The Sunday Mail
FROM sipping coffee in the morning to cooking family dinners at night, we spend a lot of our day in the kitchen.
For most homeowners, it is important for the kitchen to be a happy and cheerful space.
One of the most effective ways to do this is through kitchen window design.
Kitchen windows let in natural light and, if done right, can brighten the mood of the entire room.
Below are kitchen window ideas to transform your home kitchen into the family gathering space of your dreams.
Guide to kitchen windows
They come in many shapes and sizes. They range from the kitchen bay window over the sink, which allows you sweeping views of the outdoors while you do the dishes, to the kitchen pass-through window, which can open the kitchen up to an indoor dining space or outdoor patio. As an integral part of the room’s design, your kitchen windows will help set the mood for the type of kitchen you want to create.
Kitchen windows overview
There are two main components to a kitchen window. First is the design of the window itself, including its size, shape and how it opens and closes. Second is kitchen window decor, or how you choose to dress the window with curtains and valances. For kitchen window design, there are a few pro tips to keep in mind. Window types that worked in the rest of your house will not necessarily work in your kitchen.
For example, you will want the kitchen sink window to be functional and easy to open while still letting in enough natural light. The best choice for this is often a bay window or side-by-side casement windows.
In terms of decor, the most popular way to dress things up is with kitchen window curtains.
Ideas include using colours and patterns to brighten up the overall scheme.
Kitchen windows pros
A main advantage of kitchen window curtains is the added privacy that they provide. If you are concerned about safety, or even just the curious eyes of neighbours, curtains will be your first line of defence to maintain privacy in your kitchen. If privacy is not a concern, there are endless kitchen window valance ideas to add style and sophistication to your kitchen without sacrificing the view. Valances sit at the top of your kitchen window and, when used effectively, will make the entire room feel larger. The kitchen is one of the easiest places to use valances, which is a huge pro in our design books. Another bonus of kitchen window treatments is their cost effectiveness.
For a little cost, you can give your kitchen a facelift with updated window treatments. Save even more money by trying your hand at DIY (do-it-yourself) kitchen window decor and create a totally custom look that suits your individual taste.
Kitchen windows cons
When the purpose of kitchen windows is to fill the room with natural light, curtains can block some of this light, putting you at a disadvantage.
One popular kitchen window curtain idea is to use sheer curtains that filter some light in while maintaining privacy.
You will have to test a few different weights of fabric to find the right amount of sheerness.
While kitchen window curtains and valances are relatively inexpensive, any modifications involving the design or structure of the windows themselves will add up quickly.
This can become a huge drawback if you are on a budget.
However, do not ignore the signs if you really do need new kitchen windows.
Windows that are damaged, warped or poorly insulated should get replaced as soon as possible before they cause further problems. —freshome.
