kitchen window shades

Kitchen Window Covering Ideas

As one of the busier rooms in your home, the kitchen serves many functions. Preparing meals, foraging for snacks, gathering with family to talk about the day-the kitchen is a household hub. If your kitchen features one or more windows, you may be wondering what kind of window treatments make the most sense. Our Bloomin' Blinds consultants have some suggestions.

What Are the Best Window Treatments for Kitchens?

When deciding what type of window treatment will work best for your kitchen window or windows, first consider the window placement. Is it over the sink, near the stove, or above an area used primarily for food preparation? When buying window treatments for a kitchen window over a sink, you may want to opt for something water-resistant, warp-proof, and easy to clean, like vinyl roller shades, faux wood blinds, or solar shades. If your top priority is customizable design, roman shades and woven wood shades also make excellent kitchen window treatments.

Ultimately, the best window treatment for your kitchen will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Let's look at some of the features and benefits to five popular kitchen window treatments.

Roman Shades

kitchen window curtains

Roman shades feature fabric panels that pleat as they're raised, creating a soft, gathered look. They are an excellent choice if you love the look of drapery or curtains but want the functionality of shades. Roman shades are available in a wide range of fabrics, from heavy, rich-looking textiles to breezy fabric that delivers semi-sheer coverage. Roman shades can be an especially fun way to add a pop of personality or color to an otherwise neutral kitchen.

Be aware, though, that it may not be as easy to clean roman shades as other options on this list. This is especially relevant if you're planning to install them near the stove or over the sink where grease or other stains are likely.

Solar Shades

kitchen window treatments

If your kitchen window receives lots of direct sunlight, solar shades may be an ideal option to use as kitchen shades. This specific type of roller shade is constructed from a woven, screen-like mesh designed to filter out harsh UV rays and keep your home cooler while preserving your view. Solar shades come in varying degrees of "openness," which indicate the percentage of UV rays that can pass through-for example, 7 percent openness means that 93 percent of UVA and UVB rays are blocked. White or light-colored solar shades provide slightly more energy efficiency and may coordinate better with kitchen décor; however, dark-colored solar shades are better at reducing glare and are often easier on the eyes. Solar shades are also perfect shades for a kitchen window over a sink as they clean easily with a dry cloth.

Solar shades offer plenty of privacy when the sun is out, but they become virtually transparent after dark when the lights come on inside. If privacy is a concern-for instance, if your kitchen faces the street or your neighbor's house-you may want to add curtains for nighttime or choose a different option.

Woven Wood Kitchen Shades

Woven Wood Shades in the Kitchen

Add visual interest and texture with woven wood shades. These shades are constructed from natural materials like grass, bamboo, and reeds, making them exceptionally durable against sunlight. The natural fibers make them ideal kitchen shades since they create a nice contrast with the stainless steel and other metals found in kitchen appliances. Use them alone for unique light-filtering effects or add a room-darkening liner to them for extra light control and privacy. Like roman shades, woven wood shades are a bit more difficult to clean than other options, so keep that in mind when choosing kitchen window treatments.

Roller Shades

kitchen shades

Roller shades have an unfair reputation as boring, when they are actually a sleek, budget-friendly choice with clean lines and a range of customization options. Vinyl roller shades are well-suited to the kitchen thanks to their easy care and upkeep, but roller shades also come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textiles ranging from sheer or semi-sheer to fully opaque and everything in between. Opt for a roller shade that operates using a spring mechanism to eliminate dangling cords that could pose a danger in the kitchen.

Faux Wood Blinds

With so many styles, it can be tough to find the best kitchen window blinds. Easy-to-clean faux wood blinds add the classic, polished look of real wood without the expense or delicate nature. Faux wood blinds are very durable, since they are moisture-resistant and heat-resistant. This makes them ideal blinds for kitchen window over a sink, where they can be exposed to steam, splatters, or spills without sustaining permanent damage-just wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth. Other common kitchen window treatments include blinds for large kitchen windows. Because blinds can tend to get quite heavy when used for large windows, customers often choose shades or curtains for large kitchen windows.

What are the Best Window Treatments to Install Over the Sink?

For many kitchens, the ideal option for over the sink is faux wood blinds because they are highly-durable and can handle exposure to both water and heat. Solar shades are great second option because they can be cleaned easily and provide UV protection for direct sunlight from the east or west.

What Kitchen Window Treatments Are Easiest to Clean?

For messy or heavily-used kitchens, the best kitchen window blinds might be the ones that are easiest to clean. Vinyl roller shades are a great option because they can be cleaned simply by wiping them down with warm water and soap. Faux or aluminum blinds are made from materials that can be easily washed. Having fewer and larger slats makes faux wood shutters relatively quick to clean as well. The most difficult treatments to clean are roman shades and then woven wood or bamboo shades coming in second.

What Window Coverings Can Give My Kitchen a Modern Flair?

A modern aesthetic can mean many things, but often refers to a look that is simple, clean, and open with an occasional strong statement accenting the look. For simplicity, consider simple sheer or semi-sheer shades or classic white blinds or shutters. For a natural feel, you may want to explore bamboo or grass shades. For a stronger statement, you can try roman shades with a patterned design or a uniquely colored accent. Lastly, if lighting is important, try half-covered windows with shutters or curtains to keep your space bright while maintaining some privacy.

What Window Coverings Are Best for a Smaller Kitchen?

A small kitchen can benefit from light colors and sheer fabrics to bring in light and make the space feel larger. You may want to consider hanging a valence to add some personality where space is limited. Woven wood shades are another popular choice for their natural and warm appeal.

Choose Bloomin' Blinds for Kitchen Window Treatments

Ready to get started designing the kitchen window blinds of your dreams? Bloomin' Blinds offers free, no-obligation consultations-either virtually or in your home-to guide you through the selection process. We provide suggestions or advice when you want it on custom shades, blinds, shutters, and more. We facilitate ordering and professional installation. Get in touch today!

Karen

About the Author: Karen McGuffin, Bloomin' Blinds

Karen is the original founder of Bloomin' Blinds. She has nearly 30 years of experience in the window treatment industry and is an expert in window covering sales, installations, and repair. In her free time, Karen enjoys traveling, volunteering at the local food bank, being an active in the chamber of commerce, and "cruising" through her neighborhood in her little blue and white polka-dotted golf cart she calls a buggy.

Best Window Treatments for Kitchens

Kitchen Window Covering Ideas

What Are the Best Window Treatments for Kitchens?

Roman Shades

Solar Shades

Woven Wood Kitchen Shades

Roller Shades

Faux Wood Blinds

What are the Best Window Treatments to Install Over the Sink?

What Kitchen Window Treatments Are Easiest to Clean?

What Window Coverings Can Give My Kitchen a Modern Flair?

What Window Coverings Are Best for a Smaller Kitchen?

Choose Bloomin' Blinds for Kitchen Window Treatments

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