9 Stunning Decor Ideas For Your Kitchen Window Over The Sink

Tired of staring at a blank, uninspiring space while you wash the dishes? That window over your kitchen sink is one of the most frequently viewed spots in your entire home. It’s a prime piece of real estate that’s often overlooked, but it holds incredible potential to become a true focal point and a source of daily joy. If you’re ready to transform that empty pane into a picture-perfect vignette, you’ve come to the right place.

This high-traffic area is the perfect opportunity for a major style upgrade, and it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. We’ve gathered nine stunning, practical, and achievable ideas that will turn this overlooked space into one of your favorite features in the kitchen. Whether you have five minutes or a full weekend, there’s a project here for you.

Decorating the window over your kitchen sink is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your kitchen’s overall aesthetic. By incorporating elements like plants, functional shelving, or stylish window treatments, you can transform this practical space into a beautiful and personalized focal point. Get ready to find the perfect solution that fits your style, budget, and skill level.

9 Stunning Decor Ideas For Your Kitchen Window Over The Sink (2025 Update)

From quick five-minute updates to more involved weekend projects, there are countless ways to approach your kitchen window decor. The best part? There is a perfect solution for every style, whether you love modern minimalism, rustic farmhouse, or bohemian charm. These ideas have been selected for their ideal balance of beauty, practicality, and ease of implementation, drawing from popular interior design trends and user-tested solutions.

1. Bring Life to Your Sink with a Windowsill Herb Garden

An herb garden is the quintessential decor for a kitchen windowsill because it’s both beautiful and incredibly functional. Placing a few pots of your favorite herbs not only adds a pop of fresh, natural color but also puts fresh ingredients right at your fingertips for cooking.

Save this fresh idea to your ‘Green Kitchen’ board!

• Materials Needed: 3-5 small pots with drainage holes, potting mix, selection of herbs (basil, mint, rosemary, chives), small tray or saucers.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Fill each pot with potting mix, leaving space for the plant.
  2. Gently remove your herbs from their nursery containers and place one in each pot. Add more soil to secure them.
  3. Water lightly and place each pot on a saucer or tray to catch excess water.
  4. Arrange the pots on your windowsill, varying heights for visual interest.

Pro-Tip: Choose herbs that you frequently use in cooking to make the garden both beautiful and practical. Mint and chives are particularly hardy and great for beginners.

2. Maximize Space with a Floating Window Shelf

A floating shelf installed across the window is a brilliant way to add storage and display space without blocking precious natural light. It draws the eye upward, making the space feel larger, and provides the perfect perch for small plants, your favorite mug, or a beautiful bottle of dish soap.

Pin this clever storage solution for later!

• Materials Needed: A piece of wood cut to the width of your window, two shelf brackets (or a hanging shelf kit), screws, a drill, a level.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Measure the width of your window opening. Cut your wood board to size, or have it cut at a hardware store.
  2. Sand and stain or paint the shelf to match your kitchen decor. Let it dry completely.
  3. Mark the desired height for your shelf on the window frame or adjacent wall. Use a level to ensure your marks are even.
  4. Drill pilot holes and securely attach the brackets to the window frame.
  5. Place the shelf on the brackets and secure it with screws from underneath.

Pro-Tip: For a less permanent option, consider a tension rod shelf that fits snugly within the window frame without any drilling.

3. Soften the Look with Stylish Cafe Curtains

Cafe curtains are a timeless choice for adding privacy and softness to a kitchen window. By covering only the bottom half of the window, they shield your sink area from outside view while allowing an abundance of natural light to stream in from the top, keeping the space bright and airy.

Add this charming look to your ‘Farmhouse Kitchen’ board!

• Materials Needed: Cafe curtain panels, a tension rod appropriately sized for your window width.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Measure the width of the inside of your window frame. Purchase a tension rod that adjusts to this width.
  2. Choose cafe curtains that are roughly 1.5 times the width of your window for a nice, gathered look.
  3. Unscrew the tension rod to lengthen it slightly longer than the window width.
  4. Thread the curtains onto the rod.
  5. Compress the rod and fit it securely into the window frame at your desired height (typically halfway up the window).

Lesson Learned: Always measure your window before buying curtains. For a custom look, buy longer curtain panels and hem them to the perfect length for your window sill.

