A kitchen with windows facing east or south, especially in the summer, is not the most pleasant place to cook. The room warms up quickly, and too bright light can tire the eyes. Combined with the heat from the stove, the conditions are quite uncomfortable.
The logical solution is to close the window opening. However, here you need to act wisely. Curtains look beautiful, but can quickly become saturated with odors, which means they require frequent washing. The optimal solution is blinds.
Pros and cons of using blinds in the kitchen
How do blinds differ from regular roller blinds and why do many people prefer to use them in the kitchen? Let's figure it out.
The advantages of blinds include:
- Possibility of adjusting the level of kitchen lighting with daylight. By turning the handle, you can set the desired tilt of the blinds, either slightly dimming the light or completely closing the window.
- Another point follows from the first point - blinds prevent direct sunlight from hitting the walls and facades of the set, preventing them from fading.
- Unlike curtains, blinds are easy to select directly to the size of the window opening. They do not take up much space, which is especially important for small kitchens.
- Wide selection of colors, materials and even decor. Modern blinds are easy to match to any interior design.
- Dirt can be easily removed with a simple damp cloth or, for roller blinds, with a mild detergent.
- Blinds do not absorb grease and odors.
The disadvantages include:
- The relative difficulty of choosing blinds for classic interiors.
- If the rotating mechanism is made poorly, such blinds will not last long.
- If the window is located directly next to the stove, it is better to raise the blinds to avoid the formation of soot on them.
- Plastic blinds may melt when heated.
However, the disadvantages, for the most part, concern only inexpensive blinds - high-quality ones cost accordingly, but have heat-resistant properties and high strength of all elements.
Recommendations for decorating a kitchen window
The selection of products depends on the area and style of the room:
- For a small kitchen, white or beige blinds are suitable; they do not attract attention and reflect sunlight. In large kitchens you can use both light and dark shades.
- To visually raise the ceiling, vertical structures are selected.
- To expand the space - horizontal slats.
- Various types of blinds suit almost any kitchen interior. Laconic plastic models are appropriate in modern styles, and blinds made of wood or fabric are appropriate in rustic and eco-styles.
See also how curtains look in the kitchen.
Varieties
You can find many types of blinds in hardware stores. Let's take a closer look at how they differ.
Horizontal blinds, familiar to many , are one of the oldest models. Plastic or wooden slats fit tightly to each other when closed, perfectly transmitting sunlight when open.
Vertical blinds with wide panels are notable not only for their appearance. They look impressive on any scale, so they are often used to close a floor-to-ceiling window or balcony door.
Accordion pleated blinds
Roller blinds are more like regular curtains. They are made of dense material that, when closed, rolls into a compact roll.
Is the kitchen located in a private house or attic? Consider custom loft blinds. They can be installed at any angle without fear of sagging.
Inter-frame blinds are useful for those who have double-layer wooden windows. They do not take up space in the kitchen, while reliably protecting it from excess sunlight.
Multi-texture blinds consist of several layers, providing the illusion of a voluminous curtain. They are ideal for classic interiors and look very unusual.
Many people mistakenly confuse Roman blinds with blinds. There really is something in common - when folded, they form symmetrical folds. However, this is not the best choice for the kitchen - the fabric can absorb odors from cooking food.
Which ones to buy? The choice is yours! Evaluate not only the convenience of the design, but also the appearance - the blinds should fit into the overall interior.
Vertical
The most commonly offered fabric vertical blinds. They provide for a vertical arrangement of lamellas. This is precisely why this name was chosen.
What is good about this type:
- Variety of designs - in addition to plain lamellas, you can choose more interesting solutions. For example, the shade of the slats may be different. In this case, the colors will alternate. Multi-textured blinds will delight you with their magnificent appearance.
- Easy to care for – materials that can repel dust are used for manufacturing. Thanks to this, they become much less polluted.
- Simple operation - blinds are easy to open and close.
- An interesting visual effect - due to the vertical arrangement of the slats, the ceiling appears higher.
This type also attracts many buyers due to its advantages.
