How to Turn Colorful Felt Placemats Into Kitchen Window Decor

Danielle
by Danielle

I had a stack of colorful round felt placemats tucked in a drawer, too pretty to eat on, not quite right for a centerpiece. And then it hit me: they’d make the cutest makeshift curtain. Lightweight, decorative, and easy to clip up, they’re basically window jewelry.


If you’ve got a few lying around (or you spot a cute set at the store), this is the easiest little home DIY to add color and pattern to your kitchen window without sewing or committing to real curtains.

Tools & Materials:

4–5 placemats

Tension rod or regular curtain rod

Curtain rod clips (one clip per placemat, or two for better balance)

Thin twine, ribbon, or string (for hanging at different lengths)

Scissors

Optional: Measuring tape or ruler

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How to hang felt placemats in a window for privacy and color

1. Prep Your Window

If you already have a curtain rod installed, you’re halfway there. If not, here’s a renter-friendly workaround: screw or stick two coat hooks (Command hooks work too!) on either side of your window frame.


Then just rest a tension rod across them for instant support.

No rod? Use coat hooks to support a tension rod in your window frame

2. Choose Your Placemats

Pick 4–5 round colorful felt placemats with pretty laser-cut or die-cut patterns. They’re light enough to hang easily and let the light shine through. Bonus: the designs look extra dreamy with sunbeams behind them.


Any placemats will do really, I just like bold colors and fun designs.

Use different string lengths to create a staggered hanging effect

3. Cut Hanging Strings

Cut several lengths of twine, string, or ribbon.


You want each placemat to hang at a slightly different height. This gives your window that playful, staggered look. Aim for a mix, like 4", 6", 8", and 10".

Colorful DIY kitchen curtain made with placemats and clip
Secure the string through the top of each placemat—no sewing required

4. Attach Strings to Placemats

Thread the string through a top cut-out or carefully make a small hole near the edge of each placemat (if needed).


Tie a secure knot, making sure it hangs straight.

Hang your placemats using curtain clips and stagger the lengths for charm
Easy way to add color to your window using felt placemats

5. Clip & Hang

Clip the top of each string into a curtain clip, then slide the clips onto the rod.


Space them out across the rod and adjust their hanging lengths as needed. The goal is a relaxed, imperfect stagger—nothing too uniform!

How to make a staggered hanging curtain from round placemats
Felt placemats hung from curtain clips to create a layered look
Step-by-step DIY placemat curtain project for renters

6. Step Back & Adjust

Once they’re all up, step back and adjust spacing and height until it looks balanced.


The placemats should overlap slightly but still feel airy and light—kind of like a stained-glass window made from felt!

Adds color, privacy, and texture—without blocking your sunlight

You'll Love This Placemat Window Decoration

This project does double duty: it’s decorative and functional.


The felt placemats let light pour in, but still offer a touch of privacy, color, and visual interest.


And since it’s all reversible and removable, you can switch out the colors seasonally, or even use holiday-themed placemats as the year goes on.


No sewing, no special tools—just a few basic supplies and about 15 minutes.


Try it and share your results—I’d love to see what you hang up!

Frequently asked questions
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 2 comments
  • Ellen Ellen 4 days ago

    Ingenious! Great project, especially for bathroom windows.

  • Mdh51272830 Mdh51272830 2 days ago

    I would like it better with just a pair side my each as a valance.

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