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Café Style Shutters
Café Style Shutters
Made-to-Measure Privacy Without Blocking the Light
Café-style shutters are a clever way to get the privacy you need without shutting out the daylight. Fitted to the bottom half of your window, they keep you covered while letting the top half stay open and bright. Whether you’re overlooked by neighbours or live on a busy street, these shutters help you feel more comfortable at home without closing off your space.
What Exactly Are Café Style Shutters?
You might also hear them called half-height shutters or bistro shutters, but the idea is simple: they cover just the lower section of the window, leaving the top clear.
Originally seen in French cafés — where people wanted to enjoy the sunshine without being visible from the street — this design now works brilliantly in UK homes, especially on ground-floor windows. They’re ideal if you want to keep natural light while still feeling private.
Why They Work So Well in Everyday Homes
Café shutters strike a balance that most curtains and blinds can’t manage. They give you the privacy you want without making the room feel closed in.
If you’ve got windows that face a pavement or another house, these shutters mean you won’t need to keep your curtains drawn during the day. You can let the light in, open a window for fresh air, and still feel tucked away from view.
They’re also more cost-effective than full-height shutters, since they use less material, but still give you that same made-to-measure, tailored look that instantly improves the feel of a room.
Measured and Fitted in
7 Days
Where Café Shutters Work Best
Kitchens
Perfect for windows above worktops or sinks. You can get on with cooking or cleaning without feeling exposed, and waterproof finishes make them easy to wipe down.
Living rooms
If your lounge faces a street or footpath, these shutters give you privacy at eye level without blocking the daylight. It’s a simple upgrade that makes a big difference to comfort and style.
Bedrooms (ground floor)
Great if you want natural light in the morning, but still want to feel private. Many people pair them with curtains or blackout blinds to give full coverage at night.
Bathrooms
Fabric blinds don’t hold up well in steamy bathrooms, but moisture-resistant café shutters do. They give you privacy and airflow without the fuss or upkeep.
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Measured and Fitted in
7 Days
Choosing the Right Material
What your shutters are made of matters, especially in high-moisture rooms or busy households.
Hardwood is ideal for living rooms or bedrooms where you want a warm, timeless finish. Painted or stained, they work especially well in older homes with original features.
Composite (engineered wood) is a more durable choice for kitchens and bathrooms. It handles humidity better than natural wood but still looks the part.
Vinyl is low-maintenance and cost-effective, making it a smart option for practical spaces like family homes, utility rooms, or rentals.
Whatever you go for, your shutters will be made to measure and finished to match your space, right down to the louvre size and colour.
Getting the Fit Just Right
Most café shutters cover between 24 and 36 inches of your window, depending on how much privacy you need and the size of the opening. Our professional fitters will take accurate measurements to ensure they sit at the right height, which is especially important in older properties where windows aren’t always uniform.
You can choose an inside mount if you want a flush, built-in look, or an outside mount if your window frames are uneven or you want more coverage.
Installation is usually quick — most windows take around two to four hours to fit — and measuring is included in the service.
How Do They Compare to Blinds and Curtains?
Compared to blinds or curtains, café shutters are easier to maintain, more durable, and they simply feel like part of the home, not an afterthought.
They don’t fade, tangle, or trap dust like fabric. You won’t need to dry clean them, and they won’t warp over time like cheaper blinds. Instead, you get clean lines, a tailored fit, and peace of mind that you’ve added something practical and lasting.
Estate agents often see shutters as a selling point. When fitted properly throughout a home, they can add to its appeal — and potentially its value.
Ready to Get Started?
Café-style shutters are more than just a way to dress a window. They add privacy where you need it, light where you want it, and style that lasts.
If you’re ready to see how they could work in your home, book a free consultation today. We’ll help you choose the right material, fit, and finish — and take care of everything from measuring to installation.
Get a free quote today!