Decorating
Protect Your Privacy With Wonderful Window Treatments
Screen out those nosy neighbours without blocking out the light with these elegant solutions
Whether you have big, beautiful sashes or one tricky window with a bad view or passing foot traffic, bare windows can leave you feeling exposed. Most of us consider friendly neighbours an asset, but who wants to wave at each one through the glass while perched on the sofa with a chocolate biscuit? Luckily, there are plenty of elegant screening solutions to suit all sorts of window types that will provide privacy in your home without compromising on light or style.
Create your own
Screen your windows with simple and stylish homemade voile panels. To get this look, attach two brackets to hold a wooden rod over the portion of the window you wish to cover – you could also try tension rods if you’d rather not add any fixings (depending on your window type and where you position your blind, as this option requires a recess). Cut a piece of voile and hem the bottom and sides. Fold over the top of the fabric to create a pocket for the rod and stitch in place.
Screen your windows with simple and stylish homemade voile panels. To get this look, attach two brackets to hold a wooden rod over the portion of the window you wish to cover – you could also try tension rods if you’d rather not add any fixings (depending on your window type and where you position your blind, as this option requires a recess). Cut a piece of voile and hem the bottom and sides. Fold over the top of the fabric to create a pocket for the rod and stitch in place.
Hang onto a classic
Venetian blinds offer a similar look to wooden shutters but on a smaller budget. They also layer well with additional window treatments if you fit them snugly inside the reveal.
When preparing to buy a blind to fit inside the window recess, use a metal tape measure to take measurements at three points: the top, middle and bottom of your window reveal. Always use the narrowest measurement as your ‘recess width’.
Venetian blinds offer a similar look to wooden shutters but on a smaller budget. They also layer well with additional window treatments if you fit them snugly inside the reveal.
When preparing to buy a blind to fit inside the window recess, use a metal tape measure to take measurements at three points: the top, middle and bottom of your window reveal. Always use the narrowest measurement as your ‘recess width’.
Look out for one-way blinds
As well as standard sheer roller blinds, seek out magic screen or one-way blinds, which allow you to enjoy the views outside your windows while having privacy inside. Affordable and practical, they are particularly effective if you’re looking for a slimline, subtle treatment that doesn’t obscure any of the window when rolled up.
Keep in mind that no sheer blind will be effective at night, when the lights inside your house will leave you visible through the fabric. Always combine them with additional window treatments to ensure complete privacy (as well as cosiness).
As well as standard sheer roller blinds, seek out magic screen or one-way blinds, which allow you to enjoy the views outside your windows while having privacy inside. Affordable and practical, they are particularly effective if you’re looking for a slimline, subtle treatment that doesn’t obscure any of the window when rolled up.
Keep in mind that no sheer blind will be effective at night, when the lights inside your house will leave you visible through the fabric. Always combine them with additional window treatments to ensure complete privacy (as well as cosiness).
Lose the lining
For a stylish twist on the traditional, try unlined Roman blinds made of loosely woven linen for a sheer finish. These ensure the room remains light but is screened from curious passers-by during the day. They can be combined with curtains or layered with opaque blinds for additional privacy and insulation after dark.
Roman blinds feature horizontal channels that run along their length to hold a dowel: with sheer Romans, look for those with transparent rods to make this less obvious.
For a stylish twist on the traditional, try unlined Roman blinds made of loosely woven linen for a sheer finish. These ensure the room remains light but is screened from curious passers-by during the day. They can be combined with curtains or layered with opaque blinds for additional privacy and insulation after dark.
Roman blinds feature horizontal channels that run along their length to hold a dowel: with sheer Romans, look for those with transparent rods to make this less obvious.
Diffuse with soft curtains
For added amour and soft light in your boudoir, try sheer curtains made from voile or muslin. These floaty drapes can be paired with lined curtains or practical blackout roller blinds for after dark. A fixed pelmet like this does double duty, hiding the workings of your window coverings and adding a sleek architectural detail to a room.
More: Curtain Call: Drape Your Home in Unexpected Ways
For added amour and soft light in your boudoir, try sheer curtains made from voile or muslin. These floaty drapes can be paired with lined curtains or practical blackout roller blinds for after dark. A fixed pelmet like this does double duty, hiding the workings of your window coverings and adding a sleek architectural detail to a room.
