Patio door curtains and blinds ideas
Patio Door Curtain Ideas for Different Needs and Tastes
The choices seem limitless when it comes to window treatments for your patio door. From blackouts to sheers, here are 10 patio door curtain ideas to consider for your door.
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
1 / 8
via amazon,com
Blackout Printed Curtains
While there are times you want to enjoy the sunlight, there are other times you need to keep it out, especially in a bedroom. These blackout curtains block up to 95 percent of the sun’s light while bringing some style to your room.
Shop Now
2 / 8
via JC Penney
Sheer Door Curtains
Sheer curtains are a good choice if you want to enjoy some of the sun’s natural light while also having a bit of privacy. These sheer curtains come in several different colors that complement any decor, making them one of our favorite patio door curtain ideas
Shop Now
3 / 8
via Hunter Douglas
Honeycomb Shades
If curtains don’t work with your decor, consider shades for your patio door. These honeycomb shades are great for both cold and warm clients as they increase energy efficiency. According to the manufacturer, “Their honeycomb construction traps air in distinct pockets, which creates insulation that can help lower your energy consumption and energy bills.”
Shop Now
4 / 8
via Wayfair
Indoor/Outdoor Curtains
An indoor/outdoor curtain is a great option if your patio doors are often left open to let the air in. The curtains are made to withstand the elements as they are mildew resistant, water repellent and offer some UV protection.
Buyers noted they were easy to hang, are well-made and hold up nicely.
Shop Now
5 / 8
via Amazon
French Door Curtains
Available in a variety of colors, these French door curtains block out up to 95 percent of the sun’s unwanted light and also help insulate your home during the colder months. When it comes to patio door curtain ideas, some people say the ability to block out all light when needed is a must.
“We bought these for the French doors in our bedroom,” said one buyer. “We needed something that looked great but would block light. These arrived and are perfect. We ordered the Platinum color. The fabric is a nice thick quality and works great for blocking light!”
Shop Now
6 / 8
via Hunter Douglas
Shutters
Shutters are another attractive option for patio doors. These hardwood shutters are available in more than 15 colors and several sizes, making them a great choice for adding some privacy and blocking out some sunlight.
Shop Now
7 / 8
via All Modern
Sliding Panels
Forget traditional fabric curtains and check out these sliding panels for your patio doors. You might think they’d be tricky to install, but they’re not! In fact, this is one of the easiest to install patio door curtain ideas.
Shop Now
8 / 8
via amazon.com
Sheer Waterproof Curtains
If you like to leave your patio door open to let the breeze in and are worried about your curtains getting wet, these outdoor sheer curtains may be a good option for you. Shown here hung on a pergola, these mildew-and-water-resistant curtains work equally well on patio doors.
Shop Now
Originally Published: April 12, 2019
Rachel Brougham
Writer and editor with a background in news writing, editorial and column writing and content marketing.
Curtains for Sliding Glass Doors: Ideas for Inspired Design
By Rachel Brown | Published on
Buy Now
Curtains for sliding glass doors are essential elements for the most functional home design.
Window treatments for sliding doors provide privacy, allow you to control light, and give the wide glass doors a more elegant look.
Curtains make sliding doors more attractive and blend with the room in a more seamless way.
According to interior designer Julie Williams, curtains provide many benefits including accentuating and framing architectural features like the large glass expanse to create a more effective focal point for the room.
Curtains for Sliding Glass Doors: Types
Curtains or DrapesCurtain panels and drapes are the most common window treatments for sliding glass doors.
Curtains and drapes on sliding glass doors should be wide enough to close in the middle and easy to open and close.
Curtains or drapes for sliding glass doors work in many weights depending on how much privacy you need, ranging from sheer curtains to blackout curtains.
ValanceA valance is a good choice for your sliding door if you live in a private area and/or if you don’t need privacy in a certain room.
These curtains hang down from the top of the doors and cover just the top. You can use a valance in combination with other window treatments like shades.