Materials
In addition to the shape, blinds can be divided according to the material they are made of. Let's look at the most popular options.
The most famous of them is plastic. Most companies now use polyvinyl chloride. This is a hygienic, easy-to-care material that is resistant to dust and dirt. However, it does not tolerate temperature changes well, so there is no need to hang it directly next to the stove.
Designer's trick! Now so-called tulle blinds have appeared on sale. Plastic slats are wrapped in transparent tulle, which makes them look like regular curtains. However, keep in mind that tulle can absorb odors and need frequent cleaning, so this choice is justified if the window is located far from the work area.
Wooden blinds are made from light but durable species: linden, cork. Bamboo is very popular. Wood is environmentally friendly and durable, does not require complex maintenance. The disadvantages include the high price and, in the absence of impregnation, a fire hazard. In addition, bamboo blinds are easy to damage - they are quite fragile.
Fabric blinds are inexpensive, they are hygienic and beautiful. True, washing them is not very convenient, which is a significant drawback for the kitchen. For the kitchen, we recommend choosing jacquard blinds - thick polyester with relief patterns. It is less fire hazardous and has good sun protection properties.
A good option for a kitchen window is metal blinds. Aluminum and duralumin alloys are additionally coated with heat-resistant enamels. This provides them with high fire safety.
In addition, they are easy to care for, hygienic, resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. True, there are some drawbacks - if there is a draft in the kitchen, the slats make quite a loud noise.
Multi-texture blinds can combine several materials. However, they are quite expensive.
Rolled
In essence, these are not blinds, but curtains - they do not have slats, and the window is covered with a fabric sheet, which is rolled up using a closed lifting system.
However, many classify them specifically in this category - due to the lifting system. Therefore, we bring to your attention a couple of beautiful window design options using them.
The easiest way to decorate is with plain curtains. It will suit both a window in a small kitchen and a spacious bay window. Choose the color so that it harmonizes with the overall interior.
Bright prints will help break up the monochromatic kitchen design. The main thing here is not to overdo it - drawings in flashy colors are unlikely to please you for long. Most likely, after a couple of days they will cause irritation and you will have to spend money on new curtains.
You can combine them with curtains of similar style. Here, too, you will have to exercise reasonable caution and not forget about harmony. But you will have to refuse gabardines - if they get into the lifting mechanism, there is a risk of breaking the roller blinds.
Translucent curtains look great in bright kitchens. They visually enlarge the space and make it more voluminous. True, a mono-textured fabric will not work here - vertical or horizontal stripes will be much more appropriate.
Interesting idea: This texture would be appropriate in a loft-style kitchen. If you like it, but want to deviate a little from the usual metal-concrete-brick trinity, try this option - a very fashionable solution in 2022.
Light penetration level
Blinds differ in throughput. Translucent blinds made of fabric or specially processed plastic are suitable for kitchens facing north or those where the windows are covered by trees.
Otherwise, they will not be very reliable protection against excess light. For rooms with windows facing south or east, we recommend choosing thick blinds made of metal or wood. These blinds completely block out the light, providing a comfortable working environment in the kitchen.
Pop art and art deco
An excellent solution would be straight models made of fabric, or horizontal plastic blinds for the kitchen with highlighted images or photos. This style involves the use of pure, rich colors and their usual combinations, for example, white and black.
As it turns out, a kitchen window can be decorated not only with curtains, but also with blinds. You can choose the shape and color of the product, taking into account individual design features, as well as your own preferences.
Types of fasteners
Blinds can be divided according to the method of fastening. The chosen method largely determines the overall appearance of the window.
Blinds are attached:
- on the wall above the window opening;
- directly onto the window frame;
- on the ceiling (a good choice for floor-length blinds);
- in the window opening (in the case of inter-frame blinds);
- on glass (most often the method is used for roller blinds).
- The choice of mounting method depends on the type of blinds you have and the planned kitchen design.
Modern Design Ideas
Blinds fit perfectly into most interiors. In the loft style, textiles are almost never used, so wooden or metal slats to protect the window will come in handy.
