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How To Add Surprisingly Affordable Charm With Café Curtains

Would you believe I started sewing curtains for my mother when I was in high school? I’m not exactly sure what motivated me, but I remember looking at the windows in my sister’s old bedroom and thought how much better they’d look with new curtains. My mom let me choose the peach fabric on my own and I crafted a set of adorable curtains with bow tiebacks without using a pattern. I was quite proud of myself. I’ve been sewing curtains ever since. The most affordable style of curtains (and easiest to make) are cafĂ© curtains. Today I have a collection of them so you can see why they’re so endearing. (This post contains affiliate links – see my privacy policy.)

I love choosing fabrics – especially prints, which are great for cafĂ© curtains. Because the curtains are typically used on the lower half of a window, a print doesn’t overpower the space. In addition to fabric choice is the variety of trims you can add. Ball fringe, also known as pom-pom fringe, is one of my favorites. The chicken print seen on the window below is perfect for a kitchen.

print cafe curtains in kitchenPhoto by Todd Richesin Interiors

 

When you already have a pattern in a room, like the beautiful wallpaper in this gorgeous bathroom, opt for a simple stripe or even a plain fabric. When it comes to café curtains, my favorite way to hang them is with small rings. It adds a little more character.

wallpapered English style bathroomPhoto by Riverside Homes Custom

 

Here’s a great use of these charming curtains. A magnificent view isn’t shielded if you need to close the curtains for privacy. Using full length drapes would be much more expensive, and in my humble opinion, rather heavy for this space. 

neutral bathroom with free standing tubPhoto by Yvonne McFadden LLC

 

When you want to add color to a room but don’t want to commit to new paint or wallpaper, use curtains to do the trick. It’s easy to sew strips of fabric together to create ties for hanging the curtains. And if you don’t want to go to the trouble of sewing them, choose wide trim instead. Just sew the ends of the trim to the top of the fabric and use that to tie them onto the rod. I love matching trims to fabric.

colorful dining banquettePhoto by Tim Andersen Architect

 

How sweet are these little curtains in a breakfast nook? You still get to enjoy the full architectural beauty of the windows. Just pull the little drapes shut at night for privacy. I love the print the homeowner chose. 

print cafe curtains in breakfast nookPhoto by Regarding Design

 

Here’s an example showing the curtains hung one-third of the way down the window. It’s a clever approach for increased privacy while still letting natural light flow into the room. 

transitional bathroomPhoto by Coats Homes

 

Decorative trim doesn’t have to line the edges of the curtains. Consider hiding the hem’s seam line with it. This is such a charming breakfast nook!

breakfast nook boothPhoto by

 

Curtains provide an easy way to play with pattern in a room. You could easily find remnant fabric to cover the lower half of a small window like this one. It’s super inexpensive yet it adds so much appeal.

cafe curtains in wallpapered laundry roomPhoto by Alison Kandler Interior Design

 

Fabric with texture like natural linen makes a great choice for dressing your windows. When you opt for cafĂ© curtains, keep the curtain rod in mind, too. It should complement the room. It’s an opportunity to add a metallic like bronze or gold, or even a bit of black. 

neutral linen curtainsPhoto by Nikki To Photography

 

If you’d rather not make your own curtains, Etsy has a great selection from which to choose!

 

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5 Comments

  1. Another great posting. I have an 1800 brick cottage in Vermont, and love ideas on how to use simple furniture, linens, and cafe curtains (!) to keep it charming and authentic. Thanks!