Kitchen Window Coverings: What Works Best for Style & Function

The kitchen is the heart of the home. Not only is it the center of all communication, but it is the busiest room in the house. So, why not set it up to shine? Kitchen window coverings are a great addition to any kitchen. They help determine the atmosphere of the room, are energy efficient, provide light control, and bring your style together.

Things to Consider with Kitchen Window Coverings

With kitchen window coverings, it’s important to think about the way you use the space to help you make the best choices for your home. Depending on what’s important to you in your own kitchen, consider which fabrics or materials will serve you best, which types of window coverings offer the best features and benefits, and how you would like your window treatments to perform at the window.

Privacy & Natural Light

It’s very common in homes to see a window placed over the kitchen sink. This window lets in natural light and allows you to enjoy a scenic view while washing the dishes. In this location, it’s important to think about whether you need continual coverage, like shutters, or shades adjusted down just slightly. Your choices can depend on your home’s privacy or lighting, but consider how the material you choose could be affected by splashes of water by the sink.

gold metal blinds in modern kitchen fort myers
Modern Precious Metals® Aluminum Blinds

 

Light & Glare Control

In today’s world, we aren’t spending as much time at the sink—thank goodness for dishwashers!—but the window over the sink continues to be popular in home designs today. We do see homeowners place window treatments over these windows due to privacy, glare or the heat of the sun. In this part of the kitchen, in addition to materials, operating features are another example of choices you’ll need to make. Motorized shades would be a great option, especially since you can easily raise your smart shades using voice control with Hunter Douglas PowerView® Automation.

kitchen shades to increase light but decrease glare in Fort Myers FL
Pirouette® Window Shades

 

Moisture & Heat Resistance

Another consideration for kitchen window covering material? The role moisture and heat play within the space. Windows closer to the stove area would do best with hard treatments, like shutters or blinds. Palm Beach™ Vinyl Shutters will handle the moisture and heat inside and outside without warping, cracking or yellowing. These shutters will remain looking and functioning great for years to come.

traditional kitchen with white palm beach shutters by Hunter Douglas Fort Myers
White Palm Beach™ PolySatin™ Shutters

 

Cleaning & Maintenance

Many kitchen window coverings offer easy maintenance and cleaning. Hard treatments can be wiped and dusted. Window shades can be dusted and spot-cleaned. Motorized window treatments carry an unexpected benefit—hands-free control leads to less mess over the years.

smart phone controls the automated window coverings
PowerView® Automation

 

Best Types of Window Coverings for Kitchens

Many styles of window coverings work well in kitchens because they are easy to use, stylish, and can be operated remotely with an app or voice control. Discover which styles might best suit your home.

Roller Shades

Roller shades offer beautiful style and function at the kitchen window. From contemporary fabrics to various opacities (think sheer to room-darkening), the possibilities are endless.

gray and white patterned roller shades in kitchen Fort Myers FL
Designer Roller Shade

 

Sheer Shades

In the kitchen, Silhouette® shades offer gentle elegance. They set the ambiance for the room, but also balance light, control privacy, and let you customize them for your home. Best for areas that need filtered light and your larger picture windows.

kitchen sink with window behind it covered by window shade
Silhouette® Sheer Shades

 

Faux Wood Blinds

Window blinds are a budget-friendly option for kitchen window coverings. Everwood faux wood blinds combine form and function for your Fort Myers area home. Customize them for specialty-shaped windows, cordless operation for child safety, and ease of use. You’ll enjoy privacy and light control with the convenience of custom blinds. Best for individual windows where settings stay the same most days. (A beautiful set and forget option!)

hunter douglas kitchen blinds faux wood blinds Fort Myers FL
Everwood® Alternative Wood Blinds

 

Roman Shades

For kitchen window coverings, Roman shades are a timeless, popular choice. They let you personalize and customize the shades with gorgeous fabrics, offer the top down bottom up feature, while providing energy-efficiency and light control. Motorization features are available. The best place for kitchen roman shades are areas where the light and heat are intense. Being able to block those outdoor elements will bring a sense of relief! Homeowners love custom roman shades in a kitchen nook.

roman blinds in breakfast nook
Custom Roman Shades

 

Honeycomb Shades

Duette Honeycomb shades offer comfort and style for kitchen window coverings. They can be customized for specialty shapes, hard-to-reach windows, dual shade options and skylight coverings. They do it all! They are known for energy efficiency and are best for those kitchens that get lots of light and need good coverage.

