As more and more time is spent in the modern kitchen, special consideration should be given to what type of window blinds will create the desired atmosphere. After all, studies document that out of the sixteen hours of the average day, the average housewife spends almost five hours in the kitchen, which is a third of the awakened hours. This makes the kitchen the third busiest room in the house behind the bedrooms and the TV/family room. In addition to creating a room with a specific ambiance, the practical aspects of the kitchen will almost always take priority with emphasis on the type of living and family needs. Brightness during daylight hours is important as the kitchen is a full-time working area.
Ease of maintenance in its design is also a critical aspect. All these considerations are important as is the availability of the best blinds to accommodate them. Choosing the right blinds will make this room into an indicator of the pulse of your home. Since illumination in the kitchen is of primary importance, this brightness can be enhanced by the addition of blinds to the windows which will create a certain look and provide certain abilities to control exterior light.
Controlling of exterior light and creating privacy is popularly achieved with mini blinds that can be raised as well as just tilted. Screen materials, which only allow the desired amount of light, are also in much demand for blinds. There also are many washable materials being used. Considering the flying water, one must recognize that blinds should not be susceptible to water.
That is why we do not recommend wood blinds for these rooms. Wood blinds can warp with even minimal exposure to water and humidity, and in a kitchen, damage to these wood blinds is almost guaranteed. We also do not recommend nonwashable low end fabrics for kitchens. The only fabrics that should be used in a kitchen should be washable, to remove the dirt and debris that will surely land on them.
Please be warned, however, that no blinds fabrics can be washed aggressively. Blinds cannot be placed in the washing machine, and cannot be scrubbed clean. Blinds fabric can be taken down, and treated gently by washing in cool water with a very mild soap. Then the slats can be rinsed and rehung. It is also recommended that you place a towel below the blinds after you rehang the slats, as the remaining water will run down in them, and you do not want to make a new mess form that.
Whenever referring to PVC blinds and their ability to repel water and control light, one should remember that PVC is subject to temperature changes. Proper air ventilation is highly recommended. The letter C in PVC means chloride, which can release unhealthy chemicals during high temperatures. PVC will absorb color from smoke and then become very difficult to clean.
If smoky kitchen experiences occur, it would be wise to clean the blinds soon thereafter. This cleaning of the PVC can use a gentle soap, and should help add life to your blinds. Several profiles of PVC for are available for blinds - flat, curved and expanded foam. The expanded foam profile is widely promoted to be used for kitchen blind applications.
One must always carefully choose where PVC blinds are to be installed. Surrounding areas to the blinds may not experience abnormally high temperatures. However, windows themselves can reach unbearable heat, and the kitchen, when cooking for extended times, can also reach these high levels of calefaction. This contrasts with the common times of cold from air conditioning, as well as radiant cold from outside.
These changes must be able to be withstood by your blinds. Kitchens can be will appointed with beautiful appliances and countertops. Why not ensure that your blinds add to that look and do not detract. Consider the various options and make sure you are ready to manage the light with your blinds. Also, ensure that the material that you select for the blinds is not only safe, but also easy to clean. The elements in the kitchen can be beautiful and fun, but they can also be dangerous.
Ensure that your blinds are safe in the way that they are installed and that they do not interact negatively with the rest of the space.
Judith Persit is a student of interior design. She started in this direction due to a search for design options in window treatments. Ms. Persit writes about roller shades. Roller shades can be interesting, you can learn more about shades at her website with many pictures.
