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Curtain ideas for french patio doors


22 Chic French Door Curtain Ideas to Freshen Up Your Space

Design: The Plot Binna BurraPhotography: Casa Morgan

A French door is really the best of both worlds–it provides a door with easy access to the outside and offers a large amount of window to let natural light flow in. They are often found in living spaces that have direct access to the outdoors, but they are also wonderful additions to the interior of your home.

But what happens when you swap a set of windows for a French door and still need some privacy? Though you can totally leave them bare for maximum light, you can install curtains the same way you would for windows to add a bit of privacy and give your French door a lot of texture and interest.

Whether you already have French doors you want to cover or you are considering adding a pair to your home, these lovely curtain ideas are perfect for adding privacy without taking away from your doors' beauty.

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Design: Maggie Griffin Design Photography: Brian Bieder

Curtains are a great opportunity to add color or pattern to your living room, but if you have an immense number of French doors, you may want to keep your curtains simple and understated so as not to take away from the rest of your decor. Pick a neutral color in the same family as the rest of your decor so your space will feel cohesive.

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Design: Maggie Griffin Design Photography: Brian Bieder

An open floor plan dining and kitchen space often has direct access to a patio or backyard. Here, French doors add a classic feel to the room and give the space a more traditional feel. If you have a fairly neutral room, consider a light hue to add a hint of color without overwhelming the room.

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Design: Maggie Griffin Design Photography: Brian Bieder

You should treat your French doors as you would windows and follow the same rules for hanging curtains. To give your room a grander feel, extend your curtains all the way from the ceiling to the floor. This will give the illusion of higher ceilings and make your space feel even more open and airy.

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Design: Studio Thomas James, IncPhotography: Costa Christ Media

If you have French doors in an area where you don't have a lot of room for curtains, consider something classic such as Roman shades. This is a great way to keep your space elevated, even if curtains or drapes don't fit your room.

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Design: The Plot Binna BurraPhotography: Casa Morgan

We love this bathroom design that features an unexpected French door directly outside. But of course installing French doors in your bathroom means you will definitely want to consider privacy. These airy curtains are opaque enough to lend enough privacy but don't feel too heavy for a bathroom.

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The Proud Weatherboard

Linen curtains are perfect for giving your space that understated and tranquil vibe. Keep them extra long and let them kiss the floor to incorporate that easy, breezy feel.

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Regina Sturrock Design

We love the monochromatic color scheme in this room with various shades of light, cool gray. The curtains cover both the French door and the transom windows above the doors, making the room appear larger and taller.

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Design: Interiors by AbodePhotography: SP Photography Ltd

Struggling to find the best curtain color for your French doors? Find an accent color from your room and pull it through to the window coverings.

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Meg Loren

When hanging a curtain rod, consider picking a finish that works well with the rest of your room. Here, a black curtain rod pairs wonderfully with the black door finish to give the whole room a seamless feel.

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New Andrew Home

Adding French doors will bring in a lot of natural light so if you don't need a lot of privacy, consider keeping the curtains sheer. This is a great way to add a touch of privacy without limiting the amount of natural light that filters in.

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Taylor Wimpey Crofton g

Adding curtain tiebacks is a great way to give your doors that window look and feel while still keeping the direct access to the outdoors.

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Kate Walker Design

You can opt for curtains that standout with a lot of contrast or you can opt for a color that blends into the wall. A curtain that disappears into the wall will allow the eye to focus on the rest of the room and the French doors instead.

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Collins Interiors

One way to add a bit of interest to your room is to pick a color that contrasts with the rest of your home decor without clashing. This can give the space depth.

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Design: Maggie Griffin Design Photography: Brian Bieder

A busy room with a lot of textures and patterns requires a curtain that can stand on its own. Consider a curtain with tassels or pom poms for extra embellishments that lend a lot of visual interest.

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Sash Windows London Ltd

An eye-catching hue such as mustard yellow is perfect for a French door curtain that you want to act as the focal point in the room. The silky fabric also makes a design statement as the rest of the room is kept minimal.

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Tara Fingold Interiors

Consider a subtle pattern that offers a touch of interest without feeing too busy. Keep the color palette soft and understated and go for a classic motif that ups the elegance in any space.

