Café curtains: the guide to choosing the right one

What is a café curtain

The café curtain, also called a glazing curtain, is a short sheer panel fixed directly onto the window frame, usually at mid-height. It covers the lower part of the glass to protect you from prying eyes without darkening the room. It is as much a decorative element as a privacy screen.

Café curtain, sheer panel or glazing curtain: the differences

The terms are often confused. The café curtain and the glazing curtain refer to the same short curtain fixed to the frame. The sheer panel, on the other hand, is a large lightweight panel fixed to the wall or ceiling on a rod or rail, covering the whole window. The café curtain dresses the bottom, the sheer panel dresses everything. You can also combine the two.

Transparent or light-filtering: choose according to the light

Transparency determines light and privacy. A transparent café curtain, made of very light voile, lets in maximum light but offers little protection from close-up views. A light-filtering café curtain, made of slightly denser fabric, filters the light and conceals more. The right choice depends on your exposure and how close your neighbours are. To understand the levels between transparent and opaque, see our article on blackout, light-filtering or opaque.

For which windows

The café curtain is ideal wherever you want privacy without losing light:

• Ground-floor windows facing the street or garden, exposed to view.
• Kitchens and bathrooms, where you want to conceal without darkening.
• Glazed doors and door windows, where a large curtain would get in the way of opening.

How to mount a café curtain

The café curtain mounts on a sash rod, a thin rod fixed directly onto the frame, at the top and sometimes at the bottom to keep the fabric taut. Many systems exist without drilling, for example clip-on or suction-cup rods, useful on a PVC window or in a rental. Our article on hanging a curtain without drilling covers these options.

What dimensions

For the width, measure the rod the curtain will hang on and add about 20 to 30% to keep fullness and a nice drape. For the height, there is no strict rule: choose according to the part of the window you want to conceal and the view you want to keep. For unusual windows or a precise fit, made-to-measure avoids guesswork. Our size guide explains how to take your measurements.

Fabrics and styles

The café curtain comes in many fabrics: polyester voile, cotton, linen for a natural feel, or even lace and macramé for a more decorative style. The pattern and the fabric set the tone, from the most understated to the most charming.

Frequently asked questions

To dress your windows to the exact dimensions, Kurtens makes curtains to measure and is expanding its range with new fabrics and styles. Explore our made-to-measure curtains.