The Best Dining Room Curtain Ideas to Convince You It’s Time for New Window Treatments

11 Min Read

Dining room curtains are both practical and decorative. They can provide privacy, filter light, block window drafts, and make your space feel warmer and more welcoming for family meals and entertaining.

Soften and style dining room windows with solid, sheer, or patterned curtains in fabrics like cotton, silk, linen, and velvet. Choose window treatments that blend in with a neutral decor scheme or favor a bold color or pattern to make a statement.

Check out these dining room curtain ideas in a range of styles for inspiration.

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    Colorful Patterned Curtains

    colorful patterned dining room curtain ideas

    Mary Patton Design 

    Amplify both color and pattern with bold curtains in an eye-catching fabric. In this midcentury modern dining room, emerald green drapes contrast with pale pink walls for an eclectic look.

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    Accent Curtains

    colorful dining room curtain ideas

    Casa Watkins Living

    Hang colorful curtains in a bright shade to give your dining room an instant lift. This is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to makeover your space.

    Should You Hang Curtains in the Dining Room?

    Yes, you should hang curtains in the dining room to make it feel cozier and more inviting. Choose a neutral color or sheers to make them blend in, or use bold printed curtains to make a design statement with color and/or pattern.

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    Striped Curtains

    bold pink dining room curtains

    Kendall Wilkinson Design

    Frame your dining room windows with bold striped curtains. Choose horizontal black-and-white stripes for a classic look, or asymmetrical pink-and-blue curtains to complement a formal dining room color palette.

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    Velvet Drapes

    earth tone curtain ideas for formal dining room

    Twelve 15 Design Studio

    Add elegance to your dining room with velvet drapes. The lush and heavy fabric will make the space feel more intimate, and help block window drafts in cooler weather.

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    Woodland Patterned Curtains

    blue dining room with patterned curtains

    Lisa Gilmore Design / Amy Lamb of Native House Photography

    Infuse a modern dining room with a touch of nature-inspired whimsy by hanging woodland patterned curtains. Pair the multicolored design with solid colors on walls, trim, ceilings, and upholstered chairs.

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    Matching Curtains and Walls

    matching dining room curtains and wallpaper ideas

    Forbes + Masters

    Give your dining room a bespoke feel with matching wall and window treatments. This space includes hand-painted wallpaper and curtains in an abstract design that is paired with clean white wainscoting for a high-contrast look.

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    Sheer Dining Room Curtains

    sheer dining room curtain ideas

    Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

    Maximize natural light in a small dining room with sheer curtains. They will filter glare and views without blocking light.

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    Bright Floral Curtains

    eclectic dining room curtain ideas

    Design by Lisa Gilmore Design / Photo by Native House Photography

    Choose a floral pattern on a bright background to decorate an eclectic and colorful space. This Florida dining room is finished with pink grasscloth walls, floral wall art, ceiling wallpaper, and mismatched seating for a signature look.

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    Country-Style Curtains

    patterned colorful curtains in traditional dining room

    Studio Peake

    Decorate an English country-style dining room with multicolored botanical-themed curtains. Choose an airy and delicate pattern to complement upholstered chairs for a charming feel.

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    Layered Dining Room Curtains

    neutral dining room curtain ideas

    dekohem / Christopher Lee Foto 

    Layer sheer curtains with heavier colored or patterned drapes if you want to create options for light and privacy control. This will make both small and large dining rooms feel cozier.

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    Matching Window Shade

    dining room with matching curtains and window shades

    Mary Patton Design

    If your dining room includes both windows and French doors, use the same fabric for window treatments. In this space, the French door curtains and Roman window shade are made from the same ivory fabric.

  • 12
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    French Door Curtains

    french door curtains in dining room

    Alvin Wayne

    If your dining room has French doors that are connected to an outdoor patio or deck, you’ll probably enjoy looking out at the view during daytime hours. Give yourself the option of closing them off come dinnertime with simple white curtains that blend into the background when not in use.

    Types of Curtains

    Modern curtains come in a number of styles that are easy to hang. Look for grommet, rod pocket, or ring curtains with hooks.

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    Cafe Curtains

    dining room nook with cafe curtains

    Becca Interiors

    Decorate an eat-in kitchen dining nook with cafe curtains on the lower half of sash windows. These simple and charming window treatments will give your small dining room the feel of a cozy cafe.

