vl Kitchen Curtains

Archive for the ‘Choosing Help’ Category

When changing or updating your kitchen curtains you should have several important pieces of information ready.

If you are contemplating changing the look of your kitchen, one of the fastest and least expensive ways to do this is by changing your curtains. By simply choosing new curtains for your kitchen windows, you’ll be able to give your kitchen a completely new look and create a whole new atmosphere. However, making sure that you select the right color, design, and texture can be confusing to many. The following will help you to decide which curtains are right for your kitchen.

Color
The first thing you’ll want to do is to find a color that matches your kitchen. For example, if you have blue countertops, you can choose a blue shade, white, or cream. If you have blue countertops, but have tiles with maroon in them, you could choose a maroon or cranberry shade for your curtains. The key is to find the color you wish to highlight. The main thing to remember when choosing the color is to not pick a dark shade for your curtains. You’ll want your kitchen to be light and airy, not dark and dreary. You may want to test the color in your kitchen by placing the curtain over your window in bright sunshine. This will cause your kitchen to turn the color coming off from the curtains. Choose one that creates the
atmosphere you are going for.

Design
The style you choose should match the theme of your kitchen. If you have a country kitchen, you will not want to choose a sleek art-deco type curtain. You’ll instead want to choose something with a pattern that matches your theme or even old country-lace to enhance the country charm. Tier curtains and swag curtains work well for kitchen curtains, just make sure you pick a design and color that go well with the theme.

Fabric
The fabric you choose for your kitchen curtains should be a lightweight material. Anything that is heavy or weighted down will only make your kitchen seem dreary. You’ll also want to make sure the fabric is washable, as well. As your kitchen is used to cook, often there are particles floating in the air, such as grease and smoke, that will make it necessary
to wash them often. Choosing a lighter-weight fabric will allow for this.

Size
Choosing the right size curtains for your kitchen windows is important. If you get them too big, your window will look too small. If you get them too small, your window will look off. Make sure the curtains you pick out for your window do not hang down more than four-inches below the bottom of the window and do not get them too wide or they will bunch and the look you are trying to create will fail.

The curtains in your kitchen get a harder workout than any of the other curtains throughout your home.

Smoke from scorched foods, grease splatters, fish odors, dirt and more. It is for this reason that you need to choose the fabrics that can withstand these demands when choosing curtains for use in your kitchen.

You need to be certain that the fabric the kitchen curtains you have chosen are made of materials that are strong enough for the workout they will be getting in your kitchen. The best curtains to choose for use in the kitchen are those made of materials that are: easy-care, stain-resistant, and machine or hand-washable.

Curtains made with cotton and linen fabrics are the best choices for use in the kitchen because these can be thrown into the washer whenever they need a good cleaning. These fabrics are also less inclined to become wrinkled when tumbled dried on low-heat in the dryer or line-dried on a clothesline. If they do show a couple of wrinkles, these can be easily erased with a quick run over of them with an iron. Some people fear that putting curtains in the washer will destroy them. But today’s curtains are made to retain their shape even through washings.

It isn’t a good idea to choose fragile fabrics for use as kitchen curtains. Silky and lacy fabrics may look stunning in a window, but they don’t fare when washing them. And the curtains in your kitchen will become soiled and need more frequent washing than any of the other curtains you have in your home. Save these beautiful curtains for use in another room in
your house.

Fabric isn’t the only option in kitchen curtains either. Plastic or metal shades or blinds are suitable for use in the kitchen. Curtains made using these materials can be easily cleaned with a damp sponge, or removed and taken outdoors to be washed with a garden hose when they get really dirty.

Curtains today, including those for use in the kitchen come in spectacular designs and styles to match almost anyone’s personal taste. Look through magazines featuring home improvement or decorating tips to get ideas on the styles of kitchen curtains that are available. Then you can search for these at department stores and even online once you have an idea of the style of curtains you would like to have in your kitchen.

While the curtains may be the focus of your kitchen windows, the rod is one detail that should not be overlooked when choosing fabric for your curtains.

Your kitchen says so much about you. It can speak to your hobbies, your tastes and your lifestyle. From the overall look and feel of your kitchen to hidden details, everything in your kitchen speaks volumes to your visitors.

While the curtains may be the focus of your kitchen windows, the rod is one detail that should not be overlooked when choosing fabric for your curtains. The proper curtain rod could add style and sophistication to your kitchen if chosen properly.

Café – simple white or beige top tab curtains look great hanging from gold, silver, chrome or nickel plated rods that are thin and very plain. Contemporary or Modern – modern kitchens, with stainless steel throughout, call for a chrome or silver colored kitchen rod with matching curtain rings.

Country – red checkered and bright yellow curtains are classic country style and they should be hung from plain white rods or distressed-looking wooden rods.

French Country – with bright colors and patterns of wine bottles, pasta and produce, choose a curtain rod that is dark in color with simple curves or metal finials at each end.

Traditional – imagine lacy or sheer floral curtains and that is traditional style and these curtains look wonderful hanging from gold rods with crystal ball finials.

Victorian – romance, whimsy and gentility are common in Victorian decorations, so when choosing a rod for your Victorian curtains look for metal rods like hammered iron or antique pewter and use tassel tie backs When choosing a rod or rods for your kitchen curtains, you’ll have a choice of three installations:

Tension rods – very easy to install and take down, tension spring keeps this rod in place without putting any holes in the wall. Not many style choices.

Hanging rods – these can be simple to install, usually 2 screws in each of 3 hangers for each rod. Hanging rods offer the most style and finish options as well as countless finial choices.

Attached rods – pretty easy to install, usually just a few screws into the wall. More style choices but are very commonly used for pocket curtains (the rod fits into a pocket in the curtain and is hidden from view).