Kitchen blinds

What a kitchen window has to put up with

A kitchen blind has to look lovely and cope with everyday life, from a sunny breakfast to a steamy saucepan. We'd be happy to show you easy-care options and explain which materials are best suited to your particular window.

Few windows work as hard as the one over a sink. It sits close to heat, steam and grease, gets touched with wet hands and is usually small enough that a bulky blind can look out of proportion. So the shopping question is practical: what will still look right after a year of cooking, and how will you clean it?

Four types that usually earn their place

Faux wood blinds

Faux wood blinds have slats that suit damp rooms better than real timber, and they wipe down with a cloth. You can tilt the slats to let light in and keep privacy from the garden or the street. If you were wondering why not real wood, wood vs faux wood sets out the difference.

Roller blinds in wipeable fabrics

Roller blinds are simple, and some fabrics are easier to wipe than others. Ask us which cloths in the range can be cleaned with a damp cloth and which are best kept away from the cooker. Our guide to caring for roller blinds covers cleaning.

Perfect Fit blinds

If your kitchen has uPVC windows or a glazed door, Perfect Fit blinds clip into the frame without drilling. The blind moves with the window or door and stays close to the glass. Not every frame is suitable, so it is worth checking Perfect Fit compatibility first.

Venetian blinds

Venetian blinds with narrow slats can look sharp on a small window. Finishes and materials vary by range, so ask what is available for kitchens.

What to tell us at the measure

• How close the window is to the hob, kettle or sink, and whether there is an extractor.
• Whether the window opens outwards, inwards, or has a handle that sticks out.
• If you want the blind to stop at the sill or run longer; a short blind avoids the worktop.
• Whether anyone at home may reach the controls, including children.
• What colour the units and walls are, so we can match fabrics or slats.

Kitchen things to watch for

Real wood is best kept away from a busy sink or steamy hob, and thick, absorbent fabrics do not enjoy heat and grease either. Where a long cord or chain would hang near a cooker or kettle, choose short controls or a cordless option where the range offers one. A blind that stops short of the worktop will also dodge every splash.

Practical tips

1. Wipe blinds lightly and often rather than waiting for a deep clean.
2. Run the extractor or open a window while cooking to reduce steam on any blind.
3. If the window is small, blinds for small windows has a few layout ideas.
4. Choose a pale, mid-tone or patterned finish if you would like marks to show less.
5. See colours and fabrics before choosing, and keep a cloth swatch near the worktop for a few days.

Book the measure

Show us the cooking set-up when we visit. Book a free measure and we will recommend a blind that suits the heat and the cleaning, with a quotation before you commit.

Inspiration