Kitchen Curtain Ideas 2012
There are a lot of kitchen curtain ideas that can bring out the character and beauty of a kitchen. Curtains are an important element in a kitchen décor. Choosing kitchen curtains therefore needs a lot of consideration. Fortunately, the abundance of kitchen curtain ideas makes the job of a decorator easy and pleasurable. Kitchen curtains come in a wide variety of styles and designs, can be made out of so many different kinds of fabrics and come with a whole array of colors, patterns ad prints.
In choosing the best kitchen idea that will look great on the windows of your kitchen you need to consider several factors that include the kitchen décor, color motif of the kitchen and size and type of windows where the curtains will be hanged. Kitchen curtains also have to be made of fabrics that are easy to clean since they easily gather grease and dirt and absorb smoke and cooking smell.
A kitchen curtain idea may appeal to you because of its attractiveness but if it does not complement or match your kitchen décor then it will defeat the purpose of beautifying your kitchen. A country style kitchen curtain will clash with a chrome and steel modern kitchen. Curtains in colors that do not match with the color of your counter top, kitchen walls and the upholstery of your kitchen chair can also ruin the whole look of the kitchen.
In comparing kitchen curtains, consider also the fabric of the curtains. Kitchens are supposed to look sunny and bright. Using a heavy fabric for kitchen curtains will block the light and make the room look gloomy even with a light colored heavy fabric and smaller than its actually size. A light fabric is best as kitchen curtains. Sheer fabrics such as voile, gauze, batiste, cotton and even lace are perfect as kitchen curtains because they not only allow the sunlight to filter through but they’re also very easy to clean fabrics.
Kitchen Curtain Ideas
Kitchen curtains are very important elements to the beauty and functionality of kitchens. Most of us want our kitchens not only easy to work in but pretty and appealing as well. Kitchen curtains are an expression of our own personal style and decorating ability. Having them coordinated with kitchen furnishings, countertops and cabinets is an art in itself. Factors to consider in choosing the perfect kitchen curtain for your kitchen include:
Fabrics – There are many fabrics suitable for kitchen curtains most of which are light and airy since heavy fabrics tend to block out the light, something that is a big no-no for kitchens. A dark and gloomy kitchen is not a pleasant place to cook plus heavy fabrics tend to trap odors from the cooking. The most favored fabric for curtains are sheers, lace or cotton depending on the your kitchen décor. They can come in plain, printed or embroidered.
Color – Kitchen curtains are usually light in colors to provide the illusion of a larger working area plus light colors make the kitchen look sunnier and more cheerful. The colors of kitchen curtains should match or complement the colors of the walls as well as the colors of the kitchen furnishing.
Length – Length is a vital factor in the choice of kitchen curtains. Very long curtains are not at all appropriate for kitchens especially in windows close to the range or oven. Short kitchen curtains provide the room a pretty and comfortable ambiance.
Style – There are many different kitchen curtain styles to choose from. Café curtains look very pretty for kitchens, so are short pleated curtains on small windows. Country style kitchen curtains are also very popular but there is also the contemporary kitchen curtain as well as the classic kitchen curtain. Choose the style of curtain that will best bring out the beauty of your kitchen.
Curtains for Living and Dining Area
Your living and dining areas should put across comfort and serenity and the treatment you give to your windows, more than any decorative and furnishing pieces will reflect your personality and lifestyle.
A well-designed curtain pole and sophisticated curtain treatment in your dining room will provide a formal venue for entertaining guests. On the other hand a simple rod or pole paired with unfussy and simple curtains will create an informal ambiance and encourage relaxation fun, endless chatting and even play. a well used kitchen should have window curtains that will promote warmth and casual intimacy.
If you have a Victorian house or a modern home decorated in the Victorian era there is a wide selection of elaborately designed wooden and wrought iron poles and complementary finials to make your curtain windows match the traditional décor of your home. If you live in a modern home and condo unit decorated in a modern style there is also a wide selection of minimalist metal and steel poles perfect for creating contemporary décor.
In lieu of curtains, you can also use blinds as window treatment for the living room and dining area. It is the perfect solution to a limited space and daylight control. Thanks to modern technology that makes it possible to blend natural products and textiles, blinds are now produced in a wide range of colors and textures. It gives home owners a great decorating option to curtains for their windows. A room furnished with natural wood will look fabulous and stunning with wooden blinds framed with curtains in contrasting fabric and color.
Minimalist curtains for the living room and dining area in a dominant color of the room décor will look striking when the color is carried all throughout the room. The color can be replicated in matching cushions, dining seat upholstery or even in the candles or serviettes.
Curtains and Draperies
Curtains and draperies are still the best treatment for windows of the home. They provide a room great character and extraordinary attractiveness. They are also perfect for blocking heat, cold and light including outside noise from entering a room.
Traditionally, curtains for windows are either a sash curtain to filter sunlight, a draw curtain to close out the sunlight and drapery that is solely for decoration. In big rooms with high ceilings, all three are hang on a window topped with a valance or a cornice to conceal the hardware.
Now, when we speak of curtain, we usually refer to an unlined sash curtain while draperies would refer to panels of fabrics that are drawn to completely close off a window. Another type of window treatment is a swag or fabric loosely draped over an ornamental pole. It has no other purpose but to provide a window a lovely decoration. Options in hanging curtains:
• Some of the best curtain materials would be lace, silk, nylon, cotton or other fine and diaphanous materials
• Hang curtains over blinds
• Hang curtains underneath draw draperies made of silk, linen, velvet, chintz or other drapery fabric.
• Cover blinds or roman shades with draw draperies
• Top any kind of curtain with ornamental jabots or swags
• Use a decorative pole to hang draperies
• Top blinds or roman shades with swags covering just the top of the window and with jabots to drape the sides of the windows.
• Top any window treatment with a valance or cornice
There are just so many ways to give windows fabulous looking curtains and draperies. When curtains and draperies are combined with the more modern treatments such as shades and blinds, the result is just fabulous. And don’t stint on materials. Long billowy curtains give a room a lovely and romantic ambiance.
Length of Curtains, How Long Should the Curtains Be
In decorating a window with curtains, one common dilemma is how long should the curtains be. Length of curtains depends mostly on the curtain type and style décor of the room. Longer curtains are dressier and more formal and are therefore more suitable to a more conventional room décor style. Shorter curtains on the other hand lend a more casual ambiance to a room and are more suitable to a more relaxed or casual room décor.
To help you decide on what length of curtains you should choose for your decorating efforts, here are some guidelines to cue you:
• For a more formal room décor, curtains should just reach the floor
• If the ambiance you want to create for the room is a romantic mood, opt for curtains that puddle on the floor
• Kitchen curtains are best hang with curtains that reach only the window sill or the base of the window trim. This type of curtain is called an apron curtain.
• To give your room a more homey yet dignified air, hang long curtains that reach the floor.
• Curtains that reach only the top of floor moldings look a bit inelegant and awkward. Either lower the hem of the curtains or if it is hung too high simply bring them down a little.
• If a window is too short, hang long floor-length curtains from a curtain rod attached just below the ceiling molding to make it more elegant and give the impression of a longer window.
• For windows that are awkwardly long, hang a floor-length curtain and add a valance above the curtains with bold horizontal prints.
• If windows are too wide, hanging several panels of long curtains or drapes will break up the space. The curtains can hang straight or tied back in pairs. Photo by photo_gratis
