Tips For Choosing Kitchen Window Treatments
Posted on: 17 July 2016
A kitchen window can be a welcome addition, since it allows plenty of light into the room. Often, these windows are placed over the sink so they don't interfere with cabinet placement. Finding the right window treatment requires some thoughtful planning. The following tips can help.
Tip #1: Skip the curtains
Although the idea of pretty curtains fluttering in the breeze may seem attractive and quaint, it can be a real hassle when you are actually working at the sink. It also makes it more likely that food or water will splash up and stain the curtains. If you want the look of fabric, skip the curtains and opt for fabric roman shades instead. These provide the texture, but without the fluttering.
Tip #2: Choose the cord
Not all window treatments come corded. If you skip the curtains, the other main option that may not have a cord is roller shades. The problem with these is that you will have to pull on them with your hands to open them. If you happen to be washing dishes or cooking, you are more likely to get the shades dirty. Instead, opt for treatments that have a wand or a cord to open them. This includes blinds, roman blinds, and louvres. If a cord is used, make sure it is anchored to the wall so it doesn't dangle down into the sink.
Tip #3: Go washable
No matter what style you choose, make sure it is washable. You may try to be careful, but water will splash, food will splatter, and some grease will get into the air to settle on the window treatment. Vinyl blinds and louvres are the most cleanable. These usually come in white or wood styles. Skip wood, since moisture and steam from the sink could warp it or ruin the finish. Metal mini-blinds are also an option, although not very attractive. If you prefer a pop of color, fabric roman shades are a good option. Just make sure they have been treated with a stain resistant spray so they can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth.
Tip #4: Tie in the look
Kitchen styles vary greatly. For many, the kitchen is a fairly neutral blank slate that allows for décor color changes on a whim. If this is the case in your kitchen, especially if you take advantage of it by switching out towel and rug colors seasonally, then opt for neutral window treatments. The aforementioned blinds and louvres in a finish that matches or cabinets or trim work well. Other kitchens, though, have built-in accent colors – perhaps the way of backsplash tiling or flooring accents. In this case, you can still go with the neutral treatments or you can opt for shades that contain the accent color. Or, go bold by opting for shades that are completely in the accent color.
Talk to a company like Sav-Mor Upholstery for more help.
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