Hey dlm - another dlm here ;-) We have a slider in our family room with pleated shades and a semi shear drape on rings. When the shades are up all the way, they pretty much disappear because they have a small stack height. The drape pulls to one side with an attached wand. I don't think this is a foo foo look but then foo is in the eye of the beholder! We don't have the need for darkness in this room as you might in a bedroom, so this works for us. Duettes are very nice - not sure if they have a room darkening option or if you would want that. Pleated and cellular shades do have that option. And of course you can go that hotel route and use black out lining on or behind drapes but it sound like your DH is not on board with that.

You can do the panels On the slider which can be pulled aside (they can on windows too) for unibstructed view when opened. It’s also acceptable to shutter the windows with panels and then just place panels on slider. I would do three full panels testing the two windows as one large one. Have them shuttered that way as well so it’s not as choppy. The space between the slider and window i would do one double panelto dress both sides. Or you can do a natural woven shade or roman shade on double windows that pulls up and down. Neither of these will give you view unless opened all the way. Maybe if we saw more of the room we could tell you which would best suit the space.

I would use a roman shade on the window, mounted at the ceiling to retain the most light when open. Get one with a blackout lining. A roman shade allows you to open the window even if the shade is partially down. For the sliders, I think drapes are best. Mount the rod just below the soffit, and extend it on either side of the doors, so you have room for the drapes to hang out of the way. If you use good quality fabric, again with linings, you can have great light and climate control.

eld6161.........thanks. I too am in Florida. My second shutter vendor was here yesterday to measure and price, etc. The first told me I would find the slider "cumbersome", the second disagreed....and offered a reg. slider or a bi-fold slider. Did you have that option and did you use a bi-fold design anywhere? I do see where it would allow in more light, balance the visual appearance of the door when both open, but I hadn't even been expecting that option and I am typically NOT a bi-fold fan.....thx for any additional info you can share.