ShadesThere are many shade options for sliding glass doors. You can use Roman shades mounted above the sliding glass doors or choose vertical blinds or sliding shutter panels.
How to Measure Curtains for Sliding Glass Doors- First, decide how much area you want to cover with your curtains.
- Next, measure the width of the total area and then multiply that number by 2 or 3 depending on how full you want your curtains.
Then, divide that number by 2 in order to give you a number for both sides of the door frame.
For example, if I measure my total width and come up with the number 100 inches, I would multiply this times 3 to get 300 inches. I would next divide this by 2 to get 150 inches for each side. This way, I can determine how many panels I need for each side.
- Measure the line from where you will mount your curtain hangers/rod down to about 1/2 inch above the floor. This number will be the length of your curtain panels.
- For a more custom look, buy curtains that you can mount at least 4-6 inches above the door frame if your wall allows.
Update the look of your sliding glass doors with curtains and window treatments. Here are some great designs for you to consider when deciding on the look you want.
Curtains for the Entire Wall
If you have full windows beside your sliding doors, try curtain panels that will cover the windows and doors together.
This look works well for sliding glass doors that are unremarkable in design or a sliding door that needs to be updated.
Low Mounted Curtain Panels
In some rooms, the framing of the wall surrounding the sliding glass doors determines the way that you must hang the curtains.
The homeowners chose to use a light and airy style curtain that does not block out the sunlight to make the door feel larger.
Curtains to the Ceiling
One way to give visual height to a room with low ceilings is to mount curtains all the way to the ceiling. This draws the eye upward and gives the room a more elegant style.
Understated Minimalist Curtains
Curtains are a functional aspect of interior spaces, but in order to create a simple style, this designer chose to use curtains that blend with the window and door trim.
This keeps the focus on the beauty of the outdoor spaces rather than the focus on the window treatments.
Curtains for Complete Coverage
The Jodi Foster design company created this serene and beautiful bedroom. In a place like a bedroom, privacy and light control are important.
In this room, they used thick blackout curtains over the sliding glass doors. They hung the curtains as high as the wall framing allows.
The sliding door curtains cover the transom window for full light control.
Roman Shades for Sliding Glass Doors
This room from Own By Design utilizes seagrass roman shades to cover the windows and the sliding door. These window treatments provide more texture in the design and create continuity with the outside environment.
Open Doors and Windows
If you live in a private area or overlook a gorgeous view, consider leaving your sliding door uncovered. Griffin Enright Architects designed this room with the large windows and sliding doors.
If you like this look but you still want a way to cover the sliding glass door, consider using roller shades mounted high above the door to minimize their appearance.
Sliding Panel BlindsMy Direct Blinds
Vertical blinds are a more modern look than curtains or shades. These panel blinds are energy efficient, and slide open and closed on a track for full functionality. You can buy these panels in various weights including solid panels and more sheer vertical shades.
Double Curtains for Sliding Glass DoorsIKEA
Layering different curtains or curtains and shades on sliding doors creates more depth and different textures in your design. This gives you a custom look and allows you to have different levels of light control.
Cellular ShadesSkyline
Cellular shades, or honeycomb shades, work well for patio doors with a contemporary or minimalist design style. In addition, cellular shades are energy efficient as they trap air and block drafts of air. They have intense blackout capabilities and keep your room as dark as you require.
These window coverings have sliding panels that you attach using a glide track.
You can mount these tracks at the edge of the door frame to hide the hardware for a seamless look.
Shutters for Sliding Glass DoorsSunburst Shutters
Shutters are not an option that most would consider for sliding glass doors, but these new shutters have a unique design that make them work for sliding glass doors.
The fabricators build these blinds into the door frame. They slide open and closed for ease of use. Blinds allow you more ability to control light and privacy with small variations of the louvers.
Cascade Curtains for Sliding Glass Doors
These sliding door window treatments from Dani Designs do not require hardware of any kind. They resemble the style of roman shades and fit inside the door frame.