4. Add Warmth and Texture with Woven Wood Shades

Woven wood or bamboo shades are an excellent way to introduce natural texture and organic warmth into your kitchen. They provide an earthy, high-end look and offer versatile light control, allowing you to filter bright sun or raise them completely to enjoy the view.

Loving this natural texture? Save it to your ‘Home Decor’ board!

• Materials Needed: Custom-sized woven wood shade, mounting brackets, screws, drill, measuring tape.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Carefully measure the inside width and height of your window frame for an “inside mount.”
  2. Order a shade based on these exact measurements from a home improvement store or online retailer.
  3. Once the shade arrives, hold the mounting brackets in place inside the top corners of the window frame and mark the screw holes.
  4. Drill pilot holes and then screw the brackets securely into place.
  5. Snap the headrail of the shade into the brackets according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it clicks.

Pro-Tip: Consider a “top-down/bottom-up” feature for woven shades. This allows you to lower the shade from the top for privacy on the bottom half while still letting light stream in from above.

5. Create a Focal Point with Accent Lighting

Adding accent lighting, such as a pair of sconces flanking the window, instantly elevates the entire sink area from purely functional to a deliberate design statement. It provides essential task lighting for evening chores and casts a warm, inviting ambient glow that makes the kitchen feel cozier.

Brighten up your kitchen! Pin this lighting idea now.

• Materials Needed: Wall sconce(s), light bulbs, electrical wire, wire nuts, screwdriver, voltage tester. (Note: Professional installation recommended).
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Safety First: Turn off the power to the circuit at your breaker box.
  2. Plan the placement of your sconce(s) flanking or above the window.
  3. Run electrical wiring from a power source to the sconce location (this step is best left to a qualified electrician).
  4. Mount the sconce’s backplate to the wall.
  5. Connect the wires (hot, neutral, ground) using wire nuts, following the fixture’s instructions.
  6. Attach the fixture to the mounting plate, install the bulb, and restore power to test.

Pro-Tip: If hardwiring isn’t an option, look for “plug-in” wall sconces. They mount to the wall just like a hardwired version but have a cord that you can simply plug into a nearby outlet.

6. Frame Your View with Dramatic Tile

Extending your backsplash tile up and around the window creates a bold, seamless frame that makes a huge design impact. This technique makes the window feel more integrated into the kitchen design and provides a durable, water-resistant surface that’s perfect for a high-splash zone.

Make a statement! Save this bold tile idea.

• Materials Needed: Tile, thin-set mortar, notched trowel, tile saw or cutter, grout, grout float, sponge, level.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Prepare the wall by ensuring it’s clean, dry, and flat.
  2. Mix the thin-set mortar according to the package directions.
  3. Apply a thin layer of mortar to a small section of the wall with the notched trowel.
  4. Press the tiles into the mortar, using tile spacers for even gaps. Use a tile saw to make cuts around the window frame.
  5. Allow the mortar to cure for 24-48 hours, then remove the spacers and apply grout with a float, pressing it into the gaps.
  6. Wipe away excess grout with a damp sponge and let the grout cure.

Lesson Learned: Tiling around a window is a great weekend DIY project, but “dry fitting” your tile layout on the counter first is crucial to plan your cuts and avoid mistakes.

7. Get Organized with a Windowsill Tray

One of the simplest yet most effective updates is to use a small tray to corral your sink-side essentials. This instantly declutters the area, making it look tidy and intentional. It groups hand soap, dish soap, and brushes into a single, stylish unit that is easy to move for cleaning.

Pin this simple trick for a clutter-free sink!

• Materials Needed: A small, waterproof tray that fits your windowsill, matching soap dispensers, a holder for brushes/sponges.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Measure the depth of your windowsill to find a tray that fits perfectly.
  2. Decant your favorite hand soap and dish soap into attractive, refillable dispensers.
  3. Find a small cup or holder for your dish brush to keep it upright and allow it to dry.
  4. Arrange the dispensers and brush holder neatly on the tray. This creates a single, contained unit that is easy to move for cleaning.

Pro-Tip: Choose a tray made of a non-porous material like ceramic, marble, or resin that won’t be damaged by water and is easy to wipe clean.

