The kitchen is a very unique room in your house. It is the one room that is always a hive of activity. All the other rooms in you house are places to relax and unwind. We lay on the lounge and watch TV, we lean back in our chairs in the dining room and chat casually with friends, and we use our bedroom for the most relaxing past time of all - sleeping. When we're in our kitchen however, we are always doing something. This is why functionality is always the top concern when designing your kitchen. You want things to be easily accessible with the minimum amount of fuss. Unfortunately, many people put so much thought and effort into functionality, they forget about aesthetics, and they end up in a kitchen that frustrates them, despite its ease of use.

As far as kitchen design is concerned, the one thing that will stand out is your kitchen curtains. Most kitchens have their window placed directly over the sink, and the sink is the place you spend the most time at in the kitchen, so your windows become an important focal point. Having curtains that are pleasing to the eye is extremely important, and the style that you choose will have a big effect on the rest of your decorating decisions.

As far as styles are concerned, most people don't go for roman blinds, as they take up too much space on your window, and are difficult to open and close when you have to lean over your sink. For the same reason, shutters are not generally considered very kitchen friendly. Most people prefer a curtain that can be easily slid open and provides a light breezy atmosphere. When choosing a curtain, you will need to keep in mind that the kitchen can be a dirty place. When cooking, you have fat spluttering around, and smoke circulating through the room, and much of this mess can end up on your curtains. Because of this, you should give careful consideration to the material you purchase, and make sure that it is easy to clean.

Kitchen Curtin Valances

The most common setup for kitchen window curtains is the valance. Valances don't serve much functional purpose, but they add a lot of character to your window. They hang off the top of your window, not covering much, but looking decorative. For a little more coverage, you can get a valance and swag. The swag comes down the sides of your window, usually tapering off at the bottom with a ribbon. For a little more privacy, many people prefer the three tier approach. This includes the valance, the swag, and a curtain that covers the bottom half of your window and can be opened and closed as needed.

Of course, all the options mentioned above give you no insulation against extreme temperatures. If you live in a part of the world that gets really cold in winter, or hot in summer, then no combination of valances and swags is going to give you the protection you need. In this case, you will probably want a full length curtain for your window. Many people, when installing full length windows, are then dissatisfied with their decision, because they can only have their curtains opened or closed. The way to alleviate this problem is to get some net curtains and install them behind your full curtain. A net curtain is made of a sheer fabric that provides you with the privacy you need, while still allowing filtered light to pass into your kitchen.