Window Coverings for Kitchens

When it comes to the best kitchen window coverings, there are three different types of window treatments to choose from depending on the type of environment that you would like your kitchen to be. Solid window treatments are easy to clean should they be hit with slops or spills. Their slatted openings offer a good way to customize the desired level of lighting in your kitchen. However, they do tend to attract more dust than some of the fabric window coverings that hang vertically in one or two sheets. These simple and functional fabric window treatments are affordable, low maintenance, and easy to use. They do however lack the visual flair of the third category of kitchen window treatments, which are the more decorative fabric window coverings. These will make you kitchen look great and help you take full advantage of any view you have out your window. Here, we examine these three categories of window treatments and the specific types of window coverings contained within to help you find the perfect match for your kitchen.

Solid & Stunning

Faux Wood Blinds

If your windows are placed such that splashes and spills are likely to reach them, faux wood blinds are an excellent choice for your kitchen window treatments, as they can be easily wiped down to get them looking as good as new again. Faux wood does not stain easily and can handle the higher levels of moisture that are often present in kitchens without a problem. Due to their slatted construction, blinds can be pulled down to provide some privacy and sun protection while remaining open enough for you to look out. This level of control over how and how much your window treatments cover your windows is a major asset of faux wood blinds. Faux wood blinds are also a relatively affordable option, so you won’t have to break the bank to add new blinds to your kitchen.

PVC Shutters

Shutters incorporate many of the advantages of blinds into a more luxurious package that looks stunning and offers the best durability of any standard window treatment. PVC shutters resist moisture and are easy to wipe down if they are splashed during the food preparation process. Their louver blades offer the same type of partial window coverage that blind slats do. They are a considerably more expensive option, but that extra cost does bring several key benefits with it. In terms of durability, PVC shutters are the best and most reliable product on the market, with a lifetime warranty of 25 years. PVC shutters also offer great insulation, as they are much thicker than most window coverings and are made from solid materials. Shutters are also a highly aesthetically appealing choice, as they have a classic look to them that will brighten up your space and make it stand out as impressive.

Functional Fabrics

Roller Shades

The most popular type of window treatment in North America today, roller shades are highly versatile and will work well in a kitchen environment. Their minimalistic design is unobtrusive, easy to clean, and doesn’t collect much dust or debris in the first place. While fabric roller shades can be easily wiped down in the case of spills and slops, they are not as resistant to stains as solid window coverings made of faux wood or PVC. They are also lack the flexibility in window coverage provided by slatted window treatments. In terms of affordability, however, roller shades are the best option. Plus, they’re versatile enough to be installed everywhere throughout a house, which helps to create a cohesive, uniform look to the building.

Solar Shades

Solar shades operate a lot like roller shades, but with the difference that you can see through them to enjoy the view outside. Who doesn’t want to be able to look out onto a beautiful view as they work in their kitchen? Solar shades aren’t just an open window though, as they block out harsh glare that would otherwise become an annoyance when you work, socialize, or relax in your kitchen. They also do a great job of protecting you and your belongings from the harms of UV rays, providing up to 99% UV protection. They help to create an environment of calm, ambient light that is very pleasant to work in. Solar shades can also be layered with opaque roller shades to provide a ‘best-of-both-worlds’ experience, with full privacy and light blockage when you need it, and simple glare and UV protection for the rest of the time.

Dual Shades

Dual shades offer a different way of combining the benefits of solar shades and roller shades. The alternating bands of opaque and sheer fabric can be lined up to act as a solar shade with some opaque fabric mixed in for greater privacy, or as a fully opaque barrier like a room darkening shade. The distinctive zebra-stripe pattern of dual shades can also provide a touch of elegance if the right fabric is selected.

Decorative & Delightful

Roman Shades

If you’re looking to create a beautiful kitchen, it’s hard to go wrong with custom roman shades. These shades perfectly accent kitchen windows with their decorative folds, which are displayed even when the shades are fully raised. This means that when you select your perfect fabric for a roman shade, there’s never a moment where that investment is going to waste. If you plan to have your window unobstructed most of the time to take full advantage of the view and natural light, roman shades still bring something to the table during this time. Plus, having a more interesting fabric will pay dividends when they are lowered for privacy as well. Roman shades are more vulnerable to staining than other options, so they are best kept away from areas where significant splattering is likely to occur. However, many kitchen windows are far enough away from the stove and other high-risk areas that roman shades become a very workable option. Aesthetically, roman shades are a perfect fit for a kitchen, so if they can perform the functions you desire out of your window coverings, they are a great choice.

Horizontal Sheers

Horizontal sheers combine the glare reduction option provided by solar shades with the angled light barriers of horizontal blinds that allow you to customize the level of light entering your kitchen. As such, they are among the most versatile window treatments when it comes to determining the level and type of light and vision that you would prefer to be able to pass through your window coverings. Their light and airy aesthetic makes for a beautiful addition to a kitchen environment. The one potential problem with horizontal sheers is that they are significantly more difficult to clean and require more maintenance than most other products.

Natural Shades

The final option to consider are natural shades, which replace the fabric used in other shades with woven wood made from bamboo, jute, or grasses. Depending on the colour and texture of the weave you select, natural shades can offer everything from rustic charm to refined elegance. They are far more versatile than one might expect and make a great visual complement to most kitchens. The woven wood can be a bit more work to clean than some fabrics, but they are far from being a high-maintenance product. High levels of moisture can wear them down over time though, so you may want to select a different product if your kitchen sees high levels of steam on a regular basis.