Advice
The Best Blinds for Bathrooms and Kitchens
Steam, splashes and grease. Which blinds and shutters cope in bathrooms and kitchens, which to avoid, and why real wood is a no.
By the Emerald Interiors team 3 min read
Bathrooms and kitchens are the hardest-working rooms in the house, and the hardest on whatever’s at the window. Steam, splashes and cooking all take their toll, so the right choice here is as much about materials as it is about looks.
The short answer: go for a water-resistant roller blind, a faux wood or aluminium venetian blind, or waterproof PVC shutters. Avoid real wood, and keep fabric blinds like Romans away from the shower.
What goes wrong with the wrong blind
Real wood can warp in steam, and ordinary fabrics aren’t made to be wiped down. In a kitchen, anything near the hob or sink needs cleaning more often than you’d think. A blind that’s right for a bedroom can look tired in a bathroom surprisingly quickly.
The best options
Water-resistant roller blinds
Our most popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens. The fabric is made for damp rooms and wipes clean, they come in hundreds of colours and patterns, and they’re one of the most affordable options: about £85 for a 60 × 90 cm bathroom window. Cords are fitted with child-safety devices as standard, or you can go motorised with no cords at all.
Faux wood and aluminium venetian blinds
Venetians are one of the best choices for both rooms, because the slats wipe clean easily and tilt to give you privacy while still letting light in. That makes them ideal for a bathroom window that’s overlooked. Choose faux wood for the look of wood without the risk of warping, or aluminium for slim slats in lots of colours. Save real wood for drier rooms.
Waterproof shutters
If you love the look of shutters, waterproof PVC plantation shutters won’t warp in steam, and the louvres tilt for privacy. They’re a bigger investment than blinds but last for many years. PVC shutters are also quicker to make than wood: usually 4–5 weeks rather than around 12.
Perfect Fit blinds and shutters
For uPVC windows, Perfect Fit blinds clip into the window with no drilling and move with it when you open it. There are no cords dangling near the sink and the window sill stays completely clear, which is handy behind a tap. Choose a PVC roller for the easiest cleaning, or Perfect Fit shutters, which clip in the same way.
Perfect Fit shutters over a kitchen sink, fitted by our team.
What to avoid
- Real wood venetians. Beautiful in a lounge, but not in steam.
- Roman blinds in shower rooms. They’re fabric through and through. A Roman can work in a kitchen window away from the hob, but not where it’ll get wet.
- Day & night and triple shade blinds by the sink or shower. Lovely fabrics, but not made for splashes.
- Long curtains near a hob. Keep them well away from cooking.
Room by room
| Window | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom, overlooked | Faux wood or aluminium venetian | Tilts for privacy, wipes clean |
| Bathroom, frosted glass | Water-resistant roller | Simple, affordable, wipe-clean |
| Shower room | Waterproof shutters or a PVC roller | Built for steam |
| Over the kitchen sink | Perfect Fit or a water-resistant roller | No cords in the way, easy to clean |
| Kitchen door | PVC vertical blind | Wipe-clean louvres, draws fully back |
| Kitchen-diner | Venetians in the kitchen, something softer by the table | Practical where you cook, cosy where you eat |
A note on cleaning
Even the toughest blinds need a little care. Dust venetian slats and shutter louvres regularly, and wipe them with a soft, slightly damp cloth when needed. Water-resistant roller fabrics can be wiped down too.
Not sure what suits your room?
We bring samples of every water-resistant fabric and finish to your free home visit, so you can see and feel them in the room they’re for. Book a free home visit, or try our price calculator for a rough price first.