8. Add Boho Charm with Hanging Macrame Planters

If your windowsill is too narrow for pots, utilize the vertical space by hanging plants in front of the window. Macrame planters add a soft, bohemian texture and allow you to enjoy greenery without cluttering your counter space. Trailing plants look especially beautiful as they cascade down.

Love this look? Save it to your ‘Boho Home’ Pinterest board!

• Materials Needed: Macrame plant hanger(s), potted plant(s), screw-in ceiling hook with anchor.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Choose a lightweight plant and pot combination. Trailing plants like Pothos or Philodendron work beautifully.
  2. Locate a ceiling joist above your window using a stud finder for a secure anchor point. If no joist is available, use a heavy-duty toggle bolt anchor.
  3. Drill a pilot hole and screw the hook firmly into the ceiling.
  4. Place your potted plant securely into the macrame hanger.
  5. Hang the loop of the macrame hanger from the ceiling hook and adjust so the plant hangs freely.

Pro-Tip: To make watering easy and prevent drips on your counter, take the pot out of the hanger and water it in the sink. Let it drain completely before placing it back.

9. Hide an Ugly View with Decorative Window Film

If your kitchen window looks out onto a neighbor’s wall or an unsightly alley, decorative window film is a stylish and affordable solution. It obscures the view and adds privacy while still allowing soft, diffused natural light to fill your kitchen. It comes in countless patterns, from simple frosted glass to intricate stained-glass effects.

Problem solved! Pin this brilliant idea for later.

• Materials Needed: Decorative window film, spray bottle with water and a drop of dish soap, squeegee, craft knife, measuring tape.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Thoroughly clean the inside of your window glass and let it dry.
  2. Measure your window pane and cut the film to size, leaving about a 1-inch border on all sides.
  3. Generously spray the window glass with the soap and water solution.
  4. Peel the backing off the film and apply the sticky side to the wet glass. The water allows you to slide it into the perfect position.
  5. Once positioned, use a squeegee to smooth out all air bubbles, working from the center outwards.
  6. Use a sharp craft knife to carefully trim the excess film along the edges of the window pane.

Lesson Learned: Using more water than you think you need is the key to a bubble-free application. Don’t be afraid to completely soak the window!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to kitchen window decor over sink

• Add Greenery: Plants and herbs are the fastest way to add life, color, and function to your windowsill.
• Think Vertically: Use floating shelves or hanging planters to draw the eye upward and add decor without cluttering the counter.
• Control Light & Privacy: Window treatments like cafe curtains or woven shades offer a perfect blend of style and function.
• Combine Form & Function: Use accent lighting and organizational trays to improve both the look and usability of your sink area.
• Solve Problems Creatively: Use tile to create a durable, beautiful frame or window film to obscure an undesirable view while keeping the light.

People Also Ask About kitchen window decor over sink

What to put on your kitchen windowsill?

The best items for a kitchen windowsill are both beautiful and practical. Consider a small tray of potted herbs like basil or mint, a stylish dispenser for hand soap, a small decorative lamp for ambient light, or a single beautiful vase with fresh flowers. To keep it from looking cluttered, choose just 2-3 items that complement your kitchen’s style.

What is the best window above a kitchen sink?

Casement and awning windows are often considered the best for above a kitchen sink. Because they open outwards with a crank handle rather than sliding up, they are much easier to operate when you have to reach over the sink and faucet. They also provide excellent ventilation. Picture windows are great if you want to maximize light and views without needing ventilation.

How to make a kitchen window pretty?

To make a kitchen window pretty, focus on three areas: life, texture, and style. First, add life with plants or an herb garden. Second, add texture and softness with a window treatment like a Roman shade or simple cafe curtains. Third, add personal style with a curated display on the sill, such as a framed photo, a unique vase, or an organizational tray. Good lighting, like a pair of sconces, can also dramatically enhance its appeal.

Final Thoughts

Your kitchen sink window is a small space with huge design potential. It’s a canvas waiting for your personal touch, ready to be transformed from a simple pane of glass into a feature that makes you smile every time you’re at the sink. You don’t need a complete renovation to make a significant impact; a small change can completely refresh the look and feel of your kitchen.

Pick one idea from this list that truly resonated with you and give it a try this weekend. You’ll be amazed at how much a little attention to this often-neglected spot can elevate your entire kitchen.

Which of these ideas are you most excited to try in your kitchen? Let us know in the comments below