What makes the best kitchen window treatments?

Every kitchen window has very specific requirements and needs, especially if it is located over a kitchen sink. In terms of practicality, you'll want functional window treatments that maintain privacy, keep a lot of natural light (but have light control to block light when needed), are durable or water resistant, are heat resistant (especially if located near a stove), and finally that are considered child proof blinds. The kitchen window treatment should have hard surfaces that can be wiped down.

Are faux wood blinds or faux wood shutters good for the kitchen?

Yes! Some excellent options for your kitchen are faux wood blinds, faux wood shutters, and aluminum blinds. When choosing a fabric roller shade, you should go for a vinyl option instead. Vinyl roller shades are water resistant and easy to clean and make for great kitchen window treatments. On the other had, soft fabric roller shades or other types of shades like cellular shades and roman shades are not recommended as the material can easily stain, hold odors, and be hard to clean. Similarly, woven wood shades or roman shades aren't ideal in places that are easily splashed by water. Lastly, real wood blinds are not as effective compared to faux wood blinds as the real wood material can warp over time from exposure to moisture, so choose faux wood for your kitchen blinds.

What style, fabrics, or patterns work best for the kitchen?

In terms of aesthetics, your kitchen window treatment can take on a number of styles from traditional to classic to even modern blinds styles. Since the kitchen is one of the most social spaces in the home, however, you'll generally want a window treatment that is bright and fun, that lets in the sun during the day to keep the room airy when you cook, while providing privacy at night.

Here are some tips for choosing the right window treatment. If you are looking to cover sliding doors, or a single window that is far away from the kitchen sink, you can be a little bit more liberal with your choices of window treatments and choose a pattern or texture that is more striking and eye-catching. If you are decorating or installing a window treatment above the kitchen sink or near the stove, you should be a bit more strict with making sure you choose the right materials however. When you install your blinds, they should ideally be an inside mount so that they stay out of the way when you are cooking, and keep the clutter in the room to a minimum. Lastly, consider choosing cordless blinds for areas with high traffic or where you need to eliminate dangling cords for reduced clutter and added safety.