How to dress the windows in your kitchen
One of the easiest ways to add some wow factor to your kitchen and perhaps attract potential buyers is to creatively dress your kitchen windows. Real estate agents advise that one sure-fire way to create a look that sells is to focus on window treatments. So whether you are just looking to liven up your kitchen or you are preparing to put your home on the market here is what you need to know about how to dress up the windows in your kitchen-
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- Remember that minimal is in. A good way to start with your windows is to strip away any heavy window coverings and replace them with simple shades. If you are trying to appeal to potential buyers, younger buyers in particular are into a streamlined look but no one seems to want a lot of fabric on any window.
- Lighten up your window's look-It is important to keep in mind that not enough natural light in the kitchen is highly annoying to work in and is a real deterrent to buyers. A pleated shade offers a privacy treatment and will still allow plenty of light. Anything that brings in more light and makes the kitchen an easy place to work in is well worth the investment.
- Use current colors-While there are many places in the home to stay away from trends the window dressings in your kitchen can reflect the latest trends in color. Once you are tired of it or colors have changed you can replace the window coverings inexpensively and easily. A general rule of thumb is if you are using fabric, you should make sure it is in a contemporary tone. Interior designers report that the terra cotta shades, with persimmons, peaches and oranges are very 'in' mixed with greens, blacks and golds. Keep in mind that you can also mix cotton fabric prints, either within a treatment or coordinating a print in the valance or cornice with another print on the cushion tie seats or place mats. There are special considerations you should take into account if your kitchen is particularly tiny. Using light, cool colors can make it look larger and brighter, while dark, warm colors can make an oversized kitchen more inviting.
- Try adding some texture-Another hot trend to try out in your kitchen is using Roman shades made of rattan, bamboo or other natural fibers. These shades add visual interest with their texture, but will still roll up smoothly like the Roman shades of old.
- Soften the direct light-While having enough light is certainly an issue having too much direct sunlight is also an issue in kitchens. This is because it makes it hot and unpleasant to work in. Simple wood blinds or woven wood shades can filter the light without looking too heavy.
- Consider adding some curves-Since there are typically lots of straight lines in the kitchen (the cabinets, the appliances, the counters) everything is straight or square. It is always a good idea to add a window treatment with soft curves to open the space up, especially if you have a small kitchen. Another good option is to arch a valance particularly over the sink. Other options include a curved cornice, a box-pleated valance with a curved line along the bottom or a London Shade that is nearly flat at the top but falls from inverted pleats to gentle swags along the bottom, with wings at either side.
- Ask for the right price-Window treatments figure in heavily if they are custom made for a particular window. When you are selling or buying a house remember that custom window treatments are fixed to the wall, which is a negotiation point and ordinarily means that they are required to be left at the house. Make sure that you calculate that when you are figuring the price.
