Back door - adding blinds/curtain for privacy? (x-posted)

11 years ago

We had to replace our backdoor which leads into the kitchen and picked this fiberglass option.

How can we add some privacy with clean/modern lines on the inside of the door shown in the picture? We are open to any material (aside from privacy film) and the solution should be low profile, so that it does not stick out into the room as much.

The tricky part: we do not want the window cover to flop all over the place when we open and close the door.

We stopped by Blinds-to-Go but the sales person was really not helpful with finding a solution. So, I am desperately hoping you can help! Any suggestions/pics are welcome and any details you can share about the installation process is much appreciated! THANK YOU!

(X-posted - decor forum)

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Comments (10)

momtofour
11 years ago
You can attach whatever you choose at both the top and bottom so that it doesn't flop around. I've done both curtains and blinds in the past, but have nothing now.
willtv
11 years ago
How 'bout sheers?
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@futuremrsr: I especially love the dramatic ceiling in his living room! @pesky1: I wasn't trying to center the desk under the window because the desk will be one solid piece across the whole back wall. (I have another piece that will join the corner desks in the middle.) I was considering the rod extending past the window to the left corner and opening in that direction, mainly because I thought it might look bigger and save wall real estate to the right of the window. Sounds like it would just look weird. :) The view out the window is to the street, and beyond that our neighbor's house. I do plan on opening the drapes daily. Sun glare is an issue, especially when there's snow on the ground, so blinds may be a good option so I can tailor how much light comes through. Thick/thin or wood/metal/plastic? I'll admit I've never seen blinds in person that weren't cheap looking to me, so I'm not sure which would look nicest. Do you have pics of your DD's DH's office? It sounds nice! @graywings: I haven't picked out drape hardware yet, but they are what I think you're refering to as "pole top." (Sorry, I don't know the technical term!) There's a hole in the fabric across the top where the hardware can be inserted. I plan on opening and closing them daily. Great point about a one-way draw emphasizing the off-center window. You and pesky1 have me convinced to go with the normal two-way opening! I don't think this window will accept an inside mount. There's just no room for the shade/blinds to go. Would you mount the curtains halfway between the ceiling and top window woodwork? Would an outside-mount blind start at the same place? I'm concerned you'll see weird green lines behind the blinds when both blinds and curtains are open. (Sorry these are basic questions...it's my first house and I'm new at this!)
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mlouis
Original Author
11 years ago
Permanently attaching a rod or something is an option, of course - so is sheer fabric. Thanks for taking the time to think this through with me.

I'm wondering though if there is another way to attach them only semi-permanently at least on one end because we would like to be able to move the cover out of the way for more light at times. Maybe magnets on the bottom? Or a track of some sort? Or u-bracket? Trying to think outside the box...
iroll_gw
11 years ago
You could use magnetic curtain rods:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=magnetic+curtain+rod&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4306556057&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=19862671472017400969&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_3xtq5pziqn_e

Or, if you didn't necessarily want fabric curtains, there is removable privacy cling film:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/3/removable-window-film
cluelessincolorado
11 years ago
You can get hold downs with a blind that will anchor them down until you want the blind raised all the way. Will add hardware to door however.

Here is a link that might be useful: blinds usa example of tie downs
nini804
11 years ago
Plantation shutters!!! We had them on our kitchen door at our old house. They basically make a frame around your window, the shutters are hinged to the frame. In a situation with a smaller window like that, I just hinge the shutters on one side (as opposed to two panels which open in the middle.) This gives you the cleanest lines. There is no shaking or movement of the shutters, they can be completely closed for total privacy or opened all the way. It adds a lot of depth to your door window...I think a substantial touch.

This pic is of one in my office, I don't have them on any doors in this house, but it would look just like this...
ellendi
11 years ago
How about a cellular shade or silhouette? Some have the option of going from bottom to top.
mlouis
Original Author
11 years ago
All great ideas - I'm so glad to have a group like you as a resource.

@clulessincolorado: I'm intrigued by the hold down bracket and will try to find more information/pics. Thanks.

@nini804: plantation shutters were so not on my radar but I'll check it out. (I like your office - it looks very crisp.)
cluelessincolorado
11 years ago
This is what they would look like installed. We have them on our back door because the whole "flappy" thing drives DH nuts.

Here is a link that might be useful: hold downs
cluelessincolorado
11 years ago
HA - Found a better photo.
I will now stop obsessing...

Here is a link that might be useful: hold downs

Back door - adding blinds/curtain for privacy? (x-posted)

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Back door - adding blinds/curtain for privacy? (x-posted)

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