Cafe Curtains for the Kitchen
Cafe curtains are great for adding privacy to a kitchen. These kitchen curtains span across the lower half of the window leaving a gap above the curtain allowing in plenty of light. Plus you can look out without anyone looking in. They add privacy without blocking the view or the light too much.
As cafe curtains are informal in style, they are particularly suitable for kitchens, in fact it is unlikely that they will be suitable for other rooms in your home. These curtains originated in the cafes of Europe, where they allowed patrons to drink their coffee and enjoy the street scene without being viewed from outside. Because of their origins, they are often called French cafe curtains.
For the heading on cafe style curtains, you can use a simple casement heading through which you slot a rod, which must be positioned at the the right height above the window sill or lower edge. You could also use tab tops or simple tie tops for a heading.
As for fabrics for kitchen cafe curtains, you can use anything from very sheer voile or organza to very heavy cotton or linen. Sheer cafe curtains are best with gathered casement or tie top headings whereas the heavier fabrics are better for tab tops.
If you would like to decorate the top of your windows, you can do so with a window valance and often cafe window curtains and matching valances (so-called kitchen curtain tiers) are sold in a set. These tiered curtains are mainly suitable for family kitchens and those with a country look rather than ultra modern kitchens. You will find many examples of lace cafe curtains and valances which you would not dream of putting next to gleaming stainless steel and shiny cabinets. If you have a contemporary kitchen go for a tab top cafe curtain either in a plain fabric or one with a striped or plaid design.
Here are some great examples of cafe and tier kitchen curtains. Of course, there is not space to show many examples so if you do not see anything to your liking take a look at the huge selection of discount cafe curtains for sale HERE.
 Embroidered White Cafe Curtain (Click image for details) |
Beautifuly embroidered white cafe curtain with eyelet detail. Can be easily slotted onto a rod across the window. 100% easy care polyester. Click here for further details. |
 Daisy kitchen curtains with Tab Top (Click Image for Details) |
Bone colored (off white) kitchen curtains with yellow and white embroidered daisies, button centers and green embroidered leaves. Matching valance available. 100% polyester, machine washable. Click here for details.
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These attractive green cafe curtains have matching valances with gathered headings and green gingham trim. 70% Polyester/ 30% Cotton Click here for details. Also available in blue at this page.
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 Green Kitchen Cafe Curtains (Click Image for Details) |
 Sunflower Kitchen Curtains Cafe Style (Click Image for Details) |
Striking sunflower design on this cafe style kitchen curtain set. Matching valance and swags included to complete the tier. 70% cotton, 30% polyester. Easy Care. Click for further details and low price.
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Priscilla 24″ Kitchen Curtains with standard rod pocket. Matching valance available separately. Machine washable 100% easy care polyester. Click here for further details.
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 Lace Cafe Curtains and Valances (Click Image for Details) |
Lace Kitchen Curtains
If you have a contemporary kitchen that is all shiny surfaces and gleaming stainless steel appliances then you probably want to give lace kitchen curtains a miss. The fact is that they can look lovely but only in the right kitchen.
If you have a more homely welcoming feel to your kitchen then lace may very well be just what you need at your kitchen window. It has only been in recent years that kitchen curtains have started to appear in lace. Years ago all lace was handmade and much too expensive to use for a kitchen curtain fabric but these days you can buy machine made lace curtains for the kitchen in cotton and polyester which are every bit as fine to look at as the lace of old.
Most lace curtains are white. It is rare to see them in other colors so they are not great at adding much color to your kitchen. On the other hand if you have white cabinets, counter tops, tiles or flooring then you may like to add white kitchen curtains to tie the look together and lace is a great inexpensive way to do this.
Lace Tier Kitchen Curtains (Click image for details)
Whatever type of lace curtains you buy for your kitchen you need to remember that they need to stay white to look good. That can be tricky with kitchen curtains because of the amount of grease floating around in the air but if you buy easy-care fabrics you can easily pop them in the washing machine regularly and that will be enough to keep them looking good.
Kitchen Curtains FAQ : Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find kitchen curtains with a particular theme or pictures on them (cowboys, vegetables, cats, sunflowers etc)
The best place to find all kinds of kitchen curtains is via online stores (you will never find such a good selection in your local area). Do a search on both Google and eBay for kitchen curtains along with the word for the image you want on your drapes. If you are not successful with that, try the same search with just curtains instead of kitchen curtains and if you still don’t find what you are looking for consider making your own (a relatively easy job) and do the same search with fabric. If these three searches don’t work then I’m afraid nothing will and you will have to look for something similar. Browse around the online curtain shops until you find something you like.
Great kitchen window
I have an open plan apartment so that the kitchen and living room are effectively one room. How do I choose curtains for these two “rooms” in one?
You have a few choices for window treatments when choosing kitchen and lounge curtains for an open-plan or studio home. You can
- choose the same fabric for both windows using a plainer style curtain or blind for the kitchen window and a fancier style for the living room – for example drapes and valances in the living room part and simple roman shades or roller blinds in the kitchen
- choose a complimentary color for the kitchen in a plain fabric, perhaps picking out a color from the lounge curtains or from other accessories in the room
- use plain curtains or blinds in the same color on both windows
- ignore the fact that you have an open plan arrangement and simply define the kitchen space with the décor there and the lounge space with a different style, while still making sure colors and styles compliment each other rather than clashing badly
- choose complimentary fabrics from the same design range such as a floral pattern in the lounge and a coordinating striped fabric for the kitchen curtains
How Do I Measure for Kitchen Window Curtains
You can either measure your window if you are having your curtains made or measure the size of the curtains you require. ( See our guide to measuring for kitchen curtains for more details)
Would Long Curtains Look Right in a Kitchen?
If you are hanging kitchen curtains near a food preparation area, sink or cooker then I would definitely select short simple curtains or blinds for reasons of safety and ease of maintenance, however if you have patio doors or use your kitchen as a dining room then long curtains are fine in those areas.
If you hang long curtains be sure to make the style and fabric in keeping with the informal nature of the room – for example, cotton is more appropriate than lace if you’re going long in this situation whereas short lace cafe curtains are fine (depending on the style of your cabinets etc).
Whatever window treatment you choose just be sure that you will be able to wash your kitchen curtains as they do get dirty quickly in the kitchen atmosphere.
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