What is the difference between café shutters and café curtains and which are better? Posted on 1 May 14:24 , 0 comments

In the past few years there has certainly been a return of the café curtain – or net curtain as some people refer to them. They are affordable and easy to install and can offer a pretty femineity to your room. However, whilst we appreciate they have their place in the home, there are some valuable reasons why café shutters may be a better long term option for you and we believe they still come out on top!

alcove with cafe style shutters

What are café shutters and café curtains?

Café Shutters

Cafe style shutters, manufactured in either a hardwood or composite wood, provide privacy by covering just the lower half of the window, keeping the top half of the window clear for maximum light.

light room with old style arm chair in front of a window with cafe shutters

Café Curtains

Café curtains, manufactured in often a linen or voile fabric are half-height curtains designed to cover only the bottom half of a window. Cafe curtains are light-filtering and provide privacy.

room with a bay window with half height curtains

So, Café shutters and café curtains both cover only the lower half of a window, but café shutters offer several distinct advantages over café curtains:

 Durability

  • Café shutters (manufactured from wood, vinyl, or composite materials) are far more durable than fabric curtains.
  • They resist fading, wear, and moisture better, especially in heavy use areas of the home like kitchens or bathrooms.

Light Control

  • Shutters typically have adjustable louvres or can be totally solid, allowing you to control how much light enters without losing privacy.
  • Curtains must be pulled back or shut entirely, offering less flexibility.

Privacy with Style

two images showing the difference between cafe style shutters and cafe curtains in a bathroom
  • Both provide privacy for the lower half of the window, but shutters offer a cleaner, more structured look.
  • They're ideal for street-facing rooms where you want privacy without darkening the space.

Easy Maintenance

  • Shutters are easy to clean—just dust or wipe with a damp cloth. They could be seen to be more hygienic than their fabric counterpart.
  • Curtains need to be laundered regularly and can retain odours or stains.

Increased Home Value

  • Shutters are a permanent window treatment and can enhance the perceived value of your home.
  • Curtains are considered more temporary and decorative and are likely to move with sellers of the property.

Timeless Aesthetic

  • Café shutters offer a classic, architectural aesthetic that suit many design styles of interior and periods of property.
  • You can add warmth and femineity by having curtains alongside your café shutters – best of both!