A set of high-quality Venetian blinds is a fine addition to any window in your home, and these unique blinds are particularly popular in kitchens for their easy adjustability and attractive, low-profile looks. However, choosing the right Venetian blinds for a kitchen can be more challenging than you might think.

The vast majority of Venetian blinds are made from timber, aluminium or PVC plastic, and some of these materials are much more suited to the unique environment of a busy kitchen than others. If you are looking for Venetian blinds for your kitchen, choosing blinds made from the right material is vital.

Should you choose timber Venetian blinds for your kitchen?

Venetian blinds made from wood (either real or engineered) are very attractive, surprisingly durable and are particularly prized for their ability to block out bright sunshine. Unfortunately, they are generally not suitable for use in kitchens.

Kitchens tend to be warmer and more humid than the other rooms in your home, especially while you are cooking or cleaning. Because timber is an absorbent material, wooden Venetian blinds will absorb water from this humid kitchen air, causing them to warp and peel. You may be able to use wooden Venetian blinds safely in a particularly well-ventilated, open-plan kitchen, but in most cases, they are best avoided.

Should you choose aluminium Venetian blinds for your kitchen?

Aluminium Venetian blinds are a much more suitable choice for most kitchens and are ideally suited to the moist, muggy conditions of the average kitchen. They are impervious to water damage, as aluminium is a naturally rust-proof metal. They are also highly resistant to accidental impact damage, making them very useful for covering windows over stovetops, sinks and other heavily used areas of your kitchen.

Aluminium Venetian blinds are also a good choice if you are environmentally conscious. Many aluminium blinds are made at least partially with recycled aluminium. They can also be recycled again once you decide to remove or replace them.

However, aluminium Venetian blinds do have a couple of drawbacks. They do nothing to absorb ambient noise and can make for a louder kitchen. They also have a tendency to collect dust, which will need to be removed on a regular basis.

Should you choose PVC plastic Venetian blinds for your kitchen?

PVC plastic Venetian blinds are water-resistant and are an excellent choice if you need new kitchen blinds on a tight budget. These affordable blinds have both style and substance; they are available in an enormous variety of colours and designs, are extremely resistant to damage caused by sunlight exposure and tend to be easier to dust and clean than Venetian blinds made from other materials.

While plastic blinds obviously aren't entirely environmentally friendly, PVC blinds do have green credentials. PVC plastic is an excellent heat insulator, and having PVC Venetian blinds installed in your kitchen can help reduce heat exchange through your windows and lower your air conditioner usage.

The main downside to choosing PVC plastic Venetian blinds is their relative fragility, and cheaper PVC blinds will not stand up well to impacts. Choosing more robust blinds made from thicker plastic will negate this issue, but these larger blinds tend to be bulkier and take up more space around your windows.