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Ioanna Lennox Design

Your French doors will feel even more elevated if you pick curtains that grace the floor ever so slightly. An extra inch or two will give your room that Parisian apartment feel, no matter how far from France you live.

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Design Lines Signature

Sometimes finding enough room around your French doors can limit your curtain options. If you don't have a lot of wall space on either side of your French doors, pull all of the curtains to one side for an asymmetric look.

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Terri Ricci Interiors

Any natural material, especially wood, feels substantial and should shine on its own. Opt for curtains that play well with the natural materials in your room rather than work against it.

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Rob Stuart Interiors

An interior French door adds a classic element to any room, but you may not want to be able to see what is on the other side. Whether you have a French door as a closet door or you want to separate too windows, add a curtain to better delineate the spaces.

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Elle Design Interiors

There's something incredibly striking and classic about an all-white room. Keep the look going with classic cool white curtains and a white framed French door.

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Sally Rotenstreich

A heavy drape is a great way to make your French doors feel like traditional windows in a classic living room. Playing up the symmetry of the room makes the whole space feel elevated.

Here is Your Step-by-Step Guide to Hanging Curtains

10 ways to dress them |

(Image credit: Kit Kemp)

Curtain ideas for French and patio doors can be the icing on the cake of a room, perfect for opening up your space. However, left undressed, they can leave a room feeling cold, especially when the weather is chilly or wet. And, if neighbors can see into your home, they are a must. 

Patio door ideas – often sliding doors found in more modern rooms, and French door ideas, which are usually double doors that open outwards, are both known for flooding spaces with light. 

But practicalities aside, curtain ideas for French and patio doors also allow you to add layering, color, pattern and texture to your rooms, creating an elegant, finished feel that really appeals to us at H&G. 

 Curtain ideas for French and patio doors

Having a raft of stylish window treatment ideas for every room is essential so you can block out harsh light in the summer and keep rooms warm and cozy in winter. 

We’ve put together 10 beautiful curtain ideas for French and patio doors to give you all the inspiration you need. 

1. Create a feature by using both paint and curtains

(Image credit: Gunter & Co )

If you are looking for curtain ideas generally, this is a clever idea for all your window frames, whatever their shape or scale. Here, these French doors are fully part of the design process and stand out in their own right. It’s worth noting that this design would work equally well as a curtain idea for patio doors that slide, too.

We asked interior designer Irene Gunter, Founder of Gunter & Co how she put together this stylish scheme: 

‘In this Belgravia maisonette design, the bedroom has French double doors which lead out onto a patio. Wall-to-wall curtains were added in front to help block out light and sound when the room is occupied, but by using heavy fabric floor-to-ceiling, the curtains will also help keep out any drafts. As well as these practical elements, the rich textures and deep folds of the Christopher Farr cloth fabric in the curtains help to create a cozy atmosphere in the bedroom when drawn.’

2. Frame your French doors with bountiful florals

(Image credit: Warner House)

For an all encompassing look, check out this curtain idea for French and patios doors by Warner House .  

The key is to frame your doors, allowing the fabric to be pulled right back from the woodwork, and the entire width of the doors to be shown. Hanging the curtains a little above the top of the doors' frames will also make them look taller, while the bottom hem should skim the floor for a smart finish. If you're not sure how to measure for curtains, our step-by-step guide can help you get this right.

3. Add a trim to create an interesting view

(Image credit: Kit Kemp)

French doors that step out onto a balcony? Yes please! When you have a view like this, you want to enhance it, not detract from it. 

Again, it’s worth considering how you want to frame it, and this is where trims and tie-backs can come into their own, gently changing the overall shape of the drapes when pulled back. 

4. Match curtain ideas for French doors to the rest of your decor 

(Image credit: Kelling Designs)

Although this seems obvious, it’s a design feature that can be overlooked, and the other aspect worth remembering is to match your curtain ideas for French doors to your windows too.  

‘In terms of colors and pattern, this is really a case of personal preference, however I always opt for neutral curtains if there's a lot of color and pattern in the room already,’ says Emma Deterding, Founder and Creative Director at Kelling Designs .

