Should you have blinds or curtains in your kitchen?

Kitchen curtains can give your kitchen a more homely feel – think of a cosy farmhouse cottage kitchen, or a traditional little Parisian bistro. Long gone are the days of chintzy next curtains or only having old-fashioned fabrics to pick from – curtains for kitchens now available are much more stylish and can really add a sense of personality or warmth to your kitchen. If you have a more traditional or Shaker style kitchen, curtains may well be a much better fit for your kitchen’s look and feel.

But if you’re a more practical person, kitchen blinds may be the better option, especially if the window you want to dress is near any heat source or food preparation area. In a modern kitchen, blinds will probably fit in a little easier – and if you have a spacious glass extension, even more so. The streamlined shape of kitchen blinds make them a better choice for busy areas, and they are significantly easier to clean in case they're splashed.

Whichever you decide to pick, kitchen blinds and curtains offer more options for cutting out glare on bright sunny days, as well as adding some extra privacy to your space, especially if you’re entertaining in an evening or enjoying a private dinner for date night.

In a kitchen, you’ve got lots of options for blinds – but ideally, it’s best to keep things practical. From roller blinds to venetian blinds, there are lots of versatile kitchen blind ideas that can look great in your kitchen.

Roller blinds are a smart and simple option, which can be used as a focal point with a pretty patterned fabric, but can be easily rolled up to let in plenty of light, or let down for privacy. Choose a fabric that’s waterproof and easy to wipe clean, to make sure that you’re not risking damp or discolouration from cooking near fabric.

Venetian or vertical blinds come in a variety of materials, from plastic to aluminium or wood. They offer you a bit more flexibility in terms of how much light they allow in, as well as being easy to clean or wipe down. If your kitchen has wooden accents or countertops, you may be tempted to opt for wooden blinds to match – but be aware that over time, water and damp conditions like humidity from cooking can cause damage to real wooden blinds, so it the best blinds for a kitchen tend to be harder wearing materials like faux wood kitchen blinds.

Kitchen curtains are a great option for dining areas – a heavy set of curtains will help cut down draughts and keep heat in, so your dining space can stay cosy and warm. If you're looking for curtains for kitchen windows, look for more natural or subtle window dressings, rather than brightly coloured curtains, which can really end up dominating the space. Instead, if you have a key colour palette in your kitchen, add a pop of colour with a patterned fabric or coloured tiebacks.

A smart option for a modern kitchen is to use a more natural, translucent fabric in your curtains. This looks stylish, and also won’t cut out any of the light to your kitchen during the daytime. This is really helpful if your kitchen faces out onto a street, but you don't get a lot of natural daylight – so curtains for kitchens can make the most of the natural light without sacrificing your privacy.

Whether you opt for practical kitchen blinds or pretty curtains for kitchen windows, make sure you choose the style that’s best for your kitchen, with safety and style in mind. If you’re still deciding what your dream kitchen will look like, book an appointment with our Wren kitchen experts and we can help advise you on how to make the most of your space.