Has anyone tried using curtains to replace cabinet doors?

Bracha Moskoff
by Bracha Moskoff

Hi everyone, I am looking to update the style of my kitchen cabinets without breaking the bank. Has anyone tried using curtains to replace cabinet doors? If so, what are some easy DIY tips for installing curtains as cabinet doors? What types of curtains and hardware are recommended for this project?

Curtains to replace cabinet doors



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  17 answers
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Apr 24, 2023

    Hi Bracha,

    What an interesting question! I have seen curtains on lower cabinets and they are usually installed using velcro tape or a tension rod. You would glue the rough side of the velcro tape to the edge where the curtain would be mounted.

    Personally I would find it cumbersome to have a curtain on an upper cabinet, it would have to be lifted or pushed aside to get to what is needed, plus it would get dirty faster and be higher maintenance. I would suggest fancying up your cupboard doors, have you though of that? Some suggestions are removable contact paper or wall paper. There are many transfers out there that are inexpensive.

    Hmmm...thinking further, you could cover the back wall of your cupboards with something pretty that you would love to look at. Again, removable contact or wall paper so you could change it out at will.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Apr 24, 2023

    I used a spring tension rod to replace some broken cabinet doors several years ago.

    Another thing you might consider is covering your doors with contact paper or removable wallpaper.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Apr 24, 2023

    you could take down the cabinet doors and hang a tension rod up to cover with fabric or curtains that fit that area


  • Spring tension rods would work well.

  • Athena Marsh Athena Marsh on Apr 24, 2023

    Home Depot

  • Dee Dee on Apr 24, 2023

    my grandparents used curtains on their cabinet doors. They attached them with tension rods. Had red and white checks, always looked festive. But be aware you are giving yourself another load of laundry because they do get greasy.

  • Frieda Frieda on Apr 24, 2023

    Yes, for years. Use a tension rod to go in the curtains then 0lace in the space where the door went.

  • Janice Janice on Apr 26, 2023

    You might consider leaving the cabinet doors and applying spray adhesive to the doors and then wrapping the doors with cloth. I believe I once saw a Hometalk post where this was done. I didn't really care for the look but to me having doors that open would be much more useful than having to move the curtains aside each time I want to remove something from the cabinets. Spring tension rod would work as others have mentioned but not very practical.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 30, 2023

    I used Curtain Wires scross each cabinet at top and Curtains with a wide heading to take wire.

  • Most people use a tension rod to create that skirted look on cabinets. I didn't think that would hold up, so I actually attached the fabric to my cabinet doors. Works great for us. Not sure how it would work on your cabinets.


    Also you could decoupage the fabric to the cabinet doors you have now.


  • Bracha Moskoff Bracha Moskoff on May 01, 2023

    Amazing, thank you for the advice

  • Mogie Mogie on May 01, 2023

    You could run a strip of velcro on the rim of the cabinet and the curtain. That way it would be a snap to take them down and wash them also. Just be aware that the material will get dirty and not be as easy to clean as a cabinet door.

  • You could try one long curtain rod across the front that attaches to the walls on opposite sides, then hang divided curtains. Like Mogie mentioned, they will get dirty pretty quick in a hard-wearing environment like a kitchen. You could paint the cabinet doors, stencil them, or apply contact paper in a pattern you like to change the look.

  • Sheryl Monaspa Sheryl Monaspa on May 05, 2023

    I haven't, but I guess it might be a decent option to freshen up the space.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 03, 2023

    In my opinion that look really dates a room. I remember my grandma had curtains up instead of cupboard doors but that was because they didn't have much money.

  • After removing the doors, you could hang fabric from tension rods.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 31, 2023

    Yes my daughter in law has. Using curtain wires and hooks. You could also use venetion or roller blinds too.