‘Not only does this help to balance the scheme, but if you have spectacular views out the window or through patio doors, then this will allow them to flow into the room making the room feel a lot larger. If you have a neutral design scheme, then introducing some color and pattern through curtains will not only make a statement, but will automatically draw the eye to the window, again making the room feel more spacious.’

5. Ensure curtain ideas for patio doors are practical

(Image credit: Emma Lee)

Curtain ideas for patio doors need to tick a few practical boxes. Wispy ethereal fabric looks great in some settings, in the warmer summer months for example, but in the winter when the wind is howling, the wafting drapes will not be wafting for the right reasons! 

Instead, the best option is a pair of fully lined curtains that completely cover the entire patio door frame so they capture all the pesky drafts, as Penny Morrison, interior designer at Penny Morrison Studio explains:

‘French doors and patio curtains always make a room feel more cozy! Due to their size, particularly height, it is a great opportunity to use a larger scale pattern. Curtains hung on poles tend to work best. If using a pelmet you need to hang them quite high above the lintel so that the door still functions and that you don’t block too much light.’

6. Curtain ideas for French and patio doors can work with architectural elements

(Image credit: Gunter & Co )

Sometimes you need to consider the original features of your space, for example, in this charming bedroom with patio doors leading out onto a balcony, drapes wouldn’t work. It has beautiful shutters that were restored so in this case a simple blind will suffice instead of curtains. 

‘In this project we often had furniture or radiators below the windows, so having full height curtains was not an option,’ explains Irene Gunter, Founder of Gunter & Co.

‘We used double Roman blinds, whereby the sheer was positioned as close as possible to the window panes. A blackout Roman blind was positioned at the front of the window so you could fully appreciate the beautiful architrave wrapping around the window. ’

7. Coordinate blinds with French and patio door curtains

(Image credit: Warner House)

‘Different shapes and sizes of doors and windows may call for different window dressing solutions and using the same fabric for both curtains and blinds is a great way to tie a room together, creating a sense of warmth and depth,’ advised Emma Clarke, Director of Warner House.

‘As shown on the above image, we have used Balmoral as both a curtain and a blind to great effect in the same room. With both curtains and blinds we recommend the use of beautiful linings. Blackout could be a consideration or interlined for an elegant finish. Adding tape or bullion trims to the bottom edge creates interest bringing individuality to your scheme.’

8. Use your French door curtains to add pattern to a dramatic scheme

(Image credit: ILIV)

If you’re a fan of dark and dramatic, then you can use your French door drapes to soften the look and add pattern. It works really well in this dining room and you can of course match to your seat cushions, table runner and napkins.  

It’s all about balance and the finer details, note the chrome pendants match the chrome curtain rails, it’s these small elements that make a scheme work.

9. Choose a curtain print that blends with your outside view

(Image credit: Villa Nova )

When you’re searching for curtain ideas for French and patio doors and the view beyond is perfect, then it really is worth choosing a fabric that features the colors you can see outside. 

This Norrland print from VillaNova captures the stillness of forest landscapes and shows you how well it can work – the darker tones match the table top, the taupes pick up the foliage and tree bark and the painterly marks mimic the movement of nature when there’s a light breeze. 

10. You don’t always need a matching pair…

(Image credit: Black Edition )

Make a sweeping statement with one single drape held by a holdback. It’s really striking without taking away from the beautiful period detailing above the French doors and coving.  

The chosen Zafaro fabric from Black Edition fits perfectly with the wall color and even though this house is old, the fabric teamed with the retro furniture gives it a contemporary edge. 

What curtains go with French and patio doors? 

The best way to treat French doors in terms of curtains is exactly how you would treat windows. You can chose fabrics that suit your color scheme – this applies to both French and patio doors – and you should consider the weight of the fabric, with lightweights ideal for the summer months, and heavier weight fabrics a better choice for warmth in winter. Lastly, ensure that curtains for French and patio doors reach to just above the floor – any fabric that drapes on to the floor across a thoroughfare will quickly become grubby.

How do you hang curtains on French and patio doors? 

