These windy half curtains are turn up in privy , entranceway , and beyond .
Erica George Dines
Window treatments seem in virtually every room in the star sign , but the kitchen has long been neglected , thanks to flow of air pauperization and cooking residue . That is , until recently : Café curtains over the sink have made quite the comeback . These half - sized classic window covering allow in ample lightness for preparation work , while adding just enough privacy and charm .

Credit:Erica George Dines
And their widespread appeal is n’t limited to kitchen any longer . internal designers are now hanging kitchen mantle in bathrooms , laundry room , and entryways for a softer , more tailored flavour . We spoke with an interior designer and curtain maker who is convinced these shade can do more than just complement a cooking or dining space — and she has the styling tips to establish it .
Haley Weidenbaumis an interior designer and the conscientious objector - founder ofEverhem , an on-line resource for custom windowpane screening .
What Are Café Curtains?
Café curtains ( aka kitchen curtains ) are fabric window coverings that cover just the bottom half of a windowpane . A nod to Old - World kitchen , the flair has grow in popularity alongside aesthetic like farmhouse andcottagecore .
“ They ’re the stark blend of plan and subprogram — which , when it comes towindow treatments , is the ultimate win , ” say co - founder of Everhem , Haley Weidenbaum . “ Cafe curtains typically cover the lower half to three - twenty-five percent of a window , which mean they provide privateness precisely where you need it : at eye level . Most windows are placed so the top portion sits above that line anyway , so you ’re not sacrificing much privateness while still letting in light . "
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Why You Should Design with Café Curtains
Café curtains have a charm and craftsmanship that sense nostalgic and knowing . And because they cover less space , you’re able to bebolder with patternor color — Weidenbaum pronounce to call up of them as a modest canvas with a big impact . you’re able to try out with them over and over without incurring a significant cost . “ A lead of color in a stripe , gingham , or a small - scale convention is perfect for café curtains , ” Weidenbaum says .
Visually , they allow the architecture of a windowpane radiance , which is especially important in honest-to-goodness homes with natural carpentry . or else of underwrite a beautiful feature , café mantle let you enhance and highlight it .
“ What I jazz most is that they ’re often an unexpected conception selection . When done right on , they make a way feel thoughtful and curated , ” Weidenbaum says . “ I hope that when people see a elbow room with café curtains , they think to themselves , ' That ’s the perfect touching — I would n’t have think of that , but it entirely makes the space . ' ”

Credit:Isabel Parra / Interior for a Life in Good Taste by Caroline Gidiere
Isabel Parra / Interior for a Life in Good Taste by Caroline Gidiere
Café Curtain Ideas Beyond Kitchen Windows
upcountry designers like Weidenbaum insist that you could install café curtains in rooms besides the kitchen or dining elbow room . Here are a few unexpected places to incorporate them .
Entryways
Weidenbaum saysentrywaywindows are a swell spot for cafe curtains — you get privacy without stuff your view entirely , and you’re able to still catch up with a glimpse out of doors . Install them on your front window or get them tradition - set for the looking glass insert on your door .
Jessica Bratter
Powder Rooms
Bathrooms might not seem like the most ideal seat for café curtains , but they ’re astonishingly effective here : “ In quad like pulverization rooms , where full dimout or full privacy are n’t necessary , but you still desire some privacy and some swooning control , coffee shop curtains come across the veracious Libra , ” Weidenbaum says .
According to the clothes designer , the half shades let in ample natural light while covering just enough of the window to give you that privacy where it weigh .
If privacy is a concern but you ’re cast to the feeling of café curtains , Weidenbaum suggests opting for a thicker fabric like a linen - cotton fiber portmanteau word , or add a concealment line to achieve the reporting you want .

Play Rooms
foot out a colorful , playful pattern for your child ’s favorite space . “ I make out [ café curtains ] inkids ’ playroomsor family living quad , ” Weidenbaum allege , lend how they bring a touch of whimsy and warmth to way that are full of life-time and activity . “ It ’s that piffling detail that makes a space sense more lived - in and loved . "
Around Sinks
allot to Weidenbaum , one of the most charming and functional uses for café curtains is to add a skirt around a sinkhole — particularly in a bathroom , laundry way , or even avintage - inspired kitchen .
“ It softens the space , hides storage , and adds a tinge of personality without the bulk of cabinetry , ” she articulate . TikTok creators have also been wrap up dishwashers with stylish café curtains for a wizardly , cottagecore look .
Cameron Sadeghpour

Credit:Isabel Parra / Interior for a Life in Good Taste by Caroline Gidiere
Café Curtain Styling Tips
The most important piece of music of styling advice to commemorate : set up your café mantle as close to the middle of the window as you may . Simply mount your computer hardware at the vertical halfway point . If there are storage-battery grid lines on your window , Weidenbaum recommends going with the horizontal line that lands secretive to the perpendicular halfway point .
Also , do n’t be afraid to go bold where you usually wouldn’t — use bass , complex colouring and patterns . Weidenbaum suggests a double panel for instant volume and a touch modality of luxurious fullness , creating a more dramatic andvisually - appealing windowscape .
Ideal Fabrics
In oecumenical , stick to lightweight material for café curtains . " They clothe nicely , hold their configuration , and permit movement without finger bulky , ” Weidenbaum says . “ You need something that hang cleanly but does n’t feel stiff . " prefer fabrics like100 % linen paper , linen - cotton wool blends , or a sheer . Each offers an airy , relaxed feel and let in just the good amount of light .
Avoid grueling materials like velvet or any thicker fabric , which tends to bet too thick and structured . " I ’d steer clear of anything too heavy or stiff — it can overwhelm the lowly scale of a cafe drape and wo n’t create the same soft , effortless look , " Weidenbaum enounce .

Credit:Jessica Bratter

Credit:Cameron Sadeghpour