kitchen ideas

For small kitchens with the luxury of natural light, play up the windows with a classic Roman shade. Hang treatments in this contemporary style at the window above the kitchen sink or arrange them in a row if you have a set of bay windows. The tried-and-true style, commonly made of cotton and linen, can also be spiced up with a fun textile. Though mostly kept drawn, Roman shades can also roll down. In the tight quarters of your small kitchen, be cautious of spatter from nearby cooking. Like anything made from a high-quality fabric, your curtains should be dry-cleaned sparingly.

Another window topper to accentuate your small kitchen is a valance. This narrow, decorative swath of fabric is placed across window tops without being overwhelming. Valances are the ultimate in versatility because they can either be designed as a straightforward swag placed on a rod or mounted on a shapely board and upholstered to give your window frame some architectural interest. For a valance or any window treatment style, consider choosing a fabric that's also used in the adjoining room in order to tie the two rooms together.

Floor-length curtain panels elongate a space and add a big dose of sophistication. Let rod-mounted curtains frame the windows around your family table or the built-in breakfast nook.
Customizing the edges with a decorative trim is a small change that makes a major design impact.
Finally, the fabric-free window-treatment styles aren't to be forgotten! Hard-working wooden shutters and pull-down shades offer protection from too much sunlight streaming into your small kitchen, as well as privacy from neighbors.