You can hang curtains on French and patio doors the same way as you do with curtains hung at windows, outside of the frame, so that the curtains can be pulled right back from the frame to reveal the entire width of the doors.  

Our guide on how to hang curtains will be a useful read if you need more guidance.

Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.

French doors - F L A S H D E C O R — LiveJournal

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THERE | HERE

French doors provide a minimum amount of privacy, their purpose is mainly decorative. However, they are popular with people who are looking for ways to bring more natural light into their homes.

This concept probably goes back to the Renaissance in Europe, where large mansions had huge gardens and patios that opened onto outside French patio doors. French patio doors look simple, elegant and weather resistant. nine0003


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When used inside a home, French doors give rooms a cheerful, airy feel while providing a visual bridge between two adjacent living spaces. In some cases, French doors may be bolted to act as a replacement for interior walls.
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French doors originated in France in the 17th century. During the Renaissance, both art and architecture were well developed and flourished under the influence of new ideas. Doors originated as windows that reached to the floor and were placed on small balconies. nine0013 4

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French windows to the balcony and their views, French glazing of the loggia, photo

Content of Article

An original solution for creating an unusual design of a house or apartment will be the installation of French balcony glazing. Beautiful panoramic views, increased natural light and high aesthetic qualities are some of the reasons to choose French windows for your balcony. Let us consider this issue in more detail and understand the features of such window structures. nine0003

Excursus into history

The 7th century, rich in innovative ideas of architects, became the era of creating spacious window openings throughout the wall. The hot climate of French Provence contributed to the emergence of French windows, which are a pair of sliding or hinged doors, more like doors. They were installed in the houses of the southern provinces in rooms with access to a patio or private garden. From here there was an amazing view of the Alps, river valleys and the soft beauty of the local nature. To embody the idea of ​​continuing nature in the house and the opportunity to admire the beautiful views from the windows, these designs were developed. This innovative solution in architecture came to Russia in the middle of the twentieth century. nine0003 Wooden French windows-doors, behind which a beautiful view of nature opens

What modern French window constructions are made of

Although the dimensions of French window sashes are quite large, almost any materials can be used for their production. It can be wood, and plastic that has become so familiar. But the most widespread is the aluminum profile due to its high strength and the presence of an insulated design option, which is very important for French glazing. The use of aluminum in glazing, both in pure form and in alloys, can be attributed to the middle of the last century, but it appeared in residential construction not so long ago. nine0003

The peculiarity of this aluminum profile is its design, which has two outer aluminum layers and a middle layer of heat insulation. Polyamide material, reinforced with fiberglass, not only perfectly retains heat, but also protects your home from extraneous noise from the street. For these reasons, this polyamide-based bet was called "thermal break" or "thermal bridge", and professionals began to call the aluminum profile "warm" or "insulated". Various systems of fittings are used together with aluminum profiles, so it can be used to make sashes, equipping them with a variety of opening methods. All these factors characterize the French windows on the balcony as universal. nine0003

Tip: To achieve the maximum level of sound and heat insulation of a balcony with plastic French windows, you should choose a profile thickness of at least 42 mm, and provide double-glazed windows with two or three chambers.

Construction types

French hinged windows

French windows are a very unusual type of glazing. Its main task is the complete release of the opening when the sashes are opened. Therefore, their design is devoid of impost , which is an integral element of any other windows and works as a vertical stiffener. Due to their absence, the sashes of panoramic windows are equipped with sash joints, or the entire structure is supported by frames that have two or three or a monorail profile. Through such solutions, the sashes roll back to the sides, without preventing the full opening of the opening. nine0003

Classic French balcony - what is it? You will find the answer to this question in our article. It also contains tips for arranging both classic and modern versions of such structures.

And about the features and benefits of sash windows and doors can be found in this material.

And you will learn everything about aluminum windows to the balcony here. What are the advantages and specifics of the installation.

French glazing consisting of 9 sections0002 In addition, the area of ​​the French glazing of a loggia or balcony is divided into sections with independent glazing of each of them, which makes it possible to strengthen the frame of a large area. The need for sectional division may not arise only with aluminum profile with tempered glass glazing . And this embodiment assumes the location of sections in the entire height of the balcony - from the lower to the upper floor, or its installation on a prepared base 30-50 cm high.

