Decorating
11 Times Cupboard Skirts Didn’t Look Twee
No longer consigned only to cute country kitchens, cupboard skirts are making a contemporary comeback all over the house
Cupboard skirts – in other words, curtains that replace cabinet doors – are a quick and easy way to add colour and coverage in a kitchen or bathroom. However, their application should be approached with caution and care if they’re not to look sickly sweet. Here are 11 ways to get yours spot-on.
Introduce a touch of texture
A utility room is an ideal place for a cupboard skirt, because the space tends to lack decorative detail. The right fabric will inject some welcome texture, but not necessarily visual busyness.
Take a tip from this nook, where the gently striped fabric blends smoothly with a range of other soft neutrals to create a harmonious vista.
Pair a heavy natural cotton or linen with accessories in wood and wicker and the effect will be accentuated.
Find the perfect storage baskets for your space in the Houzz Shop
A utility room is an ideal place for a cupboard skirt, because the space tends to lack decorative detail. The right fabric will inject some welcome texture, but not necessarily visual busyness.
Take a tip from this nook, where the gently striped fabric blends smoothly with a range of other soft neutrals to create a harmonious vista.
Pair a heavy natural cotton or linen with accessories in wood and wicker and the effect will be accentuated.
Find the perfect storage baskets for your space in the Houzz Shop
Maximise every inch
Utility zones are also often small, and there may not be space in which to open a cupboard door – as in this room. A space-saving skirt, however, could be just the ticket.
Utility zones are also often small, and there may not be space in which to open a cupboard door – as in this room. A space-saving skirt, however, could be just the ticket.
Combine with French country furniture
Beautiful French homes typically include ornate mirrors, embellished furniture – and the odd cupboard skirt in crisp linen, as in this bathroom.
This scheme also shows how a table can become a cupboard with the addition of a skirt. A heavy top, in this case marble, and careful pleating provides coverage for under-sink plumbing plus a storage area that’s out of sight.
The cool Louis Ghost chair in the corner is a pleasing, modern addition that cleverly takes the space (and skirt) from trad to contemporary.
Here’s how your furniture can make your home feel uncluttered
Beautiful French homes typically include ornate mirrors, embellished furniture – and the odd cupboard skirt in crisp linen, as in this bathroom.
This scheme also shows how a table can become a cupboard with the addition of a skirt. A heavy top, in this case marble, and careful pleating provides coverage for under-sink plumbing plus a storage area that’s out of sight.
The cool Louis Ghost chair in the corner is a pleasing, modern addition that cleverly takes the space (and skirt) from trad to contemporary.
Here’s how your furniture can make your home feel uncluttered
Blend with crisp finishes
Again, it’s not just cupboards that can benefit from a skirt. Here, another table turns into a piece of storage furniture thanks to some well-chosen fabric. In this example, the table top also features the fabric, thanks to reinforced glass.
If you want to avoid a twee look, choose a fabric that’s a) crisp, such as linen, ticking or stiff cotton, and b) understated in its design – this monochrome stripe is a no-fail option.
Elsewhere in the room, keeping to fuss-free finishes, colours and accessories will ensure the feel is modern and streamlined rather than cutesy.
Again, it’s not just cupboards that can benefit from a skirt. Here, another table turns into a piece of storage furniture thanks to some well-chosen fabric. In this example, the table top also features the fabric, thanks to reinforced glass.
If you want to avoid a twee look, choose a fabric that’s a) crisp, such as linen, ticking or stiff cotton, and b) understated in its design – this monochrome stripe is a no-fail option.
Elsewhere in the room, keeping to fuss-free finishes, colours and accessories will ensure the feel is modern and streamlined rather than cutesy.
Twin with super-modern kitchen cabinetry
On paper, this combination of contemporary units, orange butler sink and hot pink details (including cupboard skirts) shouldn’t work.
In reality, the texture created by the folds of the skirts is a pleasing contrast to the flat-fronted kitchen furniture.
The splashes of pink and attractively clashing orange, meanwhile, add much-needed warmth to an otherwise minimal colour scheme.
Read reviews of kitchen designers and fitters in your area
On paper, this combination of contemporary units, orange butler sink and hot pink details (including cupboard skirts) shouldn’t work.
