Kitchen blinds are often the window dressing of choice in this busy space. Unlike curtains, blinds and shades are practical, easy to clean, they let in lots of light and they look really good. Plus, they can be a really affordable option too, making them a quick and easy way to upgrade the look of your kitchen space.
There are tons of designs to choose from but, it's not all about the best looking kitchen ideas when you're picking out blinds for such a hard-working space... You need to consider the different fabrics available, how they will cope with grease and oil splatters, moisture and heat. Luckily, fabric technology has come on leaps and bounds, with moisture-resistant coatings, light reflecting options and even insulating properties now available.
Darren Watts, Showroom Development & Design Director at Wren Kitchens says, 'As a source of natural light, windows are an extremely important element within the kitchen and blinds can really enhance the part they play in the overall design of your space.' Ready-to-fit blinds will be cheaper, but you may find that made-to-measure is your only option. For a professional finish, consider a company that will measure up and install for you as part of the price. 'Finally, it’s important to remember that the blinds you choose for your kitchen need to be moisture resistant to combat any steam generated from cooking.' Notes Watts.
1. Make a statement with a dark kitchen shade
Blinds can make or break the rest of your decor choices and
kitchen design. Don't be afraid to be a little bold to help the rest of the space pop. 'Tie in the style of your kitchen with your choice of blinds, for example a roman blind in a dark fabric such as black or deep grey can add depth and a classy touch to a white or cream kitchen.' Says Watts.
2. Refreshing pastels
Herbaceous colors work so well in a creative kitchen environment and fabric roman blinds like the above Rectory Reverse Green roman blinds from Loom & Last are one of the best types of window dressings to add more softness to a space.
3. Wooden finishes
'On the other hand, a statement faux wooden blind can be used to create a cozy atmosphere in a more traditional style kitchen and can be tilted to allow some extra light into the space in the evenings.' Adds Watts. Ideal to bring a warm glow into your environment, which will further enhance the space visually when complemented by wood countertops and other accents. 'This can be especially useful if your kitchen is north facing and lacking in natural light, or if it’s on the smaller side.'
4. Choose a designer print
While fashion often puts style over substance, when it comes to blinds, functionality has to reign supreme. Fortunately, modern technology allows for roller blinds and the best Roman blinds to boast designer looks, plus all the features you need: thermal insulation, light limiting and automated opening.
Blinds 2 Go offers a fabulous range of made-to-measure blinds, including prints designed by Orla Kiely, such as this Linear Stem Dandelion Roman blind. Choose from light filtering, blackout and thermal linings, sewn in rods, endless chain sidewinders and universal brackets suitable for top and face fittings. The fabric can also be attached with velcro, making it quick and easy to remove blinds for cleaning.
5. Add a pop of color with kitchen blinds
Plain blinds work well with both contemporary kitchens and traditional kitchen styles. Add a burst of pink to a neutral kitchen color scheme or choose a hue to complement an existing scheme to update the look. What's more, adding a bold color in something as easy to change as roller blinds means you can dare to be more adventurous with colour than you otherwise might.
English Blinds have a great selection; this Multi Lux Flamingo roller blind is waterproof, fabulously practical idea for a window next to the kitchen sink.
6. Fit motorized blinds for convenience
While a manual roller blind will generally do, for a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows, it might be worth investing in a motorized option that can raise or lower them all at the touch of a button.
The new Reflection roller blind range from Luxaflex features subtle patterns and textures, perfect for adding a tactile quality to large rooms. Suitable for humid rooms, it can be wiped clean with a sponge. There’s a wide choice of colors: shown here is Unico Bo by Luxaflex that also offers PowerView motorized blinds that can be controlled from your phone or tablet.
7. What about a non-fabric kitchen blind ideas
Venetian blinds, both practical and stylish, are usually made from wood, plastic or metal, which makes them easy to wipe down so they won't harbour germs, dirt or the usual kitchen smells. The adjustable slats provide lots of options for privacy and light control, and when not in use, you can pull them up almost out of sight, which is great if you have garden views. These aluminium Venetian blinds in teal are from Style Studio.
8. Make blinds a focal point
If you are a lover of pattern you might want to include a bold print somewhere in your kitchen, with blinds an obvious choice.
The crisp off-white units of this kitchen allow these Honesty Persimmon Roman blinds from Hillarys to take centre stage, while the mid-toned wooden stools add warmth. The blinds are made from 100 per cent polyester and can be vacuumed clean. Prices include measuring and fitting.
9. Consider a top-down style
Want to control the light or privacy levels in your kitchen? Try a top-down kitchen blind idea, which is designed to roll down from the top of the window, allowing light in from above, as well as from below.
Duette blinds have a clever ‘top-down/bottom-up’ system. The fabric is fully washable and the unique honeycomb structure insulates while absorbing noise. Another great feature is that they can be fitted within the door frame making them a great choice for bi- and tri-fold doors. There are 300 color, texture and transparency options to choose from.
10. Save money with an off-the-shelf blind
Made-to-measure blinds will fit perfectly and are easy to install, but pre-made will generally be more affordable so make great budget kitchen ideas. They can be fitted by a competent DIYer and, with a wide range available at a number of high street homeware stores, you can pick one up in the morning and have a brand new blind ready for use by the afternoon.
For a quick and easy update, Dunelm have a good selection of printed designs that are ideal if you are on a budget. This Emmott Seafoam Floral roller blind has a blackout lining to block day time glare or night time streetlights. Choose an accent color from the fabric print to paint walls with and create a cohesive look.
11. Use blinds as a starting point for your color scheme
If you aren't sure how to add color and interest to your kitchen, let the blind be the catalyst. Choose accessories in two or three key colors from the print to tie in with the rest of the kitchen scheme.
This charming bespoke Wild Birds Roman blind from Apollo Blinds really suits this cottage kitchen and is more in keeping than a roller blind.
12. Swap a beautiful print in, then out again
Love to introduce pattern and color but also change your mind regularly about how you want your kitchen to look? This Almond Blossom Blue Blackout blind on Bloc Blinds' Fabric Changer Roller Blind, meaning you can take off the old fabric and replace it with a new one. Clever.
13. Adjust the kitchen's light levels with ease
Zebra blinds have movable fabric bands in an alternating translucent and transparent material allowing you to choose how best to allow light to enter your room by fine tuning the light levels as the bands match up. Choose from a wide range of stylish fabrics to suit your kitchen.
Zebra roller blind shown in Pale Ash and featuring clip on matching pelmet in Ash (H139.5cm x W110cm), Bloc Blinds.
14. Choose blinds for bi-fold doors and French windows
The popularity of French, bi-folding and sliding doors has pushed blind manufacturers to up their game, creating ever more innovative blind solutions – including those that fit into the door frames themselves, or ones that roll from the top downwards instead of from the bottom up to let in extra light – or to provide shade where needed.
Door window treatment ideas are some of the hardest to get right. So consider the effect you want to create – the more material used, such as in Roman blinds, the more traditional the room will feel; the more streamlined (think Venetian or roller blinds), the more contemporary the finish.