Kitchens are the heart of the home. Even if you’re not a big fan of cooking, kitchens are one of the most frequently used rooms in any home. The kitchen is more than just a place to prepare food; in many households, the kitchen is also a gathering area for the entire family. With all the time that gets spent in kitchens, it’s important to make sure it’s functional, comfortable, and attractive.
Finding the right window treatments for the vinyl windows in your kitchen can make a very dramatic difference in your kitchen’s appearance. But because of all the cooking that goes on in the kitchen, there are a lot of different factors you need to keep in mind while choosing window treatments for kitchens. Of course, you need window treatments that are stylish and will help you keep light under control. But since they can get splashed with food, grease, and water, kitchen window treatments need to be durable and easy to clean. Here are a few types of window treatments which are ideal for kitchens.
Blinds
Blinds are an excellent choice for kitchens. Since they’re not made of fabric, they won’t collect grease and moisture the way curtains or fabric shades would. But since kitchens can have a lot of moisture in the air, it’s important to make sure you choose a type of blind that can handle being around water. Faux wood blinds can look very elegant but can withstand exposure to moisture better than real wood blinds can. Vinyl blinds also work well in kitchens and are budget friendly.
Solar Shades
Does your kitchen get a lot of direct sunlight? If so, solar shades might be an option worth considering. They’re a great way to control the amount of natural light your kitchen gets without completely obstructing your view. Solar shades not only block out light from the sun, they minimize the amount of heat that comes with it, too, so they may help reduce the amount of time you need to run the air conditioner.
Shutters
Shutters can make a truly beautiful addition to windows in any part of the house. There are many different styles of window shutters to choose from, but plantation shutters and cafe style shutters are some of the most popular shutter styles for kitchens. Shutters are available in many different types of materials, but for kitchens, you’ll want to avoid real wood and opt for something like engineered wood, laminate, or PVC instead. As an added benefit, window shutters can actually help improve your home’s value because they’re a permanent fixture, unlike other types of window treatments.
Roman Shades
Although fabric shades can get dingy when used in kitchens, they’re not necessarily a bad choice. Roman shades are a very popular type of window treatment for kitchens and they can really look great. Just be careful about which type of fabric you choose. If you like low maintenance options, make sure you choose shades made out of a type of fabric which can easily be thrown into the washing machine. Certain types of fabrics might require a trip to the dry cleaner, so be sure you check the label.
Bamboo Shades
Like the idea of Roman shades, but prefer the natural look of wood? Bamboo shades might be just what you’re looking for. Bamboo shades work very similarly to regular Roman shades, but they’re durable, affordable, and easy to clean. Since bamboo shades are available in many different tones, they can easily compliment many different styles of decor.
