Stylish Kitchen Window Treatments for Chicago Homeowners

October 08, 2015

With regards to looks and usability, the best choice for kitchen window treatments are faux wood blinds or faux wood shutters.

Why are those two great for kitchens? Faux wood shutters and blinds are the window treatments that can best stand up to the messes and moisture of most kitchens, while still offering great looks and privacy.

See how these window treatments stand up to the heat, and stay in the kitchen in Chicago homes.

Faux Wood Shutters – A Kitchen Window’s Best Friend

classic shutters in Chicago kitchen

Just about anything you could want out of a window treatment for your kitchen, Chicago’s best faux wood shutters offer. These are a few things you probably want from any kitchen furnishing:

It needs to be moisture-proof. Steam from boiling pots of water, splashes from the sink, or spilled drinks can spell disaster most window treatments. Faux wood shutters are 100% moisture-proof, as well as coated with an extra layer of protective finish.
It should be easy to clean. It’s a fact – kitchens get messy. So when that spoonful of soup flies toward your window and onto your shutters, all it takes is a wipe with a slightly wet cloth to make them look brand-new.
It needs to be easy to operate. Want to open up the window in a hurry to let steam from dinner escape? Need to set that fresh apple pie on the window sill to cool? Shutters are some of the easiest window treatments to operate, and still let you have full use of your window.

The vast majority of window treatments don’t offer any of those benefits, let alone all of them. Shades or drapes can easily stain, anything made of wood won’t handle the moisture in a humid room like the kitchen, and mini blinds can be a hassle to operate in a pinch.

Not to mention the fact that faux wood shutters look incredible in the kitchen. With marble, natural wood and slate countertops at the height of popularity in Chicago, faux wood shutters give your kitchen a look that can rival anything you’ll see in a designer boutique.

That’s why Polywood® plantation shutters are a kitchen window’s perfect match.

Faux Wood Blinds – Vintage Window Treatment For Modern Chicago Kitchens

Plantation shutters are our top pick for Chicago kitchens, but it’s not the only window treatment that will work. In Chicago, faux wood blinds are our second pick for best window treatment for the kitchen.

Faux wood is typically going to be water resistant, so they’re already halfway there. Since faux wood blinds also won’t stain, a wet cloth will get them looking pristine again after a mess. Bear in mind that blinds are a little more work to clean than shutters due to the size and number of slats. Also keep in mind that certain blind cords can rot or wither after constant exposure to moisture, so be sure to ask about the cord material.

Faux wood blinds are also perfect for windows above the sink. In some Chicago kitchens, cabinetry or an appliance might not allow you enough room to open shutters completely. With blinds, a pull of the cord will open up your view.

And their looks are absolutely stunning. They might not be as complementary as Polywood shutters, but faux wood blinds can easily match other natural elements like a marble counter or natural wood cabinets and trim.

FAQs about Kitchen Window Treatments

Is there a reason why you don’t recommend fabric window treatments like drapes or shades for my kitchen windows?

Many fabric window treatments like draperies or shades can easily get stained, so they’re impractical for a busy kitchen. The moisture and humidity in a kitchen may result in some funky smells seeping into the fabric.

What’s the best color for my kitchen shutters or blinds?

For the kitchen, we recommend a neutral color. A solid white or off-white is a great options, as they’ll match any modern appliances or countertops you might put in down the road. Blacks and browns also work well.

Which window treatment should I get if my kitchen window uses a lever to open?

If your kitchen windows open via lever, you can still put in shutters. We offer shutters with cut-out panels, giving you full access to your window.

Which kitchen window treatments are heat-resistant?

Polywood plantation shutters are fire-resistant, and will never scorch even from longterm exposure to heat, whether from the sun or from the range.

During a kitchen remodel, when should I install new window treatments?

Your window treatments, no matter if they’re shutters, blinds, or shades, should be one of the last things you do 90% of the time. However, there’s a benefit to involving your window treatment installer early in your redesign to coordinate timelines, and better match styles and colors.

Get The Kitchen of Your Dreams With Better Window Treatments

Polywood shutters and faux wood blinds are our top picks for most Chicago kitchens, but yours may be better off with a third option. For some personal attention for your windows, schedule a free in-home consultation with one of Sunburst’s window experts. Call us at 847-250-6544 or use the form below.

And for window treatment picks for the other rooms in your home, check out our Total Room Window Guide.

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