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    Pinch Pleat Curtains

    pinch pleat curtains in dining room

    Michelle Berwick Design

    Pinch pleat curtains have a slightly formal appearance that will add elegance to a traditional or modern dining room. Choose a solid color similar to the walls to add texture while maintaining a streamlined look.

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    Bay or Bow Window Curtains

    dining room with bay or bow window curtain ideas

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

    Soften a large dining room bow or bay window with curtains. Hang them from a curved rod that hugs the shape of this coveted architectural feature.

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    Natural Linen Curtains

    cozy dining room curtain ideas

    Tyler Karu

    Give your dining room a casual and unpretentious feel with natural linen curtains. Choose a warm-toned shade to complement natural wood furniture and allow the naturally rumpled appearance of this sustainable material to give your space an effortlessly chic feel.

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    Wavy Patterned Curtain

    wavy patterned dining room curtains

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Choose a wavy abstract pattern to create movement in a modern dining room. Layer with neutral white window shades to complement the coastal color palette and contrast with warm wood and woven accents.

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    Fixed Curtain Panels

    dining room with fixed curtain panels flanking window

    Louis Duncan-He Designs

    Soften windows that don’t need coverage with a fixed curtain panel or two. Flanking windows with soft folds of fabric will create a more relaxed atmosphere without blocking light or views.

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    Modern Botanicals

    modern dining room curtain ideas

    Forbes + Masters

    Decorate a contemporary dining room with a wall of curtains in a modern botanical pattern. Pull an accent color from the curtains into seating upholstery or throw pillows for a coordinated look.

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    Ceiling-Height Curtains

    midcentury modern dining room curtain ideas

    Michelle Berwick Design

    Make your dining room ceilings look taller by hanging curtains at ceiling height. This will draw the eye upward and create a more expansive feel.

    Should dining room curtains touch the floor?

    Yes, dining room curtains should touch the floor. Hanging curtains that break where the floor begins without hovering above it or puddling will soften your dining room and make it more inviting to spend time in.

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    Coastal Dining Room Curtains

    coastal dining room curtain ideas

    White Sands

    Create a coastal feel in a dining room with or without an ocean view by choosing blue-and-white patterned curtains. Choose curtain panels to soften a wall of windows with a waterfront view.

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    Earth-Tone Curtains

    colorful dining room curtain ideas

    Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

    Tone down bold botanical wallpaper with solid curtains in a contrasting shade. Choose a warm earth tone like burnt orange or rust to complement a leafy green wallpaper pattern.

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    Contemporary Curtains

    modern dining room with gray and white curtains

    Leclair Decor

    Decorate a contemporary dining room with graphic patterned curtains in shades of white and gray. Choose an area rug in a different but complementary pattern for a subtly dynamic look to elevate a minimalist space.

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    Contrasting Curtains

    formal dining room with cream curtains

    Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

    Patterned curtains create contrast in a room with white walls. Use solid curtains in a heavy material to balance a formal dining room decorated with painted wainscoting, wallpaper, and statement millwork.

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    Airy Floral Curtains

    formal dining room floral curtain ideas

    Ashley Montgomery Design

    Soften the walls of a large dining room with floral curtains in soft colors on an airy fabric that won’t block natural light. Pair with pale blush walls and natural wood accents for an inviting feel.

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    Thin Stripe Curtains

    white dining room curtain ideas

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Add interest to an all-white eat-in kitchen by hanging white curtains with a thin vertical stripe. The pattern will add subtle texture without being the first thing you notice when you walk into the room.

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    Checked Curtains

    dining room check pattern curtain ideas

    Ashley Montgomery Design

    Checked curtains can veer country or elegant. This formal dining room is finished with small check patterned curtains that have wide striped edges that mimic the painted blue trim.

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    Gold-Patterned Curtains

    dining room patterned curtain ideas

    Margaret Wright

    Brighten your dining room with white curtains that feature a gold pattern to complement painted and natural wood and woven accents. This will add warmth to complement a modern or boho-style dining room.

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    Color-Coordinated Curtains

    midcentury modern dining room curtain ideas

    Mary Patton Design

    Choose curtains made from printed fabric that matches your dining room color scheme for a cohesive look with plenty of visual interest. Pair darker walls with lighter curtains to add contrast.

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    Farmhouse Dining Room Curtains

    modern farmhouse dining room curtain ideas

    Michelle Berwick Design

    Complement a neutral modern farmhouse dining room with simple white curtains. Choose black metal curtain rods to echo windows and accent chairs.


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