Kitchen windows are important for a variety of reasons, many of which relate to the fact that kitchen windows are located in the busiest room in the house. For instance, kitchen windows allow for light to enter the kitchen in the morning, which can allow individuals to enhance the flavor of there food. In addition to the way that kitchen windows can enhance the cooking experience for an individual, the windows provide individuals with a view while they are chopping there onions, and often end up collecting grease and steam from the cooking processes in the kitchen.
Most individuals often disregard the importance of kitchen curtains when purchasing kitchen appliance or remodeling the kitchen. Additionally, individuals often purchase kitchen curtains very quickly when they are required to provide coverage for the kitchen windows. However, the proper selection of curtains for a kitchen can dramatically change the way that an individual feels within their kitchen, without having to repaint the kitchen cabinets or purchase new appliances.
Kitchen curtains must be selected with an understanding of the way that the kitchen will be used, and the tasks that will be performed within that kitchen. For instance, kitchen curtains must be able to endure the humidity in the kitchen, the heat from the cooking appliances, and potential splashes of sauce from the cooking process. The fabric, the length, the style, and the function of the curtains can explain the difference between curtains that are merely used to cover kitchen windows and kitchen curtains that are selected to enhance the lives of the individuals within the kitchen.
By understanding which elements are essential within the kitchen, individuals can narrow the options for selecting the perfect kitchen curtains. The ideas that are presented within this article relate to the various ways that individuals can enhance their kitchens with the use of curtains. The author included each idea within this article due to the way that the curtain can solve a particular problem within the kitchen, as well as to provide some visual element to the kitchen each day.
Popular Types of Kitchen Curtains to Consider
1. Café Curtains
One of the most popular types of kitchen curtains are known as café curtains. Café curtains are curtains that end at the halfway point of the kitchen window. The upper half of the curtains can remain open to allow for the entrance of light into the kitchen, as well as to allow individuals to view the backyard or the street outside of the kitchen.
The lower half of the curtains can be used to hide any cooking or kitchen clutter from the remainder of the house. Café curtains originated in the French bistro, where privacy was provided for individuals without creating the feeling of the kitchen as a dark cave. In addition to the requirement that café curtains end at the halfway point of the kitchen window, the length of the curtains should also be long enough to clear the faucets and backsplash areas of the kitchen by at least two inches.
The best type of fabric for café curtains are linen or cotton fabrics, as these types of fabrics are unlikely to develop wrinkles after being exposed to the kitchens laundering. Additionally, tension rods can be used to avoid drilling into the kitchen counter, and to allow for the easy changing of the café curtains. The major disadvantage of café curtains is that they may not be visually appropriate for very tall kitchen windows.
2. Roman Shades
However, most kitchens have windows of the appropriate height for the installation of café curtains. Roman shades are another form of curtains that are often selected for kitchens. Roman shades are popular in kitchens that feature moddern appliances and countertops.
Roman shades are different than the floppy curtains that are often seen in other areas of the home; the roman shades fold into neat pleats when the shades are raised. Because roman shades fold upward, they do not become greasy with the splashing of grease from the cooktop counters and appliances. When lowered, roman shades cover the kitchen windows completely, but maintain the tailored look that is popular in more modern kitchens.
The fabric that is used for roman shades is also important. Canvas cotton fabrics with soil-release finishes are often used. Additionally, linen-cotton blends that are pre-shrunk can be used to provide roman shades with durability over time.
Roman shades can be manually pulled with pull chains, instead of more outdated roller blinds. However, roman shades dont have the soft drape that is often associated with drapery shades. Another alternative to curtain options for kitchens is full-length drapery curtains.
3. Full-Length Drapery Curtains
Full-length drapery curtains may appear too formal for kitchens that often have bacon frying in them. However, if the drapes are made of linen or cotton fabrics, and hung on kitchen rings instead of rods, the curtains may appear relaxed within the kitchen. The curtain rod for the drapery can be mounted high and wide on the kitchen walls.
This high and wide curtain rod will allow the drapery to frame the kitchen windows without blocking the view out of the windows. The drapery panels may be pushed to the sides to allow for visibility outside of the kitchen. Full-length drapes are useful in kitchens that often open into dining and living areas of the house.
The drapery panels help to soften the sounds that travel between the kitchen and the other areas of the house. Additionally, full-length drapery curtains can be used to create a visual bridge between the kitchen and the other areas of the house. The curtain fabric should have a tight weave to allow for straight drapes within the kitchen that features high humidity.
Drape curtains that are machine-washable are also an alternative to curtains that are labeled as dry-clean-only. Additionally, if the kitchen ceiling is higher than eight feet, an individual may need to order curtains that are cut to an appropriate length; standard lengths of drapes may not fit kitchen windows. Another alternative to kitchen curtains is the use of tiered curtains.
4. Tiered Curtains
Tiered curtains are comprised of two or more short curtain panels that are hung on separate rods. The tiered curtains provide an individual with the flexibility to select open panels for different portions of the kitchen. For instance, the bottom tier of the curtains can cover the lower portion of the kitchen window.
However, the upper portion can remain open for visibility, or can be opened and closed according to the time of day. Tiered curtains are considered to be a cheerful and nostalgic option for kitchens. The flexibility provided by tiered curtains allows an individual to effectively vent the steam from pots of boiling pasta.
