Walk through any window treatment showroom and you will hear five different names for curtains that end above the floor. Answering what are short curtains called depends on exact length, mounting position, and where the bottom hem lands relative to the window sill, the apron, or a piece of furniture. After specifying window coverings for hundreds of clients, I can tell you the right name, the right room, and the practical reasons designers reach for each style.
Cafe Curtains
Cafe curtains cover only the lower half of the window. They typically hang from a tension rod or small brass rod mounted at the midpoint of the window frame, ending at the sill. Originating in European cafes for privacy without blocking daylight, this style works best in kitchens, breakfast nooks, and bathrooms. Standard panel length runs 24 to 36 inches. Pottery Barn, World Market, and Spoonflower sell ready-made cafe curtains starting around $20 to $45 per pair.
Use cafe curtains when you want privacy from a sidewalk-facing window without giving up the upper sash of daylight. The look reads casual and cottage rather than formal, so they pair well with painted trim and beadboard.
Tier Curtains
Tier curtains are functionally identical to cafe curtains but the term usually refers to ready-made packaged pairs sold at home centers and big-box stores. A tier curtain set covers the bottom half of a window with two short panels meeting in the middle. Lengths run 24, 30, and 36 inches. Common brands include Achim, Kate Aurora, and Maison d’Hermine, with prices from $14 to $35 per pair.
The practical difference between cafe and tier is mostly merchandising. Designers say cafe; retailers say tier. Both refer to the same lower-window treatment.
Valances
A valance is the shortest curtain style, hung at the top of the window and ending 12 to 18 inches down. Valances cover the rod and add color or pattern without blocking light. They sit alone or layer over blinds, shades, or full-length panels. Standard widths run 50 to 60 inches and lengths run 14 to 18 inches.
Common valance types include the swag (draped fabric with cascading tails), the box-pleated valance (tailored and modern), the scarf valance (loose-draped fabric), and the simple straight valance. Use valances to soften the top edge of a window over a roller shade, or in laundry rooms and powder rooms where full panels are not practical.
Apron Length Curtains
Apron length means the bottom hem ends 1 inch below the window apron, the horizontal trim piece below the sill. A standard window with an apron 36 inches above the floor calls for a 45 to 48 inch curtain panel. Apron length keeps panels from puddling on the floor while still framing the entire window.
This length works well over heating registers, radiators, and built-in window seats where floor-length panels would drag on or behind obstacles. It also suits kitchens where long panels collect grease and dust. Standard ready-made lengths from West Elm, IKEA, and Target include 54, 63, and 84 inches; choose the 54-inch option for most apron length applications.
Sill Length Curtains
Sill length panels stop 1/2 inch above the windowsill. They cover the window glass fully without extending below the sill. This style is common in bay windows, dormer windows, and any window with a deep ledge that would otherwise interfere with longer panels.
Sill length runs 30 to 40 inches depending on rod placement. Mount the rod 4 inches above the window casing to maximize the proportion. Sill length works best in cottage, traditional, and farmhouse interiors. In modern or formal rooms, floor-length panels almost always look better.
Choosing the Right Length for Your Window
Measure from the rod position to the desired hem location. The four common short lengths are:
- Valance: 14 to 18 inches from rod
- Cafe or tier: 24 to 36 inches, ending at the sill
- Sill length: 30 to 40 inches, ending at the sill
- Apron length: 45 to 48 inches, ending just below the apron
For non-standard windows, custom panels from Smith and Noble, The Shade Store, or local workrooms cost $90 to $250 per panel. Ready-made panels then hemmed by a tailor cost about $40 per panel including the alteration.
Fabric and Header Choices
Short curtains read more casual than floor-length panels, so the fabric should match. Linen, cotton blends, and lightweight cotton ducks work for kitchens and baths. Skip heavy silk and velvet for short panels; they look out of proportion.
Header styles affect how the curtain hangs. Rod pocket headers create gathered shirring and read traditional. Grommet tops give a modern, tailored fall. Tab tops feel casual and cottage. For cafe curtains, rod pockets and simple ties read the most appropriate; grommets feel too contemporary for the style.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Hanging the rod too low ranks as the most frequent error. Mount the rod for cafe curtains so the top of the panel sits 1 to 2 inches above the midpoint of the window, not directly on the midpoint. The panels should appear to cover the lower half visually, not literally start at the halfway line.
Using short curtains in formal living and dining rooms is the second mistake. Floor-length panels are the standard for those rooms; short panels almost always look unfinished. Reserve short styles for kitchens, baths, breakfast nooks, laundry rooms, and cottage-style bedrooms.
Layering Short Curtains
Layer a valance over a roller shade for kitchen windows that need both light control and softness. Pair cafe curtains with a flat Roman shade above for full privacy in bedrooms and baths. Mounting hardware should be planned together; the upper rod sits at the casing top and the lower rod at the window midpoint.
Knowing exactly what are short curtains called helps you specify the right product, get accurate measurements from a workroom, and avoid the wrong style for the room. Match the length to the window architecture, choose fabric that suits the casual tone short panels carry, and the window treatment will look intentional rather than improvised.
