When choosing a window covering for your kitchen, most people will prefer blinds rather than curtains as they are more practical in this busy and often steamy room. If your kitchen window is above the sink you don’t want the bottom of your curtains getting wet and dirty. If the window is near the hob you don’t want them to be a fire hazard.
So how do you choose the best type of blinds for a kitchen?
As we mentioned already, the kitchen is often a busy and sometimes a dirty place when cooking or baking so your blinds need to be easy to clean. They also need to be able to withstand warm, steamy conditions, especially if your kitchen is small.
Our top 2 recommendations for kitchens are roller blinds and Venetian blinds.
Kitchen Roller Blinds
At Forth Blinds, we believe you can’t go wrong with roller blinds in your kitchen as they are available in a wide range of materials. A roller blind made with a PVC fabric is the easiest to keep clean, however, blinds made with a polyester material will be able to handle a warm, moist environment.
If you can’t find a pattern you like in these hardwearing fabrics, another benefit of a roller blind is that you can easily change the fabric after a few years without having to buy new rollers.
We also like roller blinds because they sit neatly close to your window and won’t get in the way when cooking or washing. And of course, they can be rolled up out of the way if you wish.
If you have uPVC windows in your kitchen, the ideal solution is to buy Perfect Fit roller blinds as they fit into your window frame and won’t flap about even if you have your window open.
Kitchen Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds are always a popular choice for all rooms and they are suitable in kitchens too. We wouldn’t advise wooden Venetian blinds as they can get damaged by moisture and warp but aluminium or PVC slats will look great in your kitchen. If you really want the wood look there are Faux Wooden blinds that are fire retardant and waterproof.
Similarly to roller blinds, they are fitted close to your window so won’t get in the way while working in the kitchen. Although you can clean them, it probably takes a little longer to clean each slat but they are durable and will look great for a long time.
The benefit of a Venetian blind over a roller blind is that even when they are down, you can angle the slats to let some light in.
If you do have uPVC windows, we will recommend Perfect Fit Venetian blinds as they are attached to your window surround and won’t move even when the window is open.
Other Types of Blinds Suitable For Kitchens
Becoming more popular in recent years are Vision Blinds or day and night blinds. They have all the benefits of roller blinds but also have translucent horizontal strips so that you can have them down for privacy but the translucent strip will allow light in. This is great if you enjoy working in a bright kitchen.
Vertical blinds with PVC slats are sometimes chosen for kitchens especially when there are tall windows.
With so many materials now available that can be easily cleaned and can withstand moisture, the choice of blinds for your kitchen is huge. It is not so much the type of blind that you choose but the material you choose that makes them suitable for a kitchen.
Modern Window Shutters
Traditional shutters are made of wood so aren't a great choice for kitchens especially if the kitchen is small. The good news is that you can now buy Urban Window Shutters which are made from Polysilk Vinyl. They are 100% waterproof and flame-retardant which means they are ideal in kitchens and bathrooms. They fit neatly in your window frame and look fantastic with contemporary decor.
