Lighting fixtures / window treatment to add privacy from street

5 years ago

hello all,

We have a large window (8’h x 6’w) in our living room looking out on a quiet suburb street. My husband gets a claustrophobic feeling when I close the curtain panels we currently have at night. we both do not mind having it pretty open during the day. I do not feel the need to have the window covered as with the panels, but I am looking for a combination of lighting fixture / placement and window treatment to block at least a little the view from the street, while keeping a somewhat “open” window for my husband. For example, having a sheer curtain is ok by him. We are remodelling the entire first floor, so I can easily move outlets and down lights. Our house has a modern, contemporary style. I have been looking for articles or discussions in the matter, but couldn’t find any. Thanks !

Featured Answer

tartanmeup

5 years ago

What about bottom-top shades? The shades can be sheer enough not to block light but offer privacy in the evening. Have you browsed sites like Hunter-Douglas?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
What in heck does a light have to do with a widow treatment? Add sheer privacy UNDER the panels, via a Hunter Douglas Silhouette. Maybe you don't need curtain panels at all. Either way, without a photo,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,nobody can advise.
Related Discussions
window treatment with street lamp outside
Q
Comments (6)
I think your first idea should work well, but for another thought, what about doing layered WTs with sheers and blockout drapes? Then put holdbacks on either side of each window and when you need air, pull the outer drape back and arrange on the holdback in way to obstruct the brightest part of the street lamp or traffic light, yet still let the breeze come through. This could work well if one vertical half of the window tends to let in more light than the other vertical side. The top-down/bottom-up blinds would work better if you need more horizontal control. The sheers should still be light enough to let in a breeze. Is this more of a seasonal need to get an evening breeze during warm summer nights? In winter, the thicker WTs would also serve as insulation.
...See More
What window treatments for this street facing bedroom?
Q
Comments (19)
Hey There: How about bottom up top down operating honeycomb blinds...there fabric is black out and there is only very little light leakage on the side (compared to roller shades for example). Furthermore, you can leave the top part open during the day while preserving your privacy...check us out at www.PleatedBlindsStore.com for more ideas or call us for fabric samples. Photo Shown is a Day and Nite Blinds with two fabrics...
...See More
Wanted feedback on how to best add some window treatments
Q
Comments (4)
Unless you want to pay for custom length drapes by putting your rod at ceiling height and because you only need drapes for privacy, put a rod across the center. Go with a lighter weight material (not sheers, though) so that, when stacked open on each side, the material doesn't block the entire light from each of the narrow side windows.
...See More
Can I "split" tall street-facing windows for privacy? Is this a thing?
Q
Comments (6)
The Europeans do stuff like this all the time. They live cheek to jowl with each other for thousands of years. They have figured out how to keep things private while enjoying natural light and a view (when standing). Top down (aka bottom up) blinds are perfect. Or you can do that silly frilly thing that Germans/Austrians/Swiss like to do. They hang a curtain rod in the MIDDLE of the window (half way up/down) and then put some frilly/lacy/tacky material across it (usually white and can be tatting...which is SUPER expensive). It is the SAME IDEA but (IMHO) much uglier. The way to get things 'up' to the right level = pencil mark on the frame = premeasured for your convenience. Or you can try to repurpose old stuff. But in a yoga studio...do you want new, fresh, clean and simple without distractions or do you want to bring in the 'old karma' of the repurposed stuff??? A well intended 'repurpose' can look very upsetting if done poorly. Besides...this gives you the perfect opportunity to refresh/update your home without spending $30K on new windows and new siding and new insulation for a retrofit with SHORTER windows.
...See More
printesa
5 years ago
I'm a bit confused by the statement ' lighting fixture / placement and window treatment'.

Heavy curtains can be overwhelming, especially if the room is small. It also depends on the color of the curtains. If you want privacy, look for shades. You could look at the Hunter Douglas..they have all kinds..some that cover just the bottom part of the window, If you go for shades, go for a light color
sophiechoupette
Original Author
5 years ago
@printesa, @tartanmeup, thank you. I am indeed looking into bottom-up and HunterDouglas wide offering. What I mean is that I am looking into ways the room lighting can help with accentuating the privacy without completely blacking out the window with curtains or opaque blinds. In theory, if you can see outside, people from the street can see you. Some lighting configuration could help a little through reflection on the glass. might be through lighting outside as well. We are going to do some tests tonight and we have a designer coming to the house on Tuesday, I was just doing some research.

@Jan, I will elect to read your reply as that your professional opinion is that lighting will not make a difference. I am sure you did not intend to talk me down. I wish you a pleasant day.
scottie mom
5 years ago
Very interesting, and you’re going about it the right way, with nighttime experiments and a designer. I hope you’ll post more about the solution. Good luck!
simplechoices
5 years ago
Usually, if its dark outside people see into your light room and vise versa. We have both the silhouette shades and an up down. Both work nicely.
tartanmeup
5 years ago
Getting a designer for window treatments is a good idea. All sorts of options exist and it's not easy to navigate all the options online or in stores. Or maybe it's just me who finds it terribly confusing. Good luck! Hope you share your solution when you find it. :)
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
5 years ago
Years ago people would hang shear curtains and put a table and lamp in front of it. With the light on people cannot see in.
sophiechoupette
Original Author
5 years ago
This is the effect I am looking for, @Gracie01. Let’s see if I can achieve this in a more modern layout. Thank you and have a good day.
printesa
5 years ago
sophie, the experiment will surely give you better ideas as to what works. We've lived in our house for 10 years and still don't have the window treatments done..wanted one way, than realized I didn't like that and time just went by. Let us know how your experiment goes
PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
Nobody can see in in daylight, unless they press a nose to the glass. Darkness outside, and light inside, yes.......a view into your world without a translucent covering . How you light the room matters not. Lamps, recessed........yes, you can see. I can see into my living room from 300 yards. There's a lamp in the window : )
redsilver
5 years ago
They do have films that only cling to glass, these might help with your privacy in the dawn and dusk times of day, also.
PRO
Galilee Lighting
5 years ago
A pendant lighting chandelier could provide somewhat a privacy without blocking the view completely.

In Gailee lighting we make unique lighting made of art blown glass in beautiful styles. We specialize in custom lighting.

If you would like to receive our catalog by email contact Sales@GalileeLighting.com
visit www.GalileeLighting.com

We offer free design consultation, to design the perfect size of chandelier for your space.

Call us now 305-807-8711

CONTEMPORARY - DINING CHANDELIER, WHITE CANDLES- CONTEMPORARY GLASS CHADELIER b · More Info

REFLECTION hand blown glass chandelier BY GALILEE LIGHTING · More Info
imstillaredhead
5 years ago
I just put a lamp in front of the sheers that line the walls in solarium (office) and it somehow illuminates the curtains in a way that you cannot see inside. Thanks a bunch, Gracie01!!

Lighting fixtures / window treatment to add privacy from street

tartanmeup

Comments (14)

JAN MOYER

Related Discussions

printesa

sophiechoupette
Original Author

scottie mom

simplechoices

tartanmeup

gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago

sophiechoupette
Original Author

printesa

JAN MOYER

redsilver

Galilee Lighting

imstillaredhead

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Lighting fixtures / window treatment to add privacy from street

Comments (14)

Related Discussions

sophiechoupetteOriginal Author

sophiechoupetteOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

sophiechoupette
Original Author

sophiechoupette
Original Author