In reality, the texture created by the folds of the skirts is a pleasing contrast to the flat-fronted kitchen furniture.
The splashes of pink and attractively clashing orange, meanwhile, add much-needed warmth to an otherwise minimal colour scheme.
Read reviews of kitchen designers and fitters in your area
Boost rustic charm
This Tuscan kitchen has a head start with the wonderful rustic window and beams. The homeowners have built on the style with wicker storage baskets, chunky wooden chairs and stone flooring.
The rough-linen, loosely hung cupboard skirt under the sink is another touch that helps to layer the country style.
Note here how the curtain is hung a little differently – no fancy pleating, just simple loops over a curtain rod. Little café curtain rings with clips would be another way to go for this level of relaxed charm.
This Tuscan kitchen has a head start with the wonderful rustic window and beams. The homeowners have built on the style with wicker storage baskets, chunky wooden chairs and stone flooring.
The rough-linen, loosely hung cupboard skirt under the sink is another touch that helps to layer the country style.
Note here how the curtain is hung a little differently – no fancy pleating, just simple loops over a curtain rod. Little café curtain rings with clips would be another way to go for this level of relaxed charm.
Add to a vintage mood
The vintage room is the natural home of the cupboard skirt. How to veer from twee towards tasteful? Pick a fabric with a large-scale motif over tiny florals, and stick to dark colours rather than soft pastels.
For the record, plain fabrics won’t work nearly as well as patterned in a room of this style – detail is a must-have to tie in with other vintage accessories.
The vintage room is the natural home of the cupboard skirt. How to veer from twee towards tasteful? Pick a fabric with a large-scale motif over tiny florals, and stick to dark colours rather than soft pastels.
For the record, plain fabrics won’t work nearly as well as patterned in a room of this style – detail is a must-have to tie in with other vintage accessories.
Dial down the decoration for a subtle effect
These bathroom skirts could be twee, but three minor details pull them right back from the edge.
Firstly, they’re in a muted fabric that complements, but (importantly) doesn’t match, the pelmet above.
Secondly, the skirts aren’t overly full, so their effect is subtle not standout.
Finally, the rest of the room is subtly decorated, which means everything, including the skirts, blends beautifully.
These bathroom skirts could be twee, but three minor details pull them right back from the edge.
Firstly, they’re in a muted fabric that complements, but (importantly) doesn’t match, the pelmet above.
Secondly, the skirts aren’t overly full, so their effect is subtle not standout.
Finally, the rest of the room is subtly decorated, which means everything, including the skirts, blends beautifully.
Swerve pleats for a fuss-free finish
Going for a contemporary rustic look that verges on the industrial? This kitchen does it in style, from the mismatched, painted pieces mingling with wooden cabinetry, and the wrought-iron fittings alongside a gleaming modern tap.
But it’s the elegant, flat cupboard skirt in embroidered vintage linen that catches the eye – and softens the scheme.
Going for a contemporary rustic look that verges on the industrial? This kitchen does it in style, from the mismatched, painted pieces mingling with wooden cabinetry, and the wrought-iron fittings alongside a gleaming modern tap.
But it’s the elegant, flat cupboard skirt in embroidered vintage linen that catches the eye – and softens the scheme.
Give it a playful twist
Part hula skirt, part kitsch cupboard cover, this grass curtain makes a playful addition to a colourful kitchen.
Going for this look? Match it with 1950s-style finds and designs, and bear in mind that it’ll be tricky to wipe down and is almost certainly flammable…
Tell us…
Do you have – or would you now consider using – fabric to front your cupboards or enclose your tables? We’d love to see photos! The Comments section is all yours.
Part hula skirt, part kitsch cupboard cover, this grass curtain makes a playful addition to a colourful kitchen.
Going for this look? Match it with 1950s-style finds and designs, and bear in mind that it’ll be tricky to wipe down and is almost certainly flammable…
Tell us…
Do you have – or would you now consider using – fabric to front your cupboards or enclose your tables? We’d love to see photos! The Comments section is all yours.
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Modern coastal rooms have ditched the blue and white stripes for a subtler, more muted style, which makes them perfect for an understated cupboard skirt (or two).
The key to success? Choose a fabric that blends with the scheme rather than stands out – and stay away from marine motifs. You can’t go far wrong in this context with sandy-hued neutrals.