Additionally, if cotton gingham curtains are used, the panels of the curtains can be easily removed to wash them. Tiered curtains are popular in farmhouse and cottage kitchens; however, they may be too busy for more contemporary kitchens. Additionally, individuals should measure their kitchen windows twice before purchasing tiered kitchen curtains; the incorrect measurement of the windows can ruin the visual impact of the curtains.
5. Sheer Linen Curtains
Sheer linen curtains for kitchens may appear to be dirty easily due to the cooking activities that take place within the kitchen. However, if sheer linen kitchen curtains are treated with a stain-resistant spray, they will endure the kitchen environment. One benefit of sheer linen curtains is that they allow for sunlight to enter the kitchen without harshness.
The sunlight is diffused, and becomes a gentle glow that is useful in the dining area of the kitchen. Sheer linen curtains should be hung on rods that have center supports if the kitchen windows are wider than forty inches. This allows the sheer linen curtains to remain taut and not sag between the kitchen windows.
The loose-weave sheer linen curtains allow for the movement of air within the kitchen, which is helpful when searing meat or other foods. Additionally, sheer linen curtains will require more frequent laundering than curtains of other fabrics. However, the process is simple.
These sheer curtains can be paired with a roller blind that covers the curtains if total darkness is required within the kitchen. Bamboo shades or woven wood shades provide another alternative for those who wish to provide coverage for their kitchen windows. The natural material of the bamboo shades work well with the appliances and countertops of the kitchen.
6. Bamboo Shades
Additionally, when the kitchen curtains are rolled up, they dissapears from view, leaving the remainder of the kitchen windows for displaying herbs or other kitchen items on the windowsill. Bamboo shades are well-suited for kitchens that are often sunny and face south. Additionally, many bamboo shades include a fabric liner for the windowsills that provides additional insulation for the kitchen, which is beneficial in climates with extreme winter temperatures.
However, humidity within the kitchen is a main consideration. If the kitchen tends to be very steamy, the natural fibers of the bamboo curtains can become warped if exposed to high humidity. Therefore, bamboo shades are better suited to kitchens with good ventilation systems or that use gas ranges for their cooking appliances.
7. Valances
Valances are another alternative for those who would like to cover their windows without using heavy curtains. Valances can work on their own if the individual feels that the curtains are too much fabric for the kitchen. Valances are hung on rods at the top of the windows.
These valances can frame the windows without blocking the entry of light into the kitchen or the counter space within the kitchen. Additionally, valances allow for a better view of the backsplash or the view outside of the kitchen. Valances should be no longer than one-sixth to one-fifth of the height of the kitchen windows.
If the valances are too long, they may appear to be an afterthought within the kitchen. Curtains made of cotton duck or linen can be used to create valances. These fabrics hold a crisp fold at the tops of the valances.
If the kitchen windows face the street and street lights, many individuals prefer to include a blackout lining on the valances. The main limitation of valances is that they do not offer privacy to individuals standing at eye-level with the kitchen; they must be combined with other types of curtains if privacy is desired within the kitchen. Color and patterns for kitchen curtains is another consideration for each kitchen.
White and cream curtains are useful in kitchens that are small in size; they make the small kitchens appear larger and brighter. However, white and cream colors also reflect any dirt that accumulates on the kitchen windows. Gray and sage colors are beneficial in that they hide dirt from view.
Bold colors and patterns are an alternative to more subdued colors for those who would like to add energy to their kitchens. However, the individual should consider kitchens that are very large; bold colors may appear to dominate the kitchen space. Additionally, if the chosen pattern is comprised of small geometric shapes, it will appear as though the kitchen has solid colors from a distance, but adds visual interest to the kitchen if viewed closely.
Individuals should select kitchen curtains in colors and patterns that they personally like. The individual will view the kitchen curtains while they are performing some of the chores associated with the kitchen. Therefore, if the individual dislikes the kitchen curtains, exposure to the curtains each day will cause irritation.
There is no single answer to the question of which type of kitchen curtain is best. Each of the curtain alternatives has its benefits. For instance, if the individual requires the ability to block the lights of streetlights while they are cooking after dark, roman shades may be the best answer for the kitchen windows.
Additionally, if the windows open toward the dining area of the house, full-length drapery may be beneficial. Additionally, if the kitchen windows are relatively narrow in size, tiered curtains may be the best choice. Additionally, if the individual would like to provide a visual privacy to the residents of neighboring homes, sheer linen curtains may be best.
However, if the kitchen windows are north-facing, and are darker than other kitchen windows in the house, valances may be an excellent option for the kitchen windows. Additionally, if the individual’s sink is located beneath the kitchen windows, valances may not be to their liking. By asking these types of questions of themselves, the individual can better answer the questions of what type of curtains will be best for their kitchens.
By fulfilling the needs of their kitchens and selecting the best kitchen curtains for their kitchens, individuals can transform the kitchens into places that they would like to spend time. They can become a place where individuals would like to cook, eat, and socialize. Individuals’ experiences in their kitchens can be enhanced.
Additionally, the chore of washing the dishwasher may become a less unpleasant chore when the windows of the kitchen are dressed for the occasion.