Thanks to the pleats, which can have any shape, arched windows will look more modern than those decorated with fabric.
The photo shows an industrial-style interior, into which wooden blinds fit perfectly.
What kind of window blinds are appropriate in a large kitchen?
Large slats will look good in a spacious room, while narrow slats will decorate a small room. Products made from natural materials fit especially well into the light Scandinavian style.
Which color to choose
The idea that blinds must be white has long been outdated. Now you can find the entire color palette on sale. Bright and pastel shades, prints, various decors - the choice is yours.
Classic white, brown or beige slats are suitable for kitchens with traditional interiors: classic, Provence, Baroque. Brighter colors, for example, red, blue, green, will decorate modern interiors.
Idea! Multi-colored blinds look good in white kitchens. Order blinds with slats in several shades that combine with each other. A calmer solution is a smooth gradient. Such blinds are expensive, but their appearance attracts attention and enlivens the interior.
Patterned blinds are another interesting design technique. You can order any print at your discretion. By the way, an important nuance - the printed coating serves as additional protection for the slats, making them stronger. True, their price is rather high. Select the color of the blinds taking into account the interior of the kitchen, guided by the general principles of color selection. In this case, your kitchen will look perfect.
Despite the fact that many people believe that roller blinds and blinds are almost the same, they have significant differences. Let's compare to decide what is more suitable for use in the kitchen - blinds or roller blinds.
The choice is yours!
Horizontal
When talking about the most common types, horizontal ones immediately come to mind. Indeed, they can be seen most often.
This trend is explained by the advantages of this type:
- Reasonable cost - the purchase does not require very large material costs.
- Ease of operation - the controls are very clear and uncomplicated. You can set the required position so that the required amount of light penetrates the room.
- Practicality - as a rule, care is not difficult.
- A variety of colors - most often the choice is white. It has already become traditional and attracts with its versatility. Despite this, you can choose many other attractive colors from the rich palette of shades on offer. This will make the blinds a stylish and bright accent in the interior.
Horizontal blinds perform well, are very comfortable and beautiful.
Blinds in the kitchen interior real photo examples
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Wavy
With wavy slats
To create a calm and peaceful atmosphere in the room, it is enough to resort to a simple method - order kitchen blinds with wavy slats, order the installation of this structure in a reputable company. Blind slats are made from low-maintenance aluminum material that has undergone special treatment.
The lamellas are highly durable, resistant to fading, look attractive and are practical. The choice of aluminum materials is truly impressive. Perforated lamellas are available in various color shades.
Pleated blinds for the kitchen
Such products are made of corrugated material, which can have different textures and densities. Polyester fabrics and polyester are mainly used. The materials are carefully treated with antistatic impregnations. They make the blinds resistant to dust, dirt and exposure to sunlight.
Pleated blinds come in plain colors and with patterns, have different designs and look modern. When assembled, the blinds form a tight fold that can be easily hidden under a thin cornice. Pleated fabrics do not weigh down the interior.
- Day Night
Choice of colors
When designing window openings for blinds, you need to take into account not only the material from which they are made, but also the texture in combination with the color scheme. Your taste preferences come to the fore, but they should not contradict the main direction of the style. For example, if your kitchen is located on the north side of the building, then it is best to give preference to warm shades (yellow, beige, cinnamon), and if on the south, then cold ones (turquoise, all shades of blue and green).
“For example, if your kitchen is located on the north side of the building, then it is best to give preference to warm shades (yellow, beige, cinnamon), and if on the south, then cold ones (turquoise, all shades of blue and green).”
If the scale of your kitchen allows your imagination to unfold, then you can safely experiment with decor in contrasting colors, which would be absolutely inappropriate in a small room. Also, do not forget that bright (fiery) colors can “whet” your appetite; pay special attention to all shades of red, yellow and orange.
It is very important that the blinds not only look harmonious with the entire interior of the kitchen, but that you and everyone in the family also like them.
You can also choose blinds based on the tonality of the furniture (there should be a perfect fusion of colors) or based on the color scheme of the walls (the tone is chosen either darker or lighter).
