Compared to the other stylistic choices that you have to make when designing your kitchen and bathrooms, for example the floors and the decor, window treatments can seem like an afterthought. However, choosing the right blinds and shades for these rooms deserves a bit of extra thought.
In these two rooms, probably more so than other rooms of your home, you need blinds than can provide privacy and endure humidity. Due to constant heat and moisture, bathrooms are the most humid room of the house. Kitchens withstand plenty of steam and splashing, as well. The blinds or shades that you equip these rooms with need to be able to resist warping and staining caused by water.
Figuring out how to balance your privacy, lighting, and durability needs requires time and energy, so we’ve done the research for you. To take out any guesswork for you, here’s our top picks for kitchen and bath-worthy window treatments, as well as a few things to consider before buying each.
#1. Roman Shades
Why They Work
This traditional style of shades looks both fresh and stylish in any bathroom. Roman shades also do a swell job of filtering in natural light while still providing privacy.
Considerations
Putting fabric near steam and splashes is a risky game. Thick, heavy fabrics will trap dust and moisture, resulting in unsightly mildew. If you do choose a fabric option, look for quick drying materials such as voile, lace, or muslin. They won’t hold onto extra moisture. Plus they are easy to spot clean or take down to wash if necessary.
#2. Wood Blinds
Why They Work
You want your kitchen to look bright and welcoming rather than dingy and cramped. Same goes for your bathroom. Bathrooms are already smaller than other rooms in the house, so you want to bring in as much natural light as possible. Blinds are one of the most versatile options when it comes to filtering light. Open or close them completely, or close and tilt them slightly to balance your privacy and lighting needs.
Considerations
Authentic wood blinds are easy to clean, but they will quickly warp and fade when exposed to water. Consider faux wood blinds if you want the natural look of blinds but a materials than can withstand the elements. They are just as easy to dust and clean, but the humidity won’t cause them to crack or warp.
#3. Aluminum Blinds
Why They Work
The coating on aluminum blinds is baked on, so the color won’t fade over time. Also, aluminum is easy to clean and won’t rust like other metals such as steel.
Considerations
While aluminum technically don’t rust, it can be slightly altered by water over a long period of time. When exposed to moisture, it develops a transparent oxide coating. Look for a pair of aluminum blinds that has a protective coating to keep them in tip top shape even in the face of constant moisture.
#4. Vinyl Shutters
Why They Work
Reminiscent of large southern mansions, vinyl shutters look undeniably lavish in baths and kitchens alike. The slats grant versatility when it comes to filtering natural light. Plus, vinyl is known to hold up well against water.
Considerations
Unlike blinds, shutters don’t give you the option for a completely open window. You can tilt them every which way, but they will still be covering the window to some extent. One way to overcome this is to install shutters on only the bottom half of your window, or café style. This style makes for a much brighter room while still fulfilling privacy needs.
#5. Top Down Bottom Up Blinds
Why They Work
This style of blinds provides the greatest versatility in terms of both privacy and filtering light. You can close and tilt the slats for privacy and warm lighting, or you can open up the top half for extra illumination. You can also openly them all the way to brighten the whole space.
Considerations
As with regular blinds, look for options made of aluminum or faux wood to make sure your window treatment can withstand splashes and moisture.
The window treatments you ultimately choose will depend on the unique layout of your kitchen or baths. Some baths are more cramped than others, so filtering in enough light might be your biggest concern. In other scenarios, your kitchen sink sits right underneath your window, so finding blinds that are 100% waterproof will be your top priority.
Fortunately, with the myriad of window treatment options available to you, you’ll never have to sacrifice durability, lighting, or privacy in your kitchen or bath. With the right pair of blinds or shades, you can have all three.
