A picture would be very helpful .

End a half inch above the window sill so they don't get splashed by the sink water. If you put them on a rod at the top of the window, they'll look fine.

If you really want cafe curtains, have them come just to the window sill, no longer. You could definitely hang them at the top of the window to make them longer.

But, you could also do a valance or Roman shade and mount it almost to the ceiling, which would not cut out any of the light when it was fully drawn up.

IF you're hanging the curtains within the window frame, stop at the window sill.

IF you're hanging the curtains over the window frame, stop at the bottom of the window frame.

Put the rod for the two lower panels across where the top and bottom window meet when the window is closed -- as in your pic.

Thought you might like these valances, too:

https://windowtoppers.com/

Is it just for the added colour that you're thinking of curtains? It doesn't sound like you need or even particularly want privacy and that you are concerned about losing your view whether you hang them in the upper or lower half of the window.

Your kitchen looks to be a bit retro and so do your fabric choices, so could you think about doing simple tie-back panels instead? You would get your little bit of colour and you would preserve most of your view.

Thank you for your comments. I am leaning towards hanging the panels from the top of the window with an outside mount.....with curtain rings/clips. That being said, where should the hem be? This is the fabric I am considering. As Lindsey mentioned above, the only reason for the curtain is to add some color. I had a valance previously and it really cut down on light coming in and the view.

Since you really want an unobstructed view, have you thought about replacing the pendant light with a flush- or semi-flush-mount light?

We just added the pendant. Prior, there was a "bridge" connecting the two cabinets which I really did not like. The pendant doesn't obstruct the view.

They should only touch the window sill.

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Cor, in the last photo you posted you've got the solution. Do rod pocket panels with narrow (1/4") channel above the rod pocket. It won't stick up as a ruffle, but it will just bridge the gap between the top of the rod and the top of the window frame. Hem them just below the sill. I would make them just full enough to reach to sides of the cabinets and cover the window frame on the side.

I would recommend not doing rings and clips if you're hanging it high. There will be a gap of window exposed between the top of the curtain and the rod, and between the rod and the bottom of the window frame and to me that looks sloppy.

lindsey "I would make them just full enough to reach to sides of the cabinets and cover the window frame on the side." ****are you saying to mount the curtain from the edge of the cabinet? So you won't see any wall between the cabinet and window frame? I can't picture what you are saying in my head.

I do want to be able to close the curtains at night - no one needs to see me washing the dishes at night :-)

"So you won't see any wall between the cabinet and window frame?"

Yes, I wrote that assuming you would be using a tension rod between the two cabinets. In that situation I would let the curtains go all the way out to touch the cabinet sides because I wouldn't want the bare rod showing between the edge of the curtain and the cabinet side.

If you use a rod with brackets then only to the outside edge of the window frame.

You can easily make them full enough to close.

lindsey - No, I won't be using a tension rod. Definitely a decorative rod.

The fabric that you chose is very nice, I think that the panels will be in the way or get splashed with water when you will be washing dishes a Roman shade would be perfect and the fabric will show much better.

Since your are not doing a traditional cafe curtain, I think the hem can be where you like it best. In my professional opinion, I'd stop at the sill so it is out of the way of the faucet.

*********** Change of Plan *****************

Decided I do not want a cafe curtain after all. With the moch up with my scrap fabrics, I realized it will just get too splattered with the sink so close. That being said, I am thinking of doing a valance. How much higher than the window can I hang the valance. Previously I had a valance, inside mount and it just covered too much of the window. It I do an outside mount I think I can raise it much higher. Thoughts?

An upholstered cornice board would look great in your cute kitchen. This shows a shade used with it, you mentioned wanting privacy at night...

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It is clear that you do not want a traditional cafe curtain because they are mounted inside the window frame and are just a hair above the window sill. A valance will not give you privacy at night. You can replace the glass with one way view glass but it sounds like you really want to use fabric. I suggest a relaxed Roman or a balloon shade hung from just below the ceiling so you can keep it raised to just below the top of the window during the day and lower it at night. There is a risk of getting anything that give you privacy wet if you are washing dished with it closed so consider an indoor/outdoor fabric or treating another fabric to repel water and soil,

Yes - I am going to loose the option to close the blinds, but that is okay. I am not interested in a Roman Shade. There is a picture in my kitchen idea book that I cannot figure out how to post to this post.....but shows a valance hung high. I am thinking along that route.

Figured it out - What do you all think of this? My cabs don't go to the ceiling either.

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My preference is to have it level with the cabinets which is why I suggested the cornice, but your picture is really pretty and I think your kitchen can pull it off :)