I put panels to either side of my bedroom sliding door. We very seldom open the door as well; however, we did extend the rod about 15" to either side so that the panels stacked back to either side of trim so on those rare occasions when we do want to access the sliding door, the panels were not in front. The suggestion of a tie back is a good one if you do require more frequent access since I noticed if there is any wind, then the drapes will blow out the open sliding door and I have to be mindful of that when I close it. All and all, though, I much prefer the more balanced, symmetrical look of two panels; whether formal or informal.

Oh, I so agree with the last 3 posters--this door doesn't match our house at all! It's a small 900sf ranch. BUT my DH has driven around the neighborhood, seen this type of door & likes it. As for a different shape--this is the price of the door 'off the shelf' at Lowes. Anything different would be more $$...not gonna happen! So far I'm liking the faux glass paint best since the glass is not smooth for the wallpaper idea to work. And yes, spending $600 on a door & then trying to paint the glass does seem crazy to me too. But I'm sure it will look nicer than our now-50-yr-old door. I am trying to make the best of the situation, hoping my DH will change his mind. Thanks everyone for your help!

Both blinds and drapes can be practical, especially if the intent is to leave the drape panels apart and have them cover only the side window trim, using the blinds (lowered and/or closed) when there is a need for light control and/or privacy. Some have expressed the opinion that a valance -- even a plain one -- is "out of style" but a lot of those same people actually seem to like the sloppy drapes dragging on the floor look (which is a fad I hope is or soon will be over). In my opinion (not shared by some pros here on Houzz), a valance is not "out of style" -- there is a place for them, especially if the drapes have a rod pocket top hem and that part of the rod holding the drape panels hides the rod. In that case having the rod between the panels also covered is a far more finished look than leaving a wide expanse of exposed curtain rod between two panels of drapes. Having a valance between drape panels can also cover/hide raised mini-blinds -- some newer mini-blinds come without strings and do raise/lower as advertised. Having all those metal and/or plastic rings that are attached to both the curtain/drape panels and the rod in dark or shiny metal exposed that seem designed to attract attention doesn't seem, to me, to be a "finished" look. If you leave the rod and rings exposed, consider white or another light color that more visually "disappears". If the old style flat white rods are used with a traditional rod pocket, and either the panels meet or you use a valance, the rod pocket would enable the side of the rod to be hidden, too -- the rod wouldn't show at all. Another look I like are those drapes with separate fabric rod pockets (tab top) -- (but only with and a rod finish chosen to visually "disappear"). (Loathe the sloppy drag the floor look though): https://www.wayfair.com/window-treatments/pdp/lark-manor-rivau-solid-sheer-tab-top-single-curtain-panel-lark8302.html The newer style drapes with the holes in the top of the drapes themselves that the rod is run through (again, with the rod color chosen to visually "disappear") is, to me, a better casual look than having a dark rod/rings draw attention to itself..

What purpose would the door covering serve? Privacy? Light control? Decorative only? I would never use vertical blinds--I just don't like them. So that leaves either curtain panels on a rod with enough fullness to cover the entire span of glass, or some sort of Roman shade installed high up on the molding or wall (if you need privacy and/or light control). If it's decorative only, then curtain panels that cover part of the glass/frame, but that can be pulled back far enough to open the door.