How to Choose the Right Kitchen Window Treatments
Window treatments are a vital component of the decor of any room. Color choice, material and style are the primary factors you must consider when dressing windows in your home. Window treatments for the kitchen require the added consideration of durability, since heat, cooking splatters and cooking aromas can shorten the life of your window coverings. With a bit of care, you can find window shutters, shades or curtains which will help to make your kitchen warm and inviting for many years to come. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Study your kitchen with an objective eye. What are its best features? Does it need brightening? Are there accent colors you would like to emphasize?
-
2
Evaluate your kitchen windows. Do you wish they were larger? Does the placement of the windows require special consideration when choosing window treatments -- i.e., is there a window above the stove or in the breakfast alcove where food splatters could stain fabric coverings? Which direction do the windows face? Should you consider shading bright morning or mid-afternoon sunlight? Would you rather let in all the light you can?
-
-
3
Consider your budget. Window treatments range in cost from next to nothing for imaginative uses of what you have on hand, to expensive custom-made draperies.
-
4
Measure your coverage area. For an inside mount, measure the inside length and width. For a curtain that will fit over the window frame, measure the length from the curtain rod above to two inches below the sill, then measure the width from the outside edges of the window frame sides. For a window-enlarging effect, measure the length and width of the area you want your window treatment to cover.
-
5
Keep certain considerations in mind when selecting colors. Your color choice should reflect the way in which your window treatments will enhance your kitchen decor. For more light, choose white or bright sunny hues. For shading capability, choose darker colors of fabric. If you are more focused on coordinating your window treatments with the kitchen color scheme, consider bringing out accent colors rather than reflecting dominant colors so that your windows both blend in with the scheme and stand out with an attractive contrast.
-
6
Choose appropriate materials. For installations in cooking or eating areas, select fabrics that are washable and durable. Consider fabrics that are treated to resist stains. If you prefer non-fabric window treatments, pick attractive yet durable materials such as urethaned wood, or plastic-coated bamboo. Choose materials that add to your design concept for the kitchen: flowing for a light, airy effect; wood for a rich, substantial feel; insulated to emphasize warmth.
-
7
Set your style. Casual? Try half-window cafe curtains on brass or wooden rods. Country? Select curtains with ruffles and tie-backs. Sleek and modern? How about pull-down shades with brushed metal hardware? Gourmet? Perhaps pleated shades in cappuccino or honey-colored louvered shutters.
-
8
Once you have put together the complete kitchen window treatment package -- size,color, materials and style -- enjoy your newly-updated kitchen. You may even find that once your window treatments are installed, you will find other elements in your kitchen that you'll want to spruce up in order to do justice to your beautiful new windows!
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Embellish your kitchen window treatments with coordinating curtain rods, rings, tie backs and trim for a completely integrated look.
Be sure than any window treatments close to the stove or other heat source are made of flame-resistant materials.