One of the best benefits of these shades is that they fit doors of every length. Just adjust the vertical straps on the front of the shades in order to customize the length.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
Can you put curtains on sliding glass doors?
It is not the best method to put curtains on sliding glass doors themselves as these doors are used on a regular basis.
Instead, it is best to hang window treatments for sliding glass doors above them. However, there are some window treatments that you mount close above the door frame. These include the track for vertical blinds as well as shutters that you mount inside the door frame.
What coverings do you use for sliding glass doors?
There are many options for window treatments for sliding glass doors including curtains, drapes, shades, and shutters.
What size curtain do you need for a sliding door?
You can use different sizes depending on the look you want. If you just want curtains to cover the door, measure the width and multiply this by 2 or 3 depending on the fullness you want. Find the length by measuring the line from where you want to mount the curtains down to 1/2 inch above the floor. If you decide that you want to cover more of the area beside the door like the windows or wall beside them, include the additional width into your calculation.
Why is my sliding glass door so drafty?
Many sliding glass doors are old so the seals have worn down over the years.
You can remove and replace the seals to create a tighter seal that doesn’t allow air through. In addition, you can add window treatments that help insulate the doors. Use heavy drapes to help block air flow. Also, use cellular shades because they trap and block air.
How do you make a sliding glass door more energy efficient?
The best way to make these doors more energy efficient is to make sure that all the seals are tight and to cover them with energy efficient window treatments like heavy drapes or cellular shades.
Covering sliding glass doors can be a design challenge as many are dated and lack interesting architectural features.
You can remedy the look and style of these doors while still maintaining their function with beautiful window treatments that you customize for your home.
Choose curtains that blend into your decor or make a statement with bold colors. Your biggest problem will be deciding between all the beautiful options available.
photo examples, modern design ideas
The advantages of using outdoor curtains
Curtains for gazebos and verandas not only blend perfectly with the overall exterior, but also have a number of advantages:
- Constructions made of dense materials perfectly protect the room from the sun and heat .
- Waterproof models with impregnation, effectively protect against rain and wind.
- Curtains prevent insects from entering.
- Create a private atmosphere and hide from prying eyes. nine0008
- They mask minor building defects.
Types of curtains
There are several options for outdoor curtain designs.
Roller blinds
Easy to use, do not take up much space, perfectly prevent the penetration of bright sunlight into the room. Quite often, translucent models are chosen for external curtains, they gently shade the veranda or gazebo and do not deprive you of the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding view. nine0005
The photo shows translucent roller blinds on the summer veranda.
Radiant blinds
Similar to blinds, only such a light protection system is installed outside. This outdoor structure prevents the heating of the room and is not subject to deformation and corrosion.
The photo shows a veranda with light-colored street blinds.
Classic curtains
Curtains can radically change and enliven the appearance of the building. They are able to create a cozy atmosphere in the room and contribute to relaxation and a relaxing holiday. Such models can be used both in an open veranda and in a glazed one. nine0005
The photo shows a terrace with classic printed curtains.
Material of outdoor curtains
Different materials are used to make outdoor curtains.
Plastic (PVC)
Soft and flexible polymer or polyethylene strip curtains, ideal for gazebos and porches. They have high strength, elasticity and have very good protective characteristics. nine0005
The photo shows a gazebo finished with PVC plastic street curtains.
Tarpaulin
Reliable and durable.
But they have the only drawback, they cannot decorate the exterior of the veranda or gazebos in the country with their appearance.
The photo shows a wooden gazebo decorated with canvas street curtains.
Acrylic
Acrylic curtains are waterproof and able to withstand various temperature changes. Beautifully scatter the sun's rays and create an interesting lighting effect. nine0005
Pictured are light colored acrylic curtains on the terrace.
Canvas
Thick fabric will protect your gazebo or porch from wind and rain. Such canvases perform only a practical function, since in the exterior they look a little rough.
Fabric (burlap, oxford fabric)
Ideal for decorating these buildings. Burlap products in muted colