Should you have blinds in a kitchen?
A kitchen is the heart of the home and is often bustling with activity. While it’s great to have stylish window treatments in your kitchen, you must ensure that they are practical too. Unlike curtains, which can absorb odours and be challenging to clean, blinds are well suited to kitchens – as long as they are made from the correct materials.
How to choose blinds for your kitchen
In order to make the right decision on blinds for your kitchen, you need to understand the unique challenges of the space. Kitchen environments are prone to humidity from steam and vapours, so you don’t want blinds made from materials that are likely to go mouldy. If your kitchen windows are situated above your sink, you should choose blinds that can stand up to the occasional splash of water. Then there’s also airborne fats and oils from cooking, as well as general lingering odours to think about. Taking these factors into account, you should choose blinds that are resistant to moisture, easy to clean, and less likely to harbour odours. Materials that fit the bill include PVC, vinyl, faux wood, and aluminium – so keep these in mind when choosing your kitchen blinds.
What blinds don’t go mouldy?
In your kitchen, the risk of mould and mildew growth is heightened due to the increased humidity and moisture from cooking or washing up. Therefore, when choosing blinds for your kitchen, go for synthetic materials like PVC, vinyl, and aluminium. These materials are inherently resistant to moisture, reducing the likelihood of mould development. As an added bonus, kitchen blinds made from these materials are easier to clean!
What types of blinds are best in a kitchen?
There are a few options we recommend.
Roller blinds (made from PVC or vinyl) are an excellent choice for kitchens. Their smooth surface makes them easy to wipe down, and they are less likely to absorb moisture or odours. They also come in various patterns and colours, so there’s a roller blind to complement any kind of kitchen décor.
Vertical blinds offer great control over light and privacy. They are relatively straightforward to clean, and don’t collect dust as easily as some other blinds. However, make sure you choose the right material for your vertical blinds – stick to PVC and vinyl for easy cleaning. Avoid fabric vertical blinds!
Faux wood blinds offer the appearance of wood without the maintenance issues. We also love faux wood shutters for kitchens – okay, maybe they’re not technically blinds, but they look fantastic and are easy to clean. Window treatments made from faux wood are resistant to warping and moisture, making them a practical choice for the humid kitchen environment.
Finally, there’s venetian blinds. It’s best to choose aluminium blinds for kitchens, as they’ll be the easiest to clean. Known for their durability, these blinds are resistant to moisture and heat. They also offer excellent light control.
How do I keep my kitchen blinds clean?
When considering the maintenance of your kitchen blinds, it’s important to understand that certain types may require more frequent cleaning due to the kitchen’s environment. High humidity and moisture tends to attract and retain dirt more readily. This issue is exacerbated by cooking oils and fats present in the air, which not only attracts dirt but also makes it stick more firmly to the blinds. This creates a layer of grime – which can be quite challenging to clean!
And if you’ve ever experienced the somewhat satisfying – yet gross – feeling of wiping a clear trail through the grime on a blind, the importance of easy-clean options are clear. Slatted or louvred blinds are beautiful but can take longer to clean. You’ve got to wipe down each slat individually, both front and back. If you don’t enjoy cleaning, this can quickly become a tedious task. In contrast, roller blinds are much easier to clean. Made from a single sheet of PVC or vinyl, they can be quickly wiped down with a cloth or a sponge. Roller blinds are an ideal choice for those seeking a low-maintenance option for the kitchen.
Regular cleaning is key, regardless of the type of blind you choose. If you wipe down your blinds regularly instead of letting the grime build up, you’ll find that they’re a lot easier to clean.
What blinds should I avoid in my kitchen?
We recommend steering clear of any blinds made from fabric, as they can be prone to moisture damage and odours. This can also make them difficult to clean. Roman blinds, for example, are better suited to your living room or bedroom than your kitchen. We also don’t recommend blinds made from real wood. Although real wooden blinds are visually stunning, they are not the best choice for humid environments as they are prone to warping and even cracking.
Made to measure kitchen blinds from Littlehampton Blinds
With over 25 years of experience in the industry, our family-run business is dedicated to offering the best in made-to-measure awnings, blinds, and shutters. We specialise in stylish and practical window treatments, tailored to your specific needs.
Find out more about our range of roller, vertical, venetian and faux wood window treatments.
