About Cafe Curtains

Cafe curtains, which originated in Vienna in the 19th century, are the perfect choice when you need to gain some privacy and add a decorative element, but still have natural light coming through your windows.

History

Back in the 1800s, some clever cafe owner came up with the idea of having curtains covering half the windows in his restaurant. His patrons could still have a view of the street and who might happen to be walking by without sacrificing all their dining privacy.
Cafe curtains have maintained their basic form and function since the 19th century, though of course the places where they are used and the types of fabric available have changed with the years.

Function

Like most curtains, cafe curtains are meant to provide privacy, enhance the decor of a room and filter the light coming through the windows. Unlike most curtains, however, cafe curtains cover only half a window, either the bottom or the top. Their shortened length allows light to come in and people to see out, while still providing some privacy for the people inside the house and reducing some of the light and glare.

Types

The types of cafe curtains are as various as the types of fabric used to make them. While the basic concept is the same, the choice of fabric can create a cafe curtain that is subdued or cheerful, more formal or more casual, neutral or colorful. The fabric used also affects how much light is blocked and how much insulation is provided by the curtains.
Checked patterns are a traditional choice for American cafe curtains; checks were popularized when they were used for cafe curtains in diners and small-town cafes in the latter half of the 20th century.
Cafe curtains can also be customized with pleats, lace and edging.

Time Frame

Hanging cafe curtains is a quick project that can usually be accomplished in less than an hour, unless you are covering a lot of windows. If you buy your cafe curtains premade, all you need to do for each window is install an appropriately sized curtain rod, put a curtain on it, and place the rod in the window to cover the bottom or top half of the window, whichever you prefer.
Making cafe curtains yourself takes a bit more time but is still rather simple. The cafe curtain itself is just a square or rectangular shape, measured to fit half of the window in which it will be used. Once you have picked out and purchased the fabric and curtain rod you want to use, plan for an afternoon to sew your cafe curtains.
Measure the fabric for the amount of window space it will cover, plus an extra 1/2 to 1 inch on the bottom and sides for hems and an extra 4 to 6 inches on the top for a curtain rod pocket. Hem the bottom and sides, then fold the top over toward the back and sew to form a pocket for the curtain rod. Add any decorative elements, such as trim or edging, slide the curtain over the curtain rod, and hang the rod in place.

Considerations

While cafe curtains are very versatile and their style changes according to the fabric used, they are not a good choice when you need complete privacy. Nor do cafe curtains provide very good insulation for windows, as full-length curtains do. Cafe curtains tend to be more informal, and they don't require fancy pulls, ties and decorative curtain rods. This makes them perfect for more casual atmospheres, such as cafes, or for the home. They are particularly favored in the kitchen, where they provide some privacy and a decorative element without sacrificing natural light.

Resources

• How to Make Cafe Curtains