More: Curtain Call: Drape Your Home in Unexpected Ways
Vote for vertical
Vertical blinds are an unobtrusive option for fixed glass panels or windows and doors that open outwards. They are well suited to conservatories, as the panels are highly adjustable and can be angled or drawn completely to one side without impinging on the windows. Vertical blinds are also an ideal window treatment for a home office, as they ensure both privacy and reduced glare on computer screens.
This sunroom partners a vertical blind – on the right – with an exterior verandah for the perfect balance of light and shade.
Vertical blinds are an unobtrusive option for fixed glass panels or windows and doors that open outwards. They are well suited to conservatories, as the panels are highly adjustable and can be angled or drawn completely to one side without impinging on the windows. Vertical blinds are also an ideal window treatment for a home office, as they ensure both privacy and reduced glare on computer screens.
This sunroom partners a vertical blind – on the right – with an exterior verandah for the perfect balance of light and shade.
Be a shutter bug
Slatted wooden shutters with narrow louvres provide plenty of privacy while still allowing light into your room. These half-height ‘cafe-style’ shutters are ideal if you intend to leave them closed most of the time.
The best window shutters are made to measure, therefore requiring a significant financial outlay. It’s worth considering how long you intend to keep your house and whether you can recoup the investment upon selling.
More: Hard-Working Plantation Shutters Deliver the Goods
Slatted wooden shutters with narrow louvres provide plenty of privacy while still allowing light into your room. These half-height ‘cafe-style’ shutters are ideal if you intend to leave them closed most of the time.
The best window shutters are made to measure, therefore requiring a significant financial outlay. It’s worth considering how long you intend to keep your house and whether you can recoup the investment upon selling.
More: Hard-Working Plantation Shutters Deliver the Goods
Obscure with window film
Screening film offers a quick and easy solution for windows where curtains or blinds may be impractical or out of your budget. It’s available in plain frosted panels or a huge range of cut-out designs, as well as solar control – a good option for heavily glassed areas that suffer from glare. Most window film is moisture resistant, making it ideal for bathrooms.
For a neat finish, ensure your windows are perfectly clean prior to application by using a mild soap solution, such as highly diluted baby shampoo, a window squeegee and a lint-free cloth.
Screening film offers a quick and easy solution for windows where curtains or blinds may be impractical or out of your budget. It’s available in plain frosted panels or a huge range of cut-out designs, as well as solar control – a good option for heavily glassed areas that suffer from glare. Most window film is moisture resistant, making it ideal for bathrooms.
For a neat finish, ensure your windows are perfectly clean prior to application by using a mild soap solution, such as highly diluted baby shampoo, a window squeegee and a lint-free cloth.
Invest in smart glazing
For a 24/7 solution, consider having new glass panels fitted that will do the job of a semi-opaque window dressing. There are numerous options when it comes to privacy glass, from simple frosted panes to those that contain crystals that switch from opaque to clear when an electrical current is passed through them.
Before investing, though, it might be wise to try out screening film first on any windows you’re considering reglazing.
TELL US
How have you created privacy in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
MORE
Renovating on a Budget: How to Get More From Your Windows for Less
Window Wizardry: 7 Clever Approaches to Privacy
15 Gorgeous Ways to Dress Up Your Windows
For a 24/7 solution, consider having new glass panels fitted that will do the job of a semi-opaque window dressing. There are numerous options when it comes to privacy glass, from simple frosted panes to those that contain crystals that switch from opaque to clear when an electrical current is passed through them.
Before investing, though, it might be wise to try out screening film first on any windows you’re considering reglazing.
TELL US
How have you created privacy in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
MORE
Renovating on a Budget: How to Get More From Your Windows for Less
Window Wizardry: 7 Clever Approaches to Privacy
15 Gorgeous Ways to Dress Up Your Windows
When your view is uninspiring and you aren’t looking to reveal it too often, try a Swedish blind. To maintain both privacy and light, choose a pale fabric that’s opaque when two panels are layered together, as this is how blinds like the one pictured are constructed.
Swedish blinds are available in two variations: the simplest are designed to remain in a fixed position to ‘dress’ your window, rather than being operated on a daily basis (as they need to be rolled up by hand). They offer a straightforward project crafters can try at home. The second variation is more complicated, using a corded system to raise and lower the fabric.