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Design Dilemma living room Windows

window treatment for sliding door dilemma

5 years ago

I moved into a small apt where the only window in my living room is the sliding door. unfortunately the view is north facing AND looks directly at a parking lot. So in order to get light in my living room, where my office also is, I have to open the vertical blinds. I HATE vertical blinds. I am thinking of removing the slats and attaching curtains to the track. Has anyone ever tried this? I'm also thinking of adding a little window tint, at least to the middle of the sliders, so the neighbors can't see me all the time. Thoughts? Ideas?

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

5 years ago

You can do that but it works best with sheers that are lightweight as the hooks in the track are usually plastic and can't hold much weight. If you can find a sheer with a busy print embossed on it you'll get more privacy.

SeaGlass Blue Grommet Printed Sheer Curtain Single Panel, 50"x 96" · More Info

I suggest you need some additional lighting so you can turn off the ambient ceiling fan light and use task and accent lights to add a more cozy feeling to your space.

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Comments (11)

K Laurence
5 years ago
Yes to both suggestions...
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That’s a good point with the built in blinds. We had considered doing that, but were worried they could break over time and would not be able to be easily replaced. Now I’m wishing we would’ve just done it… One long rod across the whole wall might be a little too much considering we open the window blinds often to let the sunlight in. I’m totally fine with keeping just the blinds for the windows and putting up curtains for the sliding door. This is probably the hardest design dilemma we’ve had with the house!
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You really have three different windows to dress. Have you considered roman shades for the two smaller? Use identical fabric but different applications. For the slider I would have the panels open only to the right so you could have one half of the window/door covered no matter if it is open or closed and then stack would never get in the way of the opening. I can see how one long rod would work just fine here. You will need supports a few places through the middle
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In our new house we used Hunter Douglas Duettes (wired & automated) with top-down/bottom-up for all the windows. On 3 of our sliders we use the Hunter Douglas Vertiglide shades, basically duettes that are vertical. Depending on the room, we used opaque or room darkening fabric. Very happy with all of them.
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TJ Reinert
Original Author
5 years ago
I normally love curtains with patterns, they are patterned in the other rooms. But with the rug being so bold and multicolored, I'm afraid the pattern curtains will make the small space look to busy. I do love the additional lighting idea though! I already bought a desk lamp and am searching for table lamps...and tables. lol
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
This chart should help with the table/lamp search.
PRO
Selectblinds
5 years ago
The stems that hold the vanes on the track can be brittle and may not be thick enough to hold fabric securely. If you have a way to sew in small, sturdy hangers that have a similar opening to the holes on the top of each vane, you may get this to work properly. Window tint coupled with curtains would be great for privacy and heat reduction, but you might want to opt for a rod if you're going with drapery.
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Instead of a window tint which will darken the room more and is of no help when it starts getting dark outside, have you considered a clear film with a pattern to it. There are tons of designs, but here’s a sample to show what I’m talking about.

Or you could just do a frost look
TJ Reinert
Original Author
5 years ago
those are what I was wanting. figures I just didn't use the right words.

I have thought of drapes, but that more holes in walls I don't own.
Molly
5 years ago
Maybe panels?
Denise Marchand
5 years ago
Patterned film on the sliders is a fantastic idea! Remove the verticals and give them back to the management.

or get sheer curtain panels with ties and loop the ties around the track with the vertical panels removed.

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/cotton-linen-curtain?category=curtains&color=010
Denise Marchand
5 years ago
These are fantastic for your space and on crazy sale with additional discounts. You may have to bring them to a tailor to make actual button holes for the tabs.

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/kimaya-curtain3?category=sale-curtains&color=014
PRO
Fenstermann LLC
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Depending on the depth of the doors, you can use bottom up top down operating shades. These shades move with your door and are perfect for privacy and light management. They are available in single pleated fabric or honeycomb in about 60 colors and textures...check us out at www.PleatedBlindsStore.com

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