Kitchen Roman Blinds: Top Ideas & Tips

Image by Milo Brown Photography

Just as you prepare a feast for the fam, your kitchen decor should be a feast for the eyes. Whether it’s you stealing a cuppa with your partner before the start of a bustling day, or your teen getting their first real baking lesson amidst the aroma of burnt cookies, flour-dusted floor, and hearty laughter - spice, sugar and style should go hand in hand in your culinary haven where some of the best dishes and memories are cooked. Therefore, overlooking the decor of your kitchen - dismissing it as a utilitarian space - is a design faux pas you certainly want to avoid!

If you’ve found us today while looking to add some flavour to your cooking space with a set of handcrafted made-to-measure roman blinds, then you - fellow decor connoisseur - are in for a treat. Because we are about to hand down the full recipe for a kitchen roman blind that offers both aesthetics and functionality in the right measure.

But at the outset, let us congratulate you for your great taste, and for choosing roman shades over the umpteen other window treatment options because roman blinds offer aesthetic richness, functional efficiency and maximum ease and safety - all at the same time. And here’s why we claim this:

• PRACTICALLY CONVENIENT LENGTH: Stopping at the sill and folding upward, roman shades offer maximum convenience for a kitchen window where spills and splatters are daily events, not rare accidents. This is even more true for windows placed right above the sink, flush with the countertop.
• ENDLESS SCOPE FOR CUSTOMISATION: Just like curtains, roman blinds leave you gazing into the infinite world of drapery fabrics where all types of patterns, colours and textures are at your disposal. Compare that to the mass-produced blinds whose colourways and pattern options can be counted on the fingers. Your creative aspirations deserve a better platform which roman blinds cater to the full.
• SPOT-ON PROPORTIONALITY: Even though an airy kitchen is everyone’s dream, many kitchen windows tend to be small. Since roman shades are sill-length treatments, they look perfectly in rhyme with the smallish proportions of the window and the desire to keep this busy space light and easy. 
• MAXIMUM SAFETY: Since fire hazards are a potential risk in kitchens, roman shades that get tucked away at the top offer more safety than curtains that billow, or brush the sill/ground. Kitchen roman blinds are relatively less exposed and should they come in contact, they are slow to respond compared to plastic and polyester blinds that will start melting even from a distance. 

Where curtains favour visual beauty and industrial blinds prioritise functionality, roman blinds marry the aesthetic potential of curtains with the practical convenience of blinds. They offer the scope to do complete justice to both aspects - aesthetics and functionality. That makes roman blinds and kitchen windows the perfect pair. But, for optimal efficiency and desired aesthetics, the ingredients and design of your roman blinds warrant some forethought. Hence, we have these styling tips to aid you along the way:

Choose Breezy Fabrics for a Light-Filled Fresh-Smelling Kitchen

Image by Sara Johnson

Kitchens are not light-shy, private spaces that need uncompromised privacy or room darkening. These are hard-working spaces that need to be airy and bright so that cooking odours are flushed out naturally and hygiene is maintained easily. Another aspect that needs consideration is how much the window dressing will be exposed to water, especially if the window is close to the hob or the sink. 

Considering these aspects, our home stylists recommend roman shades crafted from organic, lightweight, and light-welcoming fabrics. So, the choice of the wise would be to opt for loose-woven linen, lightweight cotton, or sheer roman blinds. These fabrics have low thread count and airy weave that do not block the inflow and outflow of light and air. Furthermore, they are relatively quick-drying and therefore run a lower risk of catching mould or mildew. 

Be wary of choosing dense fabrics like velvet for a kitchen as they are thick, highly insulative and difficult to maintain. Similarly, avoid 100% polyester fabrics as they are notorious for blocking air circulation and trapping odours. Also remember that pure silk retains water stains and is therefore not an instantly-suitable candidate for most kitchens. 

Pick the Right Fold Style for Your Kitchen Blinds

Image by Ashley Montgomery Design

Once you get the fabric right, the next step is to give it a suitable structure by choosing the right fold style. The White Window’s roman shades come in three styles that cater to varied tastes and needs: front-slatted plain fold, back-slatted flat fold and relaxed/European fold style. Of these, the front-slatted and back-slatted styles have straight bottom edges while the European style offers a lazy charm with its scalloped bottom edge. 

Besides the aesthetic language of the fold style, pay attention to how it will fare with your kitchen window’s dimensions and safety requirements. If you love the idea of softening your kitchen window with the curves of a European roman blind, consider whether your window is tall enough so that the scalloped edge can steer clear of potential spills and splashes on the countertop. Also, since this style requires some manual help for setting its folds in place, it is not the most practical choice if you anticipate frequent operation of your shade. On the contrary, if you plan on leaving it stationary, this aspect can be sidestepped. 