Windows with honeycomb shades above a kitchen sink
Duette® Honeycomb shades can block intense heat and sun

 

Coordinate Your Windows and Doors

In kitchens, windows and doors are often in the same shared space. If you have a sliding glass door, patio door or a set of French doors, you may be left wondering which style of kitchen window coverings will look good while simultaneously being functional.

Kitchen with Stormy Gray Roller Shade Fabrics.
Skyline® Gliding Panels & Designer Roller Shades cover doors & windows in the same fabrics

Using the same window coverings for both the doors and windows is always a possibility. At times, homeowners prefer the movement of the shade to match the movement of the door. Consider using similar or matching fabrics that can be paired with horizontal and vertical shades. This will provide an excellent look to any kitchen space!

What to Look Out for in Kitchen Window Treatments

As you narrow down kitchen window coverings, it’s helpful to think through how each area of the kitchen is used and what conditions the window treatments will face. For example, heavy fabrics placed near the sink may retain moisture, while lighter shades or blinds are typically easier to clean and maintain. Long drapery panels can still work beautifully in kitchens, but they’re best positioned away from sinks and prep areas—often on larger windows where function and airflow aren’t a concern. When in doubt, choosing materials designed for easy upkeep will help your kitchen window coverings look better for longer.

Dine In

If your kitchen includes a dine-in eating area, it’s likely surrounded by windows—which can be both a benefit and a challenge. Natural light and outdoor views make meals more enjoyable, but depending on the time of day and window orientation, glare and heat can quickly become an issue.

A light colored eat in dining space with gray cellular roller shades rolled halfway down the window.
Sonnette™ Cellular Roller Shades offer light control and temperature control

Choosing the right window coverings can help balance comfort and visibility, reducing glare while keeping the space cooler. With the right solution, your dine-in area can easily become one of the most comfortable and inviting spots in the home.

Built for Real Life

The kitchen is the hardest-working room in your home, and window coverings should be able to keep up. Between cooking, cleaning, and everyday activity, it’s important to select shutters, blinds, or shades that can handle moisture, heat, and frequent use. Durable materials and finishes designed for busy spaces will help ensure your window treatments continue to function well and look great over time.

dark kitchen shutters behind sink in Naples, FL
Heritance® Hardwood Shutters

 

Unique Kitchen Window Covering Options

If you’re looking for versatile or upgraded features, there are several options that work especially well in kitchens. Top-down, bottom-up shades allow light to enter from above while maintaining privacy below—ideal for windows near sinks or when neighboring homes are within view.

soft fabric window shades on black trim patio doors overlooking outdoor space

Motorized shades are another popular choice, offering hands-free control and the ability to schedule light throughout the day using an app or smart home system. Cordless options add an extra layer of safety for homes with children or pets while keeping the space clean and uncluttered.

kitchen insulated shades cellular motorized shades Fort Myers FL
Applause® Honeycomb Shades

These features give you greater control over how your kitchen window coverings function, making daily life a little easier.

Let’s Get Started

At Home Blinds & Decor is ready to assist you in making your home functional for your daily life. Contact our team today and one of our expert designers will work with you one-on-one during a FREE in-home or showroom consultation. Need help choosing the right window coverings? We are eager to help you as you begin searching for kitchen window coverings that will control the heat, glare, privacy and light in your home!