The kitchen window of your house is the real workhorse of your kitchen layout, and frankly, it is not likely receiving as much affection as it deserves. I say, gettier, you waste dozens of hours staring in that window when you do the dishes, or you make the meals or when you wait until you coffee finishes brewing. Why not make it all such spectacular?
Years of beauty-obsessions with the design of my kitchen (it is a design-addiction, according to my friends) have allowed me to learn that the correct window treatment can make or break your kitchen atmosphere. No matter your working space, a small apartment galley or a large farmhouse kitchen, these tips will guide you in transforming that unused window into a gorgeous focus.
Bay Windows: The Crown Jewel of Kitchen Design
We will begin with the highlight- bay windows. When you are fortunate enough to have one of these beauties on your kitchen floor you have in a way won the architectural lottery. The point is, however, that most of the people do not realize their potential.
Creating a Cozy Breakfast Nook
I have witness too many bay windows being used as storage dumping grounds (as guilty as my own kitchen too long). Rather make that space a lovely breakfast nook. Include a storage bench with in-built seating and toss in some colorful cushions and you will have the ideal morning coffee and weekend pancake spot.
Here it is important to have good cushioning and lighting. Believe me in this,–I was taught at a rather early age that a hard wooden bench is not the invitation to lingering at breakfast. Buy seat cushions that are comfortable and can withstand kitchen spills and might also introduce pendant lighting on the evenings.
Herb Garden Paradise
Want to know a secret? Bay windows create unbelievable herb gardens. Long silhouette allows plenty of room to put your pots, and the angled glass gives the best sunlight in various directions. I always have basil, rosemary and thyme on my fingertips- it is my mini farmers market in the kitchen.
Window Treatments That Actually Work
Ok, we should discuss window treatment. And no, I do not mean those fussy curtains your grandmother had (but that is your vibe, rock it). The treatments in modern kitchen windows must be fantastic and functional.
Cafe Curtains: The Perfect Balance
My recommendation to most of the kitchen windows would be cafe curtains. Why? They allow you privacy where you require it and allow in natural light as well on the upper half. Also, they are exceptionally easy to wash down – which, by the way, is extremely important in a cooking area.
These were my experiments with the various fabrics over the years, and they have been proven to work:
- Linen: Casual, easy-going, hides minor stains well
- Cotton: Classic choice, tons of pattern options
- Vinyl: Practical for high-moisture areas (though not my first choice aesthetically)
Roman Shades: Sleek and Sophisticated
In case you desire it a little fancier, Roman shades are marvelous. They are lightweight and foldable to allow as much light as required and cover you completely when down. Only thing to do is to get a moisture repelling fabric this is what I learnt on the first set, which was permanently wrinkled in steam.
| Treatment Type | Privacy Level | Light Control | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cafe Curtains | Medium | Good | Low |
| Roman Shades | High | Excellent | Medium |
| Valances | Low | Minimal | Low |
Skip the Fussy Stuff
Here is some on-the-record information: anything with excessive layers, or fragile fabrics is to be avoided. Cooking splatter, steam and the occasional flour eruption will confront your kitchen window treatment. Uncomplicated, clean, washable will save you thousands of headaches in the future.
Creative Storage Solutions Around Windows
Have you ever noticed how windows in a kitchen usually form such clumsy areas that cannot be efficiently used? I have answers that will have you asking yourself, why have I not thought of them before.
Floating Shelves Above Windows
By having floating shelves above your kitchen window you have instant storage and the window is not obstructed by shelves. I can use mine to put pretty dishes, my cookbook collections or even to show off my fancy olive oils but cannot afford to use since it is also expensive (kidding, not really).
The trick is maintaining the proportions correct. Deep shelves will be bulky and give shadows. Go to 6-8 inch as deep as you want, and ensure that they are a complement to your current cabinetry.
Window Sill Gardens
Turn your sill of the window in to a garden. However this is where the majority go wrong, as they select plants out of aesthetics and not functionality. Keep with herbs and small vegetables, you will make use of in cooking.
My current window sill lineup includes:
- Cherry tomatoes (surprisingly productive in small pots)
- Green onions (they regrow from kitchen scraps!)
- Mint (warning: this stuff spreads like crazy)
Under-Window Storage Benches
Got space under a large kitchen window? Storage bench performs two functions as seating and sorting. I created one during my last kitchen remodeling and in truth, it was the most preferred place to have morning coffee and evening wine.
Lighting That Complements Natural Light
This is one of the things that most people do not factor in: the interaction of artificial lighting with your window. You would like to supplement that natural light that is beautiful, not to rival it.
