If you’ve been following along with me on Instagram lately, you know I’ve been slowly giving our kitchen a little spring refresh and I just added the coziest detail that completely changed the vibe in here: cafe curtains!
I have this big window just above our kitchen sink that I always loved for the light, but something about it always felt a little bare. I kept going back and forth on whether curtains would cover too much of the view and honestly, once I hung them, I never looked back. Yes, they block the view a little, but the whimsy and warmth they add to the space is so worth it. The kitchen instantly felt homier, cozier, and just more finished.
And the best part? This is a completely renter-friendly upgrade. No damage, no drilling, no commitment. I’ll show you exactly how I did it below.
Project at a Glance
- Skill level: Total beginner (seriously, anyone can do this)
- Time: 30 minutes or less
- Cost: ~$50 (depending on the curtains you choose)
- Best for: Any kitchen, bathroom, or small window
Tools & Materials
- Curtain Rods – these come with simple brackets and adjust to fit a range of window widths, so you don’t need a precise measurement.
- Cafe Curtains – I went with this pinch-pleated farmhouse linen style in a blue and green floral print and I am obsessed!
- Velcro Command Strips – easier and less permanent than the screws the curtain rods come with (perfect for renters!).
- Scissors
- A measuring tape (optional, but helpful for getting your placement even)
Step 1: Picking Your Curtains
Before I landed on my final pick, I tried out a few different fabrics and styles to see what felt right for the space. I’ll link all the ones I considered below so you can see the options. The right curtain really does depend on your window size, your color palette, and the vibe you’re going for.
Step 2: Pick Your Placement
Before you put anything up, decide where on the window you want the curtains to hang. Cafe curtains are designed to cover just the bottom half of the window, so you have some flexibility. I recommend holding the rod up at a few different heights and stepping back to see what looks best before committing. I personally think it looks best when the curtain grazes the windowsill.
Step 3: Thread the Curtains onto the Rod
Do this before you mount anything! Slide the curtains onto the rod first so you’re not fumbling with them after the brackets are already up.
Step 4: Mount the Brackets with Command Strips
Here’s where the renter-friendly magic happens. Instead of drilling screws into the window casing, I used velcro command strips and it works perfectly.
Here’s exactly how I did it:
- Cut the command strips down to match the size of the bracket
- Stick one command strip to the back of the bracket
- Stick the other command strip to the side of the window casing where you want the bracket to sit (measure and mark first if you want everything perfectly even!)
- Press firmly to secure (hold for about 30 seconds)
Repeat on the other side, making sure both brackets are level.
Step 5: Attach the Rod
Once both brackets are up, simply set the curtain rod into the brackets and screw on the ball finial at each end to lock it in place. That’s it!
A note on the rods: these adjust from 18 to 30 inches, which means they’ll fit a wide range of windows without needing an exact measurement. So helpful!
The Finishing Touch: A New Pendant Light
While I was refreshing the kitchen, I also swapped out the pendant light over the sink and WOW, what a difference. I went with this Rattan Boho Pendant Light and it adds the most beautiful warmth to the space. The woven wicker shade gives off the best glow and ties in perfectly with the organic, cozy feel of the curtains.
The Before & After
The kitchen already had great bones, but these two simple additions — the cafe curtains and the pendant light — made it feel so much more intentional and pulled together. I’m genuinely so excited to keep decorating in here for spring. Stay tuned because there’s more to come!
Interested in more easy home upgrades? Read more tutorials and get design inspo here!
