Major Mistakes That Are Making Your Cafe Curtains Look Outdated

Cafe curtains, among the most charming decor options for a home, are a style of short curtain that blocks only the lower part of a window, providing privacy and leaving the top of the window unobstructed to let in light. Thought to have originated in Vienna, Austria, in the 19th century, these curtains have cycled in and out of style for years. Thanks to their practicality and coziness, they are making another resurgence. With so many previous iterations of the cafe curtain style, though, it can be tough to make them look fresh in your home. If yours looks dated, you are likely making a major mistake in your fabric or pattern choice.

Fabric and pattern are two of the most important considerations for curtains. If your cafe curtains look bulky and uneven, you have probably chosen a fabric that is too heavy. This mistake can ruin the look of a room by blocking too much light and making the window look smaller. For cafe curtains, you generally want to choose light and airy, natural fabrics (like cotton and linen) that will let soft light through. If you want more privacy, try adding a privacy liner instead of opting for heavier fabrics. When it comes to patterns, choose familiar ones like stripes, plaids, gingham, or florals. Plain curtains are a good choice for a modern and clean look. Either way, make sure that the pattern suits the style of the room and consider smaller patterns rather than large ones for a more timeless look.

When shopping, after considering fabrics and patterns, you will want to think about sizing, hardware, and, of course, not making any mistakes when hanging curtains. First, make sure your curtains are the correct size. They should be able to cover the window with a few inches of fabric left on either side. Ideally, you should also choose a curtain that is long enough for you to make height adjustments and hem if needed. If you avoided any major mistakes with fabrics and patterns but your cafe curtains still look outdated, you may need to adjust their height on the window. Moving the curtains up or down a few inches can make a major difference in the overall style. 

Hardware can also impact how dated the curtains look. Your curtain rod needs to be strong enough to hold your curtains. A sagging curtain rod will always make them look dated and inelegant. Cafe curtains with a metal rod and rings look very classic, but you can also opt for curtains with a rod pocket or grommets, depending on the look you want. A DIY curtain rod can also look unique, while pleats, especially pinch pleats, add more structure and elegance to your curtains, helping them look less dated. Consider changing out your curtains seasonally to keep the room feeling new. If you do not see any options in stores that you like, you can even create DIY cafe curtains to get the perfect up-to-date look.