What suits a kitchen window?
A kitchen is one of the harder rooms for a blind. There is steam from pans and kettles, heat from the hob or oven, splashes from the sink and, over time, a fine film of grease in the air. A good choice is usually a material that wipes clean, does not mind a bit of moisture and can be kept well away from open flame or a hot surface. There is no single answer, so here is how the main options compare.
Start with the distance
How close the window is to the cooker or sink matters more than the blind. A blind next to a gas hob needs more care than one across the room above a table. It helps to look at the manufacturer's guidance for any blind you are considering, and to keep fabric or slats well clear of flames and strong heat sources. As a rule of thumb, if the window is directly behind a hob or you can feel heat on the glass, we're happy to talk it through with you before you choose. Where there is any doubt, a blind that can be raised out of the way, or a different solution entirely, may be safer.
Material by material
Faux wood and PVC venetian blinds
Faux wood slats are synthetic, so they do not soak up water in the way real wood can. They can be wiped with a damp cloth, which helps with grease. They are heavier than aluminium, so check the size limits for the range. See our faux wood blinds page. Slats collect dust in the gaps, and in a kitchen that dust mixes with grease, so a regular wipe keeps them looking good.
Aluminium venetian blinds
Aluminium slats are light and quick to wipe. They can mark or dent more easily than thicker slats, and a very damp room may be harder on the fittings. They are a practical option for smaller windows.
Roller blinds in a wipeable fabric
A roller blind has a flat face, which makes it easier to wipe than anything with slats or folds. Some fabrics are designed to be wiped clean, and others are not, so check the product details for the fabric you are choosing. Roller blinds work well in kitchens because they are simple and can be rolled up out of the way when you are cooking. Our roller blinds page has more.
Pleated, Roman and fabric blinds
These look lovely, but fabric can hold odours and grease, and pleats take more care to clean. In a kitchen they are generally happiest when the window is away from the cooking area, such as over a dining table.
Real wood
Real wood looks warm, but heat, steam and cleaning can affect it, depending on the finish. It can work in a large, well-ventilated kitchen, though faux wood is often the easier choice for a working cooking space. Our wood and faux wood guide compares the two.
A quick comparison
- Good starting points near a sink: faux wood, wipeable roller fabric.
- Fine away from cooking: aluminium venetian, pleated and Roman blinds in suitable fabrics.
- Needs a little more care: real wood and heavy soft fabrics close to heat and steam.
No material is completely immune to a busy kitchen, so choosing well and giving it a little care goes a long way.
Cleaning ease
Whatever you pick, the cleaning routine makes a big difference to how it looks after a year or two:
- Wipe splashes soon after they happen, before they dry.
- Use a damp cloth and mild washing-up liquid if the care guidance allows it.
- Go easy on harsh cleaners and abrasive pads, which can scratch or strip a finish.
- Use the extractor fan when cooking, and open a window if you can.
- Dust the blind regularly so grease does not trap dirt.
- Dry slats and metal parts after cleaning.
Think about how you use the room
If the kitchen is mainly a place to cook and wash up, wipeability is a good priority. If it is also a dining room or a family space, you may want something softer for the evening. Some homes use two different blinds, such as a wipeable roller over the sink and a softer Roman blind over the table. If the kitchen opens on to a patio, our patio door blinds page covers glazed doors.
Cords and safety
Kitchens are busy rooms, and children are often in and out. A blind that keeps cords out of reach, or avoids them altogether, is a great choice, and our child safety page has more. If a blind is going near a hob, please make sure it is clear of anything that could heat or ignite it. For a fuller overview, our kitchen blinds page is a good place to start.
Ask at the window
It is much easier to judge distances and heat when someone is standing in the room. Book a free measure and we'll look at your kitchen window, talk through the options and measure up.
