What to Avoid When Buying Kitchen Curtains

Once you have been through the long and expensive process of remodeling your kitchen it is time to start thinking about providing the important finishing touches and decorating it. One of the decisions to make when thinking about your kitchen is what to hang at your windows. Even with a kitchen there are many different choices for window treatments. Here are some tips on what to avoid (and what to do instead).

1. Avoid Anything Too Complicated

The kitchen is an informal room and suits a simple style so anything over the top with frills and complicated headings looks out of place in a kitchen. Thank goodness that the fashion for festoon blinds has now passed – a nightmare in the kitchen! Choose a simple tab top or gathered heading and hang the curtains from a simple rod (not a plastic rail!)

2. Avoid Delicate Fabrics

You may be tempted to use lace kitchen curtains in a country style kitchen however kitchen curtains will get dirty very quickly so it is important that they can be easily laundered and that the fabric will look good wash after wash. If the fabric is too delicate the curtains will not stand up to regular laundering and you will be replacing them before you know it. If the fabric is not washable at all be ready for regular visits to the dry cleaners and high cleaning bills.

3. Avoid Dull Designs

The curtains in your kitchen are a chance to add a bit of color. Most of us choose a neutral color scheme for our kitchens so we need colored accessories to make them look special. Use your window treatments to liven up your kitchen. Of course, it’s important that the colors do not clash with other accessories so choose your curtains with other items in your kitchen in mind.

Warm Neutral Color Schemes

There is something very easy on the eye about neutral color schemes especially those at the warm end of the spectrum encompassing colors from cream, through honey beige and coffee colors, right through to chocolate brown. They are understated in nature and provide a feeling of relaxation and comfort as soon as you walk into a room. Here is how you might use those colors in your living room.

1. Creamy White or Ivory

These colors are fantastic for walls as they reflect light without giving a chilly atmosphere to a room. They can be used even in rooms which don’t get much sun and in small rooms to help them look larger. You can also use cream tones for window curtains, valances and sofa colors to give a sophisticated modern look. Add texture and interesting accessories to introduce another dimension into the room so that it does not seem flat.

2. Honey Beige

Honey beige is a lovely warm neutral color to use for flooring. It has that mid-tone which does not show every speck of dirt and dust yet it is still light enough to avoid having an overpowering effect when being used in such a large area. You can buy a honey beige carpet or install an oak floor to provide the perfect backdrop to your neutral decor.

3. Coffee and Caramel Colors

The slightly darker tones of coffee and caramel work well in contemporary interiors and they have enough depth of color to rise above the neutrals which form the backdrop. Use them for sofa covers, curtains and rugs mixed with lighter neutrals.

4. Chocolate Brown

Dark brown or chocolate tones are great for adding rich contrast and impact to your neutral color scheme. You can use these darker shades of brown in wooden furniture and dark wood flooring or leave them in small doses as a pattern on a cushion, throw or curtain. If you want to add texture to a lighter wooden floor add a brown rug in leather or suede would add a sophisticated and luxurious touch.