Pendant Lights for Evening Ambiance
When you are looking out your window at your island or peninsula, pendant lights may produce wonderful layered lighting. They are low profile accents during the day. At night they shine as the center of the stage.
I like warm bulbs (2700K-3000K) as they provide a warm feeling to the environment, which is vividly complemented by the light of the golden hour through the window. Cold white lights can simply feel unfriendly in a kitchen, I think.
Under-Cabinet Lighting
LED strip-lights below your overhead cabinets are great in conjunction with windows. They remove shadows on your countertops and they also give you task lighting without obstructing the natural light penetrating your window.
Hack: Have them mounted on a dimmer. The brightness can be set depending on the amount of natural light that you are receiving during the day.
Color Schemes That Pop
One of the best places where you can inject some personality into your location is your surrounding area of the kitchen window. However, it is difficult to select the right colors, as they can or cannot make the entire appearance.
Neutral Bases with Colorful Accents
I love keeping window decorations and treatments plain and having bursts of color with accessories. This strategy provides you with the option of modifying things on a seasonal basis without having to make significant remodeling.
Imagine white or cream window frames with colorful pot plants, colorful dish towels or bright ceramics on the shelves around. It’s a permanent performance in your kitchen.
Bold Statement Walls
You can even paint the wall countering your window in a very bright color, just in case you are so bold. Your deep navy, or forest green, or even a theatrical black can make your window look bigger and more notable. All you need to do is to ensure that your window treatments are in keeping with your decision, not conflicting with it.
Practical Considerations You Can’t Ignore
Let’s get real for a minute. The prettiest Pinterest concepts in the world will not get you anywhere unless you take into account the practicalities of kitchen window design.
Ventilation and Moisture Control
Kitchen windows are more exposed to moisture and changes in temperature than any other room in your house. Note: Do not use treatments unable to withstand steam generated by cooking and condensation that may happen occasionally.
Do not have anything that cannot be cleaned or changed easily. That pretty Roman colour could look beautiful but it would be a nightmare to keep in a busy kitchen.
Safety Around the Stove
Fire safety is also a big factor should you have your window close to your cooktop. Store treatments far away from fire and think about using a heat-resistant material where it is going to be.
I once had an experience when curtains that were a little too close to my gas range had narrowly missed me. Suffice to say it was a good lesson not to be concerned with style more than safety :/
Easy Access for Cleaning
Your kitchen window will require frequent cleaning- more than you imagine. Steam, cook-frying, and all other uses of the kitchen make this window harder at work than other windows in your house.
Select the treatments that are easy to remove or clean up. Even the loveliest treatment will soon be shabbily painted in case you are not able to cope with the maintenance.
Budget-Friendly Updates That Make a Big Impact
A full kitchen makeover is not within every budget but it does not mean that you cannot make a significant upgrade to your window space without spending a lot of money.
DIY Window Film
The cost of decoration window film is less than $20, which can transform your window fully. Frosted privacy film to stained glass patterns, you’ve hundreds of choices to make, which only demand a steady hand and a squeegee.
Paint Magic
Do not underrate the power of a new paint surrounding your window. The window can make your window appear new by having a new color of the trim, wall, or surrounding cabinets.
Thrift Store Treasures
Thrifts and estate sales are some of my favorite sources of kitchen window accessories. Planting pottery, curtain rod peculiarities, or curious shelf bracket can be a personal touch that cannot be acquired with a new one.
Making Small Windows Feel Larger
Have a small kitchen-window that looks more like a porthole than an interior decoration? I understand how much it hurts, and I have tricks, which do work.
Mirror Magic
Well-placed mirrors in front of your window can give you the effect of more windows and more light. Stock them in such a way that they mirror the natural light entering into the room, and you will be surprised to see the difference.
Light-Colored Treatments
Small windows are completely vanished in dark window treatments. Keep it light and bright in color which can make your window look bigger and more important to your kitchen design.
Minimal Hardware
Small windows appear even smaller due to huge curtain rod and complicated hardware. Select smooth, minimal hardware that does not demand to be noticed like your window.
The potential of your kitchen window is amazing and can change the whole space of cooking. You can be dramatic in your approach to treatments or be simple with the functional enhancements; the bottom line is that you should make decisions that complement your lifestyle and maintenance capacity.
Keep in mind the best kitchen window dressing is the one you will keep and live with every day. Then choose something you like, remember to keep it functional, and don’t feel afraid to change things around when you feel like it. It is only a window, after all, however, with the right attitude it can be the centerpiece of your kitchen design.