieter area of the kitchen, like in the above space, then this can also be a better location for kitchen curtains.

In this unified, stylish kitchen, with fabrics by House of Hackney, the classic, blue and white striped curtains are the star of the show – a beautiful example of decorating with stripes. Adding colorful character as well as elegant clean lines to the room, the window curtains have not only been elevated by a sleek pelmet, but the matching cupboard curtains help to create a cohesive and eye-catching striped theme in the space.

Further enhanced by the paneled walls and blue painted accents, using striped curtains designs like this is also a clever curtain trick to make your windows feel bigger – a great option for small kitchens.

9. Add character with shutters

Shutters have been used on windows for centuries to provide protection and insulation, as well as block out the light.

Often crafted from wood, shutter ideas are associated with more traditional, period properties. However, over the last few years, many homes, both classic and contemporary, are embracing these sleek and smart designs to control the amount of light in a room, add character to a space and of course, create privacy.

10. Uplift your window frames with paint

A lick of paint can really transform the room, whether that's on the walls, ceiling, or windows. A simple kitchen window idea but with a maximum effect, painting your window frames can add an unexpected pop of color to your kitchen space.

As shown in this elegant kitchen, a characterful example of yellow room ideas, the painted kitchen cabinet ideas and use of yellow throughout the space, uplift the room with inviting cheer and warmth. By painting the door and window frames, this not only fully integrates this section of the kitchen into the yellow design, but creates an eye-catching, colorful statement.

11. Allow the beauty of your kitchen windows to shine

Whether you have large floor to ceiling windows, or simply want a clean and uncluttered look, you do not always have to cover your windows, sometimes it is best to leave them as they are.

In this grand kitchen by Lucas Eilers, the dramatic windows have been crafted to fit the beautiful vaulted ceiling. Creating an eye-catching architectural feature and celebrating the size and height of the room, these windows are best left uncovered and on show.

What can I use on my kitchen window?

As we have explored, there are so many designs that you can use on your kitchen window.

Like other rooms in the home, your kitchen windows can greatly benefit from beautiful texture and colorful prints and patterns, however, as it is a busy space designed for cooking, you also need to think practically about what materials and styles best suit the windows in your space.

From more conventional designs such as blinds and curtains, to innovative painted frames and shelving creations, your windows are a platform for creativity and should be united with your overall kitchen design.

Do kitchen windows need curtains?

No, not all kitchen windows need curtains, in fact, many kitchens are much better suited to window treatments such as blinds as they are more practical in a kitchen space.

You can still add texture, color and warmth to your kitchen space through many blind designs, however, depending on where your kitchen windows are placed, many curtains designs can also integrate beautifully into the space.

There are so many fun and thoughtful ways to elevate your kitchen windows. whether you keep things classic with curtains and blinds or add an unexpected seating area, there's a kitchen window idea here for every style and space.