Designers explain why the nostalgic cafe curtain is both appealing and practical.
Key Takeaways
- Café curtains have made their return, bringing classic appeal and filtering gentle light into rooms.
- Hanging café curtains is simple, they function best in kitchens and bathrooms, and bring a touch of charming nostalgia to any room.
- For achieving this style, opt for lightweight materials like linen or cotton, charming prints, and minimalistic fixtures such as a brass pole.
Prepare your windows, as café curtains are staging a comeback. Although they might remind you of your grandmother’s delicately sewn drapes, these curtains shouldn’t be left behind due to their potential to enhance any room with color, design, and material variety.
Something ageless can be found in cafe curtains, which pay homage to an earlier time. They provide seclusion while still allowing abundant natural light. These delicate window treatments, whether made from linen, cotton, or playful fabrics, remain a top choice among designers.
straightforward to DIY
, and works with styles ranging from cottagecore to coastal, and all those in between.
Why Cafe Curtains Are Back In Style
They Offer Classic Charm
“Something undeniably classic can be found in cafe curtains. These fixtures, infused with Old World allure, adorn charming kitchens and neighborhood bistros alike. Offering a touch of romanticism, they remain perpetually fashionable,” according to Texas-based designer.
Kara Childress
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For Ally-Catherine Trenary of
June St. George
The cafe curtains carry her back to her grandparents’ house in Mississippi: “Their sole bathroom had a powder-blue tub adorned with a delicate white cafe curtain,” she explains. “Later, my grandma also put up cafe curtains on the kitchen window. This was a tactical decision providing sufficient privacy to block the heat and allow her to observe anyone approaching down the driveway.”
They’re Subtle and Low-Lift
The appeal of a cafe curtain lies in more than just its undeniable charm; it succeeds because it doesn’t overcomplicate things. As Trenary notes, “Cafe curtains work best when they’re lightweight and organic, rather than rigid or cumbersome.”
“I believe the fondness associated with cafe curtains stems from their ability to appear charming and delightful, all while serving a practical purpose,” explains North Carolina-based designer.
Virginia Wyatt
When privacy is required but heavy curtain panels are not desired, café curtains offer an ideal solution.
They Enhance and Define an Area
Beyond offering a touch of European charm, cafe curtains also help to gently refine a room. “These curtains speak softly instead of loudly, adding a subtle hint of nostalgia into what would otherwise be a very contemporary setting,” explains Trenary. He continues, emphasizing how he frequently discovers that such minor elements—like a drape reminiscent of grandma’s cozy kitchen—can imbue a house with genuine warmth and character through his design projects.
Where Should You Place Café Curtains?
In which areas would you typically install a café curtain? Kitchens and bathrooms are ideal choices. As stated by Birmingham-based experts, “These locations are the most fashionable and practical for such curtains.”
Danielle Balanis
Matching matches perfectly is my favorite approach to styling them.
For Austin-based designer
Shannon Eddings
Café curtains are ideal for spaces where complete privacy isn’t necessary. They allow sunlight to come through “and add a delightful charm.” According to her, kitchens and bathrooms are the most frequent spots where she installs these curtains.
Ways to Attain the Desired Appearance
Opt for a Lightweight Material
According to Childress, an ideal café curtain should be made from linen and cotton because these materials have “some heft which allows them to drape nicely and add coziness without being too cumbersome.” She adds, “The fittings I choose are understated, and I position the curtains slightly above the center of each window. This creates a pleasing equilibrium that makes the space feel more welcoming but doesn’t make it seem cramped.”
Choose a Statement-Making Pattern
Alabama designer
Cyndy Candley
She has always had a soft spot for café curtains because they use minimal material. According to her philosophy, “Invest in an exquisite piece,” she advises. Use a cherished design to block the sight of your neighbor’s home. Additionally, she considers café curtains ideal for experimenting with metal combinations. As an example, she mentions, “A brass curtain rod paired with dainty rings works beautifully.”
Pair with Complementary Hardware
Texas designer
Audrey Scheck
She echoes this viewpoint by preferring brass fittings and using them frequently to enhance kitchens or bathrooms. “What I particularly adore,” she explains, “is their appearance paired with a slender brass pole and a light, patterned drapery.” According to her, when selecting cafe-style curtains, one should seek out fabrics that convey an enduring, laid-back aesthetic.
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