Café Style Shutters for Bay Windows and Street-Facing Rooms in North London
Café style shutters cover the lower part of a window and leave the top uncovered. You get privacy where you need it – at eye level from the pavement, the garden or next door – while daylight pours in over the top. They are one of the most popular shutter styles in North London, especially on the street-facing bay windows of Victorian and Edwardian homes in areas like Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Finchley and Highgate.
Every set is measured at your home, made to measure in Britain and fitted by our own team, with a 10-year guarantee and a typical 3–4-week lead time.
Where café style shutters work best
- Bay windows facing the street – privacy from the pavement, with the top of the bay left open to the light. They sit neatly behind a window seat or radiator.
- Kitchens – privacy at worktop height, and you can still open the top of the window for fresh air. See our kitchen shutters page.
- Bathrooms – privacy on the lower glass, with light and ventilation above.
- Dining rooms, studies and hallways – anywhere you want to soften the view in without making the room darker.
How high should café shutters be?
There is no fixed “half-window” rule. On a sash window we usually line the top of the shutter up with the meeting rail, where the two sashes meet, so it looks part of the window. On other windows we set the height by checking the view from outside, so you get privacy exactly where you need it. We work this out with you during the survey.
Café style or tier-on-tier?
Café style shutters leave the top of the window uncovered all the time, which is simpler and lets in the most light. Tier-on-tier shutters add a second set of panels on top, so you can open the top for light in the day and close everything at night. If you want full cover after dark or in a bedroom, tier-on-tier or full height shutters are usually the better choice. Our guide to shutter styles compares all three.
Colours and louvres
Most of our café shutters are white – see Vivid White vs Traffic White – but they also look striking painted to match a room, like the sage green and black café shutters in our photos. We can colour match to Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Dulux (terms and conditions apply). Choose 64mm, 76mm or 89mm louvres, with a tilt rod or hidden tilt.
Simple pricing
We price café shutters by the size of your window, so because they cover less glass, they usually cost less than full height shutters on the same window. Hidden tilt or a different louvre size doesn’t add extra – see how our pricing works.
Some Of Our Designs
Choosing café shutters
- Stand outside and check where you need privacy from the pavement or neighbours.
- Think about the evening: the top of the window stays uncovered, so add a blind above or choose tier-on-tier if you want full cover at night.
- On sash windows, line the shutter up with the meeting rail for the neatest look.
See more in café style shutters around the home and café style shutters on bay windows from our projects.
Colour Options
Paulownia Wood Shutters
Can colour match to any Little Greene, Farrow & Ball and Dulux
T&Cs Apply
What Makes Us Different
Made in England, Made in Britain
Ask us about the materials, finish and care requirements for your chosen product. We confirm its specification before you order.
Measured for your home in North London
At your free home visit we bring samples, measure the opening and discuss light, privacy, colour and how you use the room. We confirm the specification in a written quote before you order.
Our made-to-measure wooden shutters come with a 10-year guarantee and a typical 3–4-week lead time. Your written quote confirms the design, price and expected fitting date.
10-year shutter guarantee
Our wooden shutters come with a 10-year guarantee. Your written quote confirms the product specification and guarantee terms.
Questions about café style shutters
What are café style shutters?
Café style shutters cover only the lower part of a window, leaving the top uncovered. The name comes from the half-height shutters often seen in café windows, which give diners privacy while keeping the room bright.
How high should café shutters be?
There is no fixed rule. On sash windows we usually line them up with the meeting rail; on other windows we set the height from the view outside. We check both during the survey.
Are café shutters suitable for a bedroom?
They leave the upper window uncovered, so they don’t give full privacy or darkness. For bedrooms, tier-on-tier or full height shutters are usually better, or add a blackout blind above.
Can I open the window behind café shutters?
Yes. The top of the window is clear, so you can open it for fresh air, and the shutter panels open like small doors if you need to reach the lower glass.
What are your café shutters made from?
Our café shutters are made-to-measure wooden shutters, made in Britain. For wet areas such as next to a shower, ask us about waterproof options at your free home visit.
How much do café style shutters cost?
We price by the size of your window, so café shutters usually cost less than full height shutters on the same window. Louvre size and hidden tilt don’t change the price. Your free home visit ends with a fixed written quote, with no obligation.
What lead time and guarantee apply?
Our wooden shutters have a 10-year guarantee and a typical 3–4-week lead time. We confirm your expected fitting date with your order.
Types of Shutters We Offer and Their Best Uses
At North London Shutters and Blinds, we offer a wide range of custom shutters designed to fit your home’s unique needs. Each shutter type offers its own set of benefits, making them perfect for different rooms and window styles. Here’s a breakdown of the shutters we provide and the best applications for each:
Full Height Shutters
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, offices
Full height shutters cover the entire window from top to bottom, offering a sleek, continuous look. They provide excellent light control and privacy, making them ideal for rooms where you need a versatile solution. You can tilt the louvers to allow in natural light or close them fully for complete privacy. Their timeless design suits both modern and traditional interiors, adding elegance to any space.
- Perfect for: Any room where you need full light control and privacy, such as living rooms and bedrooms.
Tier on Tier Shutters
Best for: Living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, street-facing windows
Tier on Tier shutters feature two sets of panels that can operate independently. This allows you to open the top section to let in natural light while keeping the bottom section closed for privacy. They are ideal for rooms where you want flexibility in managing light and privacy. This style is particularly useful in street-level rooms where you want privacy on the lower half of the window but still want daylight to enter.
- Perfect for: Rooms facing the street or areas where flexible light control and privacy are needed.
Café Style Shutters
Dining rooms, kitchens, street-facing windows
Café style shutters cover only the lower half of the window, allowing light to flood in through the top. These shutters offer privacy while maintaining an open, airy feel, making them perfect for ground-floor rooms or street-facing windows. Their stylish, continental design adds a chic touch to any room and works particularly well in kitchens or dining areas where you want privacy without blocking sunlight.
- Perfect for: Spaces where privacy is needed at eye level but natural light is still desired.
Solid Shutters
Bedrooms, living rooms, period homes, home theatres
Solid shutters are made from full wood panels that reduce incoming light when closed, offering the highest level of privacy and insulation. They are particularly popular in bedrooms, period properties, and rooms where you want to block out noise and light, such as home theatres. These shutters add a traditional and elegant look, making them ideal for homes with classic architecture or those looking to maintain a period aesthetic.
- Perfect for: Bedrooms and spaces where reduced light, privacy, and insulation are important.
Track Shutters
Best for: Large windows, sliding doors, patio doors, room dividers
Track shutters are designed to cover wide expanses such as large windows, sliding glass doors, or patio doors. They glide effortlessly along a track system, providing easy access and smooth operation. These shutters are perfect for large spaces where traditional shutters may not be practical. They can also be used as room dividers in open-plan living areas, offering flexibility in how you use your space.
- Perfect for: Large windows and sliding doors that require full coverage and easy access.
Special Shape Shutters
Best for: Arched, circular, triangular, or angled windows
Special shape shutters are custom-made to fit uniquely shaped windows. Whether your windows are arched, circular, triangular, or angled, these shutters are tailored to provide a perfect fit. Not only do they enhance the beauty of unusual window shapes, but they also offer practical benefits like light control and privacy. These bespoke shutters are ideal for homes with distinctive architectural features.
- Perfect for: Arched, circular and angled windows, dormers and other unusual shapes.