If you like a sleek finish, flat fold shades will be gratifying. And, regardless of whether your window is tall or short, their clean-lined silhouettes put them in a better position to stay untouched by splashes and splatters. 

So, depending on the aesthetic that you are after and the position and dimensions of your window, make the call and choose a fold style that is perfect for your kitchen window. Please refer to our Roman Blinds Style Guide for deeper insight. 

Select the Mounting Position that Furthers your Goal

Image by Meta Coleman

Roman blinds can be mounted inside the window’s frame or outside the window on the wall above the frame. Both positions have some unique offerings and are suitable for certain situations. Invest keen forethought when deciding the mounting position as it will determine the level of convenience. 

Inside-mounted blinds sit flush with the frame, taking no wall space, making it ideal for kitchens wrapped with shelves and counters. They are tucked away inside the window, so they will be better protected from spillage and moisture at the scene of action. Besides, their perfect-fit feature lends a very bespoke look.

Outside-mounted blinds, on the other hand, offer the freedom to take the blind as high and wide as you wish. This will make the entire window free for use and fully accessible for light and air, whereas inside-mounted shades take up some space permanently from the window even when stacked up. So, outside-mounting is ideal for very small kitchen windows.

For a deeper dig before you square down on your choice, read our blog post on Inside Mount Roman Blinds Vs. Outside Mount Roman Blinds.

Spell Bespoke with Blinds Sporting Kitchen-Specific Themes

Image by Sanderson

A kitchen that makes you feel hungry has nailed its purpose and if a thematic roman blind can contribute to that cause aesthetically, nothing like it! 

Consider taking an adventurous route of introducing culinary themes on your roman shades. This will serve as a fun moment and a happy distraction amidst the mundane tasks and daily chitchats. Besides, it will be quite an appetiser, both visually and literally. 

Take Coffee Roaster from our collection which can fetch a spontaneous chef’s kiss from any coffee lover. It invokes the rustic charm of vintage coffeehouses with its bold and playful collage of brews printed on a burlap imitation fabric. Foraged Fare is a little more graphic and homey with hand-written culinary words punctuated by hand-drawn illustrations of pots and whisks that reinforce the kitchen theme.

Such theme-centric roman blinds instantly reveal the forethought invested in dressing up the kitchen. They are an especially good way to finish the decor if your home has a light-hearted mood or exhibits a playful eclectic taste.

Facelift your Kitchen with Happy Colours & Punchy Patterns

Image by Kitchen Studio KC

If food-based graphics do not resonate with your style, consider other ways to make your kitchen more ‘tangy’ like colour-heavy plain or bold patterned roman blinds. Think of cheerful colours like yellow and orange that can add life to a sterile white kitchen with the smallest dose. Or, a celadon or turquoise that is packed with cooling energy to contrast a kitchen’s toasty temperatures. Let Sunshine Smile, Pastel Pine and Magic Smoke inspire you. 

A dash of colour or dynamic pattern is more than welcome in a hard-working kitchen’s not-so-sightly clutter of culinary appliances and tools offset only by neutral-coloured walls and cabinetry. Think of curvy patterns that can contrast the straight silhouettes of the kitchen counters. Or, patterns that speak to your decor style such as houndstooth Spring Grass in a rustic cottage kitchen, buffalo plaid Sunflower Island in a modern farmhouse, striped Cassiopee in a coastal kitchen, diminutive floral Picker Grass in a country kitchen, and modern geometric Snowcapped in a contemporary home.

Quite the contrary, if your kitchen is already looking quite busy with exposed brick walls, heavy-veined marble countertops or extreme use of open shelves, consider offering a breathing space with the timeless charm of white linen roman blinds like Drifting Snow.

Consider Faux Shades

Image by Z Design At Home

If light control and privacy are non-issues in your kitchen, but you would still want to make the window look dressed, we recommend our faux roman shade valances. Faux roman blinds look like functional roman blinds but are, in fact, stationary blinds that only fulfil an aesthetic purpose. The idea is to get the looks minus the functionality of an operation roman blind. So, you can bring in the pop of colour, the punch of pattern or the softness of fabric that you wish without committing to cover your window.

Shop Kitchen Roman Blinds - The Perfect Garnishment for an Appetising Kitchen

Image by Stelle Street Studios

Decor and cookery are not very different - you find the right ingredients, mix them in the right measurements with the right amount of spice, sprinkle the garnishments and when the dish comes out with the perfect crunch and flavour, you know you did it right. The right colour, pattern, fabric and style will make your made-to-measure roman shade the perfect topping for your scrumptious kitchen. So, browse through The White Window’s exquisite collection roman blinds online ranging cotton, linen, and sheer fabrics where plain neutrals, zesty patterns and tactile textures await your creative vision to take over. Somewhere in that treasure trove hides the kitchen blind that can serve a dash of excitement amidst the din and bustle of a cooking spree. Find it today!