Cafe Curtains Are Back—Designers’ Tips for Styling

If there are two adjectives that are used often in the world of interior design, they’re “cozy” and “inviting.” This duo of descriptors capture what everyone hopes their home will feel like after putting in the effort of choosing a palette, shopping for furniture, and arranging accessories just so. Window treatments—though often thought of as more functional aspects of home design—can play a major role in bringing more charm and character to a home. That’s especially true when cafe curtains are involved.

“Cafe curtains have been around forever, but are absolutely in a noticeable resurgence, including in my own home,” designer Emily Henderson says. “They are as sweet as they are functional, since they provide great privacy without blocking a whole window, and with the ‘eclectic English’ look still going strong, it’s the perfect warm accent. But I love when they are used in more modern spaces to add in extra softness, too.”

Given the versatility of this window treatment, and the ease in which its supplies can be purchased and installed, it’s no wonder that cafe curtains have regained popularity as a worthwhile investment for nearly every room. “I also think they hit on a level of nostalgia that we all are in the mood for lately, while still being highly functional,” says Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors. She and designer Colleen O’Neill of Our 1842 Home have also made use of this style recently, and all three professionals are sharing their tips for doing the same in your own surroundings. Read on to get their expert advice for styling cafe curtains.

Choose the Right Fabrics

In order for your cafe curtains to have that effortlessly sophisticated effect, zero your search in on two specific fabrics. “I think cottons or linens are best for cafe curtains,” O’Neill says. Henderson echos this sentiment, explaining that these fabrics are sheer enough to let in sunlight but will still provide privacy.

Common spaces that typically face public streets, like kitchens and living rooms, would benefit most from these types of fabrics, while Oholendt notes that she would diverge slightly from this path in powder rooms and bathrooms. “In these cases, I’d either attach a privacy lining or pick a slightly heavier-weighted fabric,” she says. Just don’t go too heavy, or the curtains will look bulky and uneven on the rod.

“One last note,” Oholendt adds. “I love a simple pinch-pleat for cafe curtains. It feels elevated without feeling formal, and hangs exceptionally nicely in comparison to other methods.”

Lean on Familiar Patterns

Cafe curtains just seem friendly, which is why the best patterns for this treatment tend to be the most familiar. “I love a pretty floral, check, stripe, or block print to keep things casual,” O’Neill says.

These prints can complement a spectrum of traditional and modern spaces, whether it’s to add more color to a relatively minimal slate or to heighten a kaleidoscope of shades within a more maximalist room. Henderson paired stripes and plaids together in her own home—sticking to a cohesive blue palette throughout—and says that the choice ultimately comes down to the design. “In the right room, you can make a case for any pattern,” she says. Oholendt agrees with that flexibility, with one asterisk. “While I don’t think there are any hard-and-fast rules, I do think large-scale patterns don’t translate as well to cafe curtains,” she says.

Pay Attention to Placement

How you install your curtain rod will depend on how much light and privacy you’re hoping to receive, but there are still some guidelines to follow so that your vision will match reality. O’Neill recommends a brass rod with rings for a classic feel, but no matter which material you choose, know that it can be installed as a tension rod, too (a win for rental-friendly style!).

Typically, you’ll want to place the rod a few inches above the center of the window, ensuring that the fabric will fall just above the window sill without touching it. “For larger, double or triple-window stretches, size up your rod diameter so it doesn’t sag in the middle,” Oholendt suggests. “But for single-window stretches or smaller double windows, you can typically get away with a smaller rod that’s between ⅜-inch and ½-inch in diameter.”

And lastly, don’t be afraid to use cafe curtains as a way to express yourself over time. Once the hardware is in place, this can be a spot to change fabrics seasonally or as you see fit. In other words, it’s the perfect excuse to make something old feel new—again and again. “Cafe curtains tend to be a more moderate investment than traditional window treatments, so they’re an easy and economical thing to change,” Oholendt says.