The most common type of French window can be called portal , the movable doors of which act as doors and roll back to the sides on the stationary neighbors. The most common place for the installation of portals are premises that have access to a terrace or a spacious balcony. Due to the increased area of ​​​​glass structures and in the absence of a folding system in the room, a beautiful panorama opens up, uniting the room and nature outside the window. In addition, such a French door to the balcony has a whole range of other advantages:

French doors are often made according to the "book" or "accordion" principle. At the same time, a glass wall, made up of a maximum of seven wings, can be completely removed by stacking them near the wall of the room, thereby freeing the opening. This system is perfect for glazing balconies with a wide doorway. nine0003

Familiar to us from bus doors, sliding flaps are used for low ultimate loads (up to 100 kg). Perfect for French balcony glazing in old houses (in Khrushchev or Brezhnevka), whose balcony slabs will not withstand serious loads.

Lift-and-slide types of French windows (portal doors) can be equipped with exits to balconies or terraces that require impressive door leaf sizes and are heavy (up to 400 kg). The principle of operation is as follows: when the handle is turned, the roller carriages extend from the lower end, lift the canvas and move the sash along the adjacent fixed rail. The closed design involves hidden carriages, a seal tightly pressed between the lowered doors and the strip. nine0003 French balcony doors - sliding portal

Is it necessary to coordinate the installation of French windows? This is due both to the peculiarities of the building's building structures, security issues, and to bureaucratic delays.

Since any changes to the facade of an apartment building are necessarily carried out with the receipt of permits, this issue should be carefully studied. nine0003

It's all about the need to dismantle part of the outer wall or parapet to install a panoramic structure. If the installation of French windows does not violate the reliability and durability of the building as a whole, then it is possible to coordinate these changes, obtain permission and bring the idea to life. To do this, you will need:

- written consent of the owner of the building or maintenance service;

— conclusion of technical services on the possibility of making changes to the layout;

— to design French glazing for a balcony or loggia; nine0003

- coordinate it with Rospotrebnadzor and the Ministry of Emergency Situations;

- if the reconstruction is carried out in a building of historical value - obtain the consent of the relevant department.

After that, all received documents, together with the previously issued BTI passport and certificate of ownership, must be submitted for consideration to the municipal commission.

Advice: This long and difficult path can be walked not on your own, but with the help of companies specializing in facade glazing with French windows, which offer a comprehensive solution to all problems. nine0003

Balcony heat with French glazing

Warm French plastic glazing

Since the climate in our country is fundamentally different from the southern provinces of France, the installation of French windows on the balcony will create significant heat loss in winter and overheating of the room in summer. The issue of creating comfortable conditions in this room must be resolved in advance. If the area lies in a zone with a temperate or warm climate, then in order to comfortably survive the winter, the existing heating system and the installation of triple glazing will be enough. In other regions, it will be necessary to provide an autonomous heating system or additionally insulate with a warm floor. An alternative to these difficulties is the use of glass coatings that reflect infrared radiation. It effectively copes with the task, but will last only 5, maximum 7 years. nine0003

If you have not yet fully decided on the choice of windows, then our article will be useful to you, which describes the types and manufacturers of window profiles, as well as their characteristics.

Energy-saving film on the windows will also help you keep warm. Features of its use are described here.

Another heating option is to heat the loggia with the help of infrared ceiling heaters. An overview of popular models and installation tips can be found here. nine0003

Installation principle

First of all, it should be said that professional installers will be able to install the structure with high quality and without unforeseen damage to the building envelope, while providing a guarantee for their work.

The quality of the installation determines the observance of the technological sequence:

- installation of the frame with anchors, excluding block distortion and increase in gaps of more than 20 mm, subsequently filled with mounting foam. Cutting off excess volume of insulating material, applying waterproofing tape and plastering joints. nine0003

- hanging sashes.

- removal of the protective coating from the profile.

Design and shading methods

French window decoration

Depending on the preferences of the owners, French windows can be equipped with stained-glass windows, tinted with film, equipped with louvre grilles or special types of curtains.

Learn more