Curtains Or Blinds For A Kitchen Window: Which To Choose?

Adding curtains or blinds to kitchen windows can help enhance the room’s aesthetics. These window treatments can also promote additional benefits for the home. But are curtains better than blinds? We researched the benefits and shortcomings of these options and found this answer.

Interested buyers should know that an end-all option doesn’t exist when choosing between curtains or blinds for kitchen windows. It’s important to know the distinctions between these choices, particularly their potential benefits and drawbacks. And so, well-informed shoppers can arrive at sound purchasing decisions.

Take note that these differences may range from the materials used to the effort required to clean the window treatments. Continue reading as we talk about the pros and cons of using curtains and blinds on kitchen windows in greater detail.

Collage of modern kitchen window with blinds and curtains, Curtains Or Blinds For A Kitchen Window: Which To Choose?

Are Blinds Or Curtains Better For Kitchen?

Aside from using different materials, blinds and curtains often promote different advantages and possess dissimilar shortcomings. In this section, you’ll learn about the potential benefits and drawbacks of these window treatments if you install them in your kitchen.

Blinds

Kitchen window blinds come in different shapes, sizes, and designs. These options are also typically easy to use and don’t usually require expert assistance for installation and maintenance.

Some of the other possible advantages and shortcomings of window blinds for your kitchen are:

Benefits of Blinds for the Kitchen Window

Fairly Inexpensive

Homeowners should expect to pay about $10 on average to cover each window in the kitchen. Buyers may also find some models with prices that can go as low as $6. In comparison, curtains often have minimum prices of about $7 to $20 per panel.

High-end options are also available for both kitchen blinds and curtains. However, the prices for blinds are still typically lower than curtains. For example, homeowners who want to install motorized blinds may spend about $400 to $600 per piece.

However, expect to spend about $240 to $1,500 to buy high-quality custom-made curtains to cover each kitchen window panel.

Light Management Flexibility

Blinds often present better light control than kitchen curtains. Pulling the lift cord or twisting the tilt wand to open or close the slats on the blinds requires little effort to operate. These characteristics supply household members and guests with the flexibility they need to adjust the natural light entering the kitchen.

Easy to Clean

Regular cleaning and maintenance for kitchen blinds generally don’t require expensive professional services. The care process often only demands some fairly common household cleaning items and a few minutes of your time.

Here’s a quick rundown of the steps to clean blinds:

What You’ll Need
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Clean cloth or rag
  • White vinegar
  • Water
  • Bowl
Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Close the blinds using the lift cord or tilt wand.
  2. Wipe the slats with a clean microfiber cloth. Work your way from top to bottom.
  3. Prepare a mixture of one part white vinegar and three parts water into a bowl.
  4. Dip another clean microfiber cloth into the diluted white vinegar.
  5. Wipe the blinds with this mixture to help remove stubborn dirt and stains.
  6. Use a dry cloth or rag to wipe the kitchen blinds dry.

You can also watch the video below to learn more about how to clean blinds properly:

Long Lifespan

The typical set of blinds should last about 7 to 8 years if homeowners practice routine care for these window treatments. On the other hand, the average window curtain may only last about 3 years.

Check out this window blind on Amazon.

Shortcomings of Blinds for the Kitchen Window

Limited Design Flexibility

Although manufacturers of window blinds develop different options for their customers, these window treatments often don’t look good in certain household themes. For example, dwellings with large kitchen windows, particularly those with vintage aesthetics, may do better by installing curtains than blinds.

Difficult to Repair

The blind system’s wires can become messed up in certain scenarios. If so, it can be next to impossible to repair the kitchen blinds without taking the entire framework apart. In turn, it might be necessary for homeowners to replace these window treatments instead of attempting a repair.

Curtains

The materials used in creating kitchen curtains can adapt to the room’s frame and shape. Interested homeowners should find it reasonably easier to purchase window curtains for their kitchens as opposed to searching for blinds.

Continue reading to learn more about the possible benefits and disadvantages of installing curtains on kitchen windows.

Benefits of Curtains for Kitchen Windows

Noise Reduction

Soundproof curtains are available for kitchen users that want peace while staying in this part of the house. Keep in mind that these options don’t eliminate outside noise despite the word soundproof in their names. However, these curtains can still reduce up to 75% of incoming outdoor rackets.

Check out the video below to see and hear the performance of a sound deadening curtain:

Check out these soundproof curtains on Amazon.

Enhanced Insulation

Studies show that curtains have thermal resisting properties. Many of these window treatments can reduce approximately 38% of the heat entering spaces, which may include the kitchen.

Installing kitchen window curtains can also help preserve the heat in rooms. If paired with the use of a heating system, such as a furnace or heat pump, the indoor temperature can go from 46 degrees Fahrenheit to 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the cold season.

Check out these thermal insulated curtains on Amazon.

DIY-Friendly Designs

The ease of installation promoted by curtains allows homeowners to change these fabrics whenever they please and with minimal effort. Also, since curtains provide larger surface areas than blinds, manufacturers can create different looks to fit various home designs.

Check out this product on Amazon.

Shortcomings of Curtains for Kitchen Windows

White kitchen with many windows
Tough to Clean

Curtains are generally more challenging to clean than window blinds. These window treatments often demand that you take them down to remove dust, dirt, and other unclean substances from them properly.

Here’s how a typical curtain-cleaning project would look like:

What You’ll Need
  • Fabric detergent
  • Large bucket
  • Cold water
Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Take away the hooks and curtain weights. Then, undo the heading tape.
  2. Remove the fabric and shake it outside to remove loose dirt and dust.
  3. Dip and soak the curtain in a large bucket of cold water.
  4. Add fabric detergent into the container and let it soak. As a word of caution, don’t rub or wring the material as doing so will damage it.
  5. Hang the curtain to dry or use a short cycle on a washing machine.
  6. Iron the fabric to help preserve its pleats.
  7. Wipe the curtain track and window glass before reinstalling the curtains.

Another option is to have the curtain dry-cleaned by experts. But the specialized assistance typically costs approximately $1 to $5 per foot. Furthermore, the overhead can increase if the curtain uses a material with special care directions.

Space Hog

Curtains usually have larger dimensions than kitchen window blinds. Some individuals may opt to DIY a long curtain to fit a fairly small kitchen window. But doing so presents homeowners with additional challenges.

Also, using a fairly long curtain may hinder some kitchen functions. For example, it can cover a spice rack or kitchen utensils, which would otherwise enhance the room’s aesthetics. Using a reasonably lengthy curtain on a kitchen window above the sink may also put the fabric at risk of getting wet every time you wash dishes.

Are Blinds Better Than Curtains For Energy Efficiency?

Some window blinds are more energy-efficient than certain curtains. At the same time, some curtains provide better energy efficiency than certain blinds.

For instance, automated cellular blinds allow homes to take advantage of the slats closing and opening at set schedules. The programmed feature reduces incoming cold and heat to help preserve comfortable interior temperatures.

Another example is louvered blinds, which are reasonably effective at reducing glare and heat from summer weather. If closed completely, the slats on these blinds can block and reflect harsh UV light to reduce the risks of furniture decay and potential health issues, such as a reduced immune system.

On the other hand, homeowners may install more than one curtain in one window. Doing so can help increase the thermal resistance of the setup to increase the material’s energy efficiency traits.

Final Words

Different advantages and disadvantages exist for kitchen window curtains and blinds. Identifying and understanding these differences can help homeowners select the best window treatment for their kitchens.