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.

I would do something simple like Hunter Douglas Duette shades in their opaque fabric with the top-down/bottom-up option. They can be easily inside or outside mounted, depending on space available. Here are mine in my master bathroom. See how I have the top rail lowered to be able to see outside, but rest of the window is covered, but still allows light through. You can have them all open, all closed or partially open like my photo. This is the third house that I have used this type of blinds throughout the house and been very happy with them.

I would extend the fabric/rod beyond the window to open up the space as much as possible. a Textured Linen panel (matching the wall color) on rings for easy open/close. Limit the decor, a small room would benefit from trim paint the same color as wall color. a simple top down/bottom blind for privacy and light control Blinds.com offers great options.

I still stand with Jilly’s first example of cafe curtains that are placed about 3/4 of the way up the window. If they would be on rings you could very easily open them during the day and close them at night. I would want light whenever possible. Hopefully the neighbor cannot see in during the daytime.