Kitchen Curtains – Finding The Style To Fit Your Needs

The kitchen window is probably the most used window in any house. Opened to add fresh air during cooking and often a focal point of the dining area regardless of whether the kitchen is being used, this window is a visual center piece of many a home. The quickest, least expensive and most impressive way to add a new look to your kitchen is to change or add some curtains.

Types

The most common types of kitchen curtain are the voile curtains, roman blinds or café style curtains. Kitchen windows may be smaller than other windows and are usually around a work area that can get messy and cluttered. Thus longer curtains that would have to be constantly tied back are not practical.

Café Curtain

A café curtain is hung over the bottom half of the window with a bar giving privacy while allowing light to shine through the uncovered top half of the window. A top valance is often included but does not normally hang over the top part of the window. The valance can be adjusted though to cover the window completely.

Roman Blinds

The roman blind is a popular style in curtains and is a favorite of decorators. While suitable in any room it is often used in the kitchen because of how easy it is to raise and lower the shade while still allowing it to retain its elegant style. Designed in a style that allows you to raise the shade from the bottom (like other shades) or from the top. Lowering the shade from the top gives one the ability to let light in without having glare detract from the room.

The Voile curtain

The voile curtain is identified by its very sheer material. It is very light and easily moved, though strong enough that it can be embroidered. This type of kitchen curtain gives the room a very elegant feel and is perfect for many of the more expensive kitchen designs in homes today. Like the roman blind this type of curtain can be found in any room of the house but should be hung specially so to fit the kitchen window properly.

Rods

Just as important as the curtain itself is the rod that will hold it in place. For instance, the café style kitchen curtain is going to require a spring bar as it sets half way up the window. Make sure the rod fits with the kitchen style as it too will be a focal point. A wrought iron rod may look out of place in a modern kitchen, while an old cane cut down to size may look great in a country kitchen.

Valance

The decorative top of the curtain is called the valance. Standard valances are available but many people go to craft stores and get ideas of how to design their own. This is where you can be very creative and put a unique touch on your kitchen curtain. For instance, dish towels sewn together can make a nice valance. For a more elegant feel a board mounted valance with velvet pleats may fit perfectly.

For more information about all types of curtains, visit homeandgardenwisdom.com

This entry was posted on Friday, June 25th, 2010 and is filed under Featured, Kitchens. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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