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Key Takeaways#

• Cafe curtains can work well in the right spaces, such as charming kitchens or cutesy kids’ spaces.
• Skip cafe curtains if you’re aiming for an elevated, chic aesthetic; they tend to feel more casual.
• Fabric, pattern, and hardware choices can help cafe curtains look both intentional and refined.

Beautiful window treatments are a must-have in any well-styled room, but it can be hard to know what design will work best. Lately, we’ve been intrigued by the rise of cafe curtains.

In case you’re unfamiliar, these curtains are positioned to hang around the midpoint of the window, offering privacy while still letting in light. While they certainly have a classic feel—reminiscent of a cozy coffee shop or a Parisian bistro—it’s hard to tell if cafe curtains are a fleeting trend in home design.

With this question in mind, we turned to a few design experts to find out their thoughts.

Meet the Expert#

• Brittny Button is an interior designer and the founder of Button Atelier. 
• John Stivale and Steven Graffam are interior designers and co-founders of Stivale Graffam Home.

Are Cafe Curtains Here to Stay?#

Credit:

Ashley Montgomery Design

As it turns out, it’s not a straightforward yes or no answer. In fact, the designers we spoke with were quite split on determining whether cafe curtains are a fleeting trend or a permanent staple. Designer John Stivale, for example, calls them a classic—as long as they’re used in the right context.

“Cafe curtains have a long design lineage,” says Stivale. “They’ve been used in European interiors for decades, often in ways that feel both practical and charming.”

On the other hand, designer Brittny Button sees them as a current fad and can’t imagine this look is here to stay.

“They’re definitely fleeting, and tend to read as cutesy,” Button says. “[Use them] where the decor is more sweet natured and interplays with this theme.”

Still, they have a functional purpose that is definitely appealing.

“They help with privacy and still allow for lots of natural light,” Button says.

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How to Style Cafe Curtains#

Credit:

Becca Interiors

If you’re keen on using cafe curtains in your own home, there are ways to make them work. Button suggests using them behind your kitchen sink, or perhaps above a banquet seating area.

“They cut the line of the window, drawing more attention to what is located in front of it,” says Button. “The focus becomes the sink or the seating area.”

Cafe curtains are inherently casual, so Button says it’s key to make sure the style matches the rest of your space. But if you really have your heart set on cafe curtains, Button says it’s important to pick the right pattern. Try a small checkered print, stripes, a quiet floral, or something in linen.

“Pinch pleating at the top adds some formality to their look,” Button adds. “Think about amplifying the charm aspect of these mini curtains.” 

Designer Steven Graffam agrees, noting that he feels it’s less about where you use your cafe curtains and more about styling them with intention and restraint. With this in mind, he suggests high-quality, natural fabrics in a soft neutral or subtle stripe to bring elegance that doesn’t feel fussy.

“Mount them just above mid-window height to allow for privacy while still letting in natural light,” Graffam says. “For a refined look, I prefer a simple rod with minimal hardware, often in un-lacquered brass or matte black.”

3 Other Chic Window Treatments #

Credit:

Becca Interiors

If you’re not sure about cafe curtains, there are plenty of other window treatment options to explore.

Roman Shades#

Credit:

Becca Interiors

These blinds are a classic for a reason, but Buttons says you can elevate yours with a more relaxed finish at the bottom, which has a soft, round shape. 

"They offer a touch of glamour to a window and still remain timeless when executed in a soft sheer or linen material," says Button.

Sheer Drapes#

Credit:

Ashley Montgomery Design

If you’re looking for something that can offer some privacy but still let in a lot of light, sheer drapes are another option. This works especially well when paired with a more traditional blind, and is more classic than cafe curtains.

"This reads as heightened European feeling and is supremely classical looking," says Button.

Floor-skimming Linen Panels#

Credit:

Ashley Montgomery Design

For another light, bright classic, Graffam suggests linen panels that are designed with a custom fit.

"The key is custom fit—window treatments should feel integrated, not like an afterthought," he says. "Always hang drapes high and wide to make windows feel larger and more architectural."