Chances are the kitchen is the central hub of your home. However, functionality usually trumps aesthetics when designing your ideal kitchen. Express Bi-Folding Doors, along with their interior stylist Jade Oliver and Managing Director Steve Bromberg, are changing that narrative, demonstrating that style and practicality can coexist harmoniously, especially when it comes to kitchen windows.

So, if you want to give your kitchen an aesthetic remodel, consider getting new windows. The experts at Express Bi-Folding Doors shared their top tips with Home & Texture on everything from getting more privacy in your kitchen to enhancing lighting in the morning and evening.

The First Steps

“Kitchens are one of the most hectic rooms in the house and the warmest and most humid due to the amount of cooking we do, so ventilation is key,” says Oliver. “Kitchen windows need to be able to open easily and positioned slightly higher than the rest of the house.”

This lays the groundwork for selecting windows that are highly functional and stylish.

Types of Kitchen Windows to Consider

Single Sliding Windows

These windows are great for compact kitchens that don’t have enough space for wide panoramic windows. A single sliding window is great for providing ventilation while cooking.

Dual Casement Windows

A dual set of casement windows offers ventilation and is ideal for traditional and contemporary design styles. Pair with cafe blinds for the perfect ambiance.

Top-Hung Casement windows

These are similar to dual casement windows. Top-hung windows have excellent ventilation while enhancing privacy when open.

Picture Windows

If your kitchen has a view of the backyard or garden, these windows are essential. They’re not the best for ventilation, so you should pair them with a casement window.

Openable Skylight

Openable skylights are great for providing ventilation and natural light in your kitchen, even though they are not traditional windows.

How to Match Your Kitchen Window to Your Aesthetic

Paint

If you want extra privacy, consider frosting your window. You can also paint the border in the color of your choice.

Shelves

Install a set of shelves above or below the window to boost its profile. Shelves allow you to direct the gaze to a certain area.

Curtains

Oliver advises, “Curtains can add a little bit more life into the room compared to shutters and blinds. Many can easily be thrown in the washing machine, too, if you’re worried about them getting dirty.”

Shutters and Blinds

Add texture to your space with natural wood, reclaimed wood, woven wood, or bamboo shades, blinds, or shutters. If you’re using shutters, remember to give them enough space to open fully.

Decorative Accents

Add some character to your window with decorative accents such as hanging lights, wall sconces, or hanging houseplants.