Cafe Style Shutters – A Practical & Stylish Choice

Café style shutters are an increasingly popular option for homeowners looking to strike the perfect balance between light control, privacy, and practicality. Covering only the bottom portion of the window, these shutters offer a unique look that’s both elegant and functional—especially well-suited to street-facing rooms and busy kitchens.

☕ Why Choose Café Style?

Originally inspired by the classic shutters seen in continental cafés, this style has become a firm favourite in UK homes. Café shutters provide privacy where it matters most—at eye level—while keeping the top half of the window open, allowing natural light to flood the room.

They’re particularly popular in:

Street-facing living rooms and kitchens

Period properties with feature windows

Homes that want to maintain brightness without sacrificing privacy

🍽️ The Ideal Kitchen Companion

In kitchens, café style shutters are not only stylish—they’re smart. Here’s why:

They offer privacy at sink level, so you can wash up or prep food without being visible from outside.

The open top half allows daylight to stream in, keeping the kitchen bright and airy all day long.

They don’t interfere with taps, splash-backs or tiles, which can sometimes make full-height shutters less practical in this setting.

Easy to clean and maintain, café shutters are great for busy kitchen environments where moisture and mess are common.

Where should I put Half Height Shutters?

Cafe Shutters are perfect for windows that are not overlooked from above. The uncovered portion of the window allows light and views out.

Café Style Shutters are available in all our ranges including our popular UK built Wisley range which we fit in as little as 5 weeks.

Available in a variety of materials, colours and finishes, Cafe Shutters add instant impact to any window.

💡 Top Tip:

If you’re concerned about evening privacy, café shutters can be paired with a light curtain or voile at the top for a layered look—offering both style and full privacy when needed.

⚠️ Planning Ahead: Café Style Is a Fixed Design

It’s important to know that café style shutters are designed as a permanent lower-half solution. While they offer excellent privacy and light, they cannot be extended later by adding top panels or doors.

If you think you may want full-height coverage in the future, we recommend considering:

Full-height shutters with a hidden split for flexible top and bottom control

Tier-on-tier shutters for a similar aesthetic but full window coverage

Our expert team will guide you through all the options during your consultation to make sure you choose the perfect fit for now—and the future.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What are café style shutters?

Café style shutters cover only the lower portion of the window, providing privacy where it’s needed while leaving the top section open to let in natural light.

Are café shutters good for kitchens?

Yes! They’re ideal for kitchens—especially above sinks or worktops—as they don’t interfere with taps, splashbacks or tiles, and still allow plenty of daylight in.

Do café style shutters provide full privacy?

They provide privacy at street level, but the top part of the window remains uncovered. If full coverage is needed, you can pair them with a voile or curtain.

Can café shutters be fitted in bay windows?

Absolutely. They look beautiful in bay windows, adding character and function without overwhelming the space.

What colour options are available?

Café shutters are available in the same painted finishes as our full-height shutters—23 colours across most ranges, including waterproof options.

Do they come in waterproof materials?

Yes – we offer café shutters in waterproof ranges like Herm, making them perfect for wetrooms and bathrooms.

Can I add shutters to the top half later?

Unfortunately, no. Café style shutters are designed as a fixed lower-half solution and cannot be extended later. If you think you might want full-height coverage in future, it’s worth exploring tier-on-tier or full-height shutters from the start.