What Do You Call Those Cute Partial Window Curtains?

If you've ever wandered through a beautifully decorated home or scrolled through stylish interior design Instagram accounts, you may have come across windows dressed in elegant yet mysteriously short curtains. These partial window treatments that only cover the lower portion of the window offer plenty of charm and functionality, but what exactly do you call them?

From cafe curtains to valances, tier curtains and more, there are a few common names used to describe these pint-sized curtains. Read on as we unveil the terminology behind short and cute window curtains!

An Overview of Popular Short Curtain Varieties

While long, flowing curtains can look gorgeous, their petite counterparts offer unique benefits. Allowing abundant sunlight to filter into a room, short curtains create a bright and airy aesthetic. Their abbreviated lengths also suit smaller windows, while providing a bit of privacy.

Here are some of the most popular types of short curtains for windows:

• Cafe Curtains
• Tier Curtains
• Bandeau Curtains
• Scallop Curtains
• Sheer Curtains
• Valances

Cafe Curtains

One of the most common names for short curtains, cafe curtains refer to window treatments that only cover the lower portion of a window. Usually made from lightweight fabrics like lace or linen, they feature gentle gathering or piecing for an elegant finish.

Cafe curtains are positioned to hit right at the window sill, providing privacy and sunlight control for the bottom half of a window. Eyelet Cafe Curtains feature sweet cutout detailing, while Hanging Cafe Curtains have a dangling tassel trim option. Both help set an inviting mood.

The Many Benefits of Cafe Curtains

Offering the best of both worlds, cafe curtains allow plentiful natural light into a space while still providing moderate privacy. Sheer linen or lace cafe style curtains can diffuse harsh lighting. Their abbreviated style suits awkward spaces with low ceilings or smaller windows that might look overwhelmed with long drapes.

From fresh florals to checked or striped prints, cafe curtains inject personality into a room with their sweet decorative styles. They can be combined with other window treatments like curtains or blinds for further customization.

Tier Curtains

What sets tier curtains apart is their signature decorative horizontal bands, also referred to as tiers, layers, or levels. The tiered sections can be subtly ruffled or prominently puffed out into dramatic stepped layers.

Usually covering around half the window length, tier curtains control privacy and light as desired. Sheer background tiers allow ambient lighting, while bolder opaque tiers in the foreground block more sun. The distinctive tiers create a dimensional cascading effect when layered over the glass.

Unique Tier Curtain Styles

From vivid colors to prints and patterns, the possibilities are endless when selecting a style for tier curtains. For traditional tier curtains with a delicate sheer background and more prominent foreground tier layers, lace trims and fabric choices like linen, cotton, or velvet help craft an elegant window.

More contemporary rod pocket tier curtains often feature complementary colors on each stepped layer. Crisp geometric prints, playful polka dots, sweet florals, and medallion motifs enhance the curtains' depth and charm.

Bandeau Curtains

Another variety of shorter curtain, bandeau curtains specifically cover the upper section of a window. Lifting to puddle at the top with a gathered header, bandeau curtains feature smart styling tricks to help maximize charm, light, and privacy.

Strategically styled, bandeau curtains allow light through the bottom portion of glass while screening the top. This maintains attractive outdoor views that might be more visible through higher window sections. Semi-sheer linen blends filter light softly, adding laidback texture.

Scallop Curtains

What immediately distinguishes scallop curtains is their decorative scalloped bottom hemline. The classic scalloped shape featuring rounded corners provides beautiful detailing along the edges of the short curtain panels.

The scalloped silhouette helps create a soft and dreamy mood. When sunlight hits the layered edges, an eye-catching optical effect draws attention to the window. The scalloped hem also allows more light through the glass compared to linear-edged curtains.

For added dimension, hang double scalloped panels in complementing shades. This amplifies the soothing aura and free-flowing look of the window dressing.

Sheer Curtains

Constructed from lightweight semi-transparent fabrics like polyester voile, sheer curtains gracefully filter light and views. Unlined panels allow bright ambiance to shine into an interior space while retaining visual privacy. Tab top sheer curtains easily layer over other existing window treatments as well.

Pairing sheers with an opaque contemporary print or classic embroidered style lends depth and customized control over a room's lighting. Excellent insulators during both warm and cool months, layered sheer window panels also help reduce UV light damage to interior furnishings in a non-disruptive way.

Valances

While not always technically considered curtains, decorative window valances follow a short curtain approach by only dressing the topmost portion of a window. Crisp corner pleats, jabots, colorful trims and swagged detailing creatively transform neutral windows.

Valances not only introduce ornamental style, but they can also be used to camouflage awkward curtain hardware or hide unwanted views. Tailor window valance ideas like relaxed ruched styles to suit the room's purpose. More structured box pleat valances promote formality for dining areas.

Tips for Styling Short Window Curtains

Ready to embrace cute short curtains in your home? Keep these top tips in mind:

• Measure windows precisely before ordering or making curtains.
• Select suitable curtain rods, rings or other hardware to smoothly accommodate shorter curtain panels.
• Get creative mixing and matching curtain fabrics and valence designs to achieve a cohesive layered look.
• Account for ceiling height, furniture placement and activities like opening windows or adjusting blinds.

The styling options for short curtains are virtually endless. Have fun playing with different patterns, textures and lengths to create a window arrangement that suits your personal tastes and home architecture.

No matter which name you choose to call them by--cafe curtains, tier curtains, sheers or valances--partial window curtains strike an ideal balance of sunlight, privacy and style. Keep the terminology straight as you explore these decorating gems to enliven your home in modest yet mighty ways.