Roman Shades for Kitchen Windows - Materials, Styles and Tips
Roman shades have become an increasingly popular window treatment choice for today's kitchens. With their elegant folded construction, roman shades offer customized control over light and privacy while providing a clean, tailored aesthetic. Read on to learn more about how to select the best roman shades to complement your kitchen's style.
Roman shades are a versatile window treatment that can solve many of the lighting and privacy challenges inherent in kitchen design. Here's an overview of their key benefits for your kitchen.
Benefits of Using Roman Shades in the Kitchen
Customizable Privacy
One of the primary advantages of roman shades is the ability to adjust the lifts and folds to control just how much you want to obscure the view into or out of your kitchen. Lowering a roman shade completely provides full privacy, while partially lifting the shade creates soft, filtered light through the cascading folds. This allows you to have privacy when you want it while still allowing some natural light into your kitchen.
Roman shades allow you to control what you want to show the outside world. Lift them to allow glimpses of your beautiful kitchen or lower them fully when you want seclusion.
Light Control Options
Beyond just privacy, lifting and lowering roman shades gives you customizable control over the amount of sunlight streaming into your kitchen. With a light lift, you can filter bright sunlight through the soft folds. For times when you want full blackout conditions - like when watching TV in an adjacent room - fully lowering the shades blocks all incoming light.
To take light control up a notch, adding a separate blackout lining ensures no light creeps in when the shades are drawn. This dual window covering provides the ultimate in flexible light management.
Design and Style Choices
Roman shades lend a clean, tailored look that is at home in both traditional and contemporary kitchens. Without fussy details like tassels or tie-backs, the shades offer an understated elegance.
From solids and prints to woven textures and embroidered patterns, roman shades come in a vast array of fabrics and colors to match any kitchen decor. Vibrant bold patterns can add visual interest, while neutral solids nicely complement without competing.
Unlike busy curtains or cluttered blinds, the simplicity of roman shades adds a refined style perfectly suited for the kitchen.
Factors to Consider When Buying Roman Shades
Once you decide to install roman shades in your kitchen, there are a few key factors to consider to select the best shades for your space.
Window Size and Shape
Measuring your windows carefully is an important first step. This will determine whether ready-made standard sizes or custom roman shades are the best fit. For uniquely shaped windows like bay, corner, or arched windows, custom shades are often the better - if more expensive - option to get a perfect tailored fit.
Consider inside or outside mounts depending on the depth and moldings around your windows when taking measurements. An experienced window treatment professional can provide guidance to select the right mounting method.
Types of Fabric and Materials
From understated solids to bold graphic prints, fabric choice contributes greatly to the overall look and function of your shades. Light filtering fabrics like linen and cotton provide a soft sheer look when partially lifted. Blackout fabrics and linings block all incoming light when fully lowered.
Natural fiber fabrics like cotton and linen offer beauty and breathability. Synthetic polyester blends provide durability and wrinkle-resistance. Water-resistant and stain-resistant coatings help withstand cooking splatters in the kitchen. Embossed, woven, or embroidered textures add visual appeal.
Mounting and Hardware
Consider cordless versus corded operation when selecting roman shade hardware. Cordless lift systems using wands or loops allow easy lifting and lowering without dangling cords. This provides both safety and visual appeal.
For extra style, adding decorative valances, trim, or other hardware can help your shades coordinate with your kitchen's design aesthetic. An interior designer can recommend options to complement your decor.
Energy Efficiency
Look for insulated roman shades to provide enhanced insulation against temperature changes. This helps reduce heating and cooling costs in the kitchen. Ensure a tight seal around shade edges to prevent air leaks around the windows.
Style Ideas and Design Tips
Beyond function, roman shades offer many possibilities to contribute to your ideal kitchen's style.
Colors and Patterns
Solid shades in neutral hues effortlessly match most color schemes, while vibrant solids or bold graphic prints make a dramatic style statement. Coordinate patterns and colors with your existing kitchen decor for a cohesive look.
For a pop of color, choose window shades in your accent hue. Play up a print used elsewhere in the kitchen with matching roman shades sporting that same pattern.
Layering Window Treatments
While beautiful on their own, roman shades pair nicely with other window treatments. Layer with breezy sheer curtains to allow some view out when shades are drawn. Or combine with tailored valances at the top of your window for extra depth and design.
For maximum light blocking, install two layers of roman shades on the same window. Lower one shade part way and the second fully for customized control.
Consider the Room Function
Lighter, brighter shades are well-suited to casual daytime kitchens and breakfast nooks, while more subdued solid colors complement formal dining areas that see evening use. Play with stylish options that enhance how you use your kitchen space.
With their versatility, elegant appearance, and customizable control over privacy and light, roman shades are an excellent window treatment choice for today's kitchens. Take time to measure properly, select attractive yet durable fabrics, and explore creative styling possibilities. Thoughtfully chosen roman shades can enhance both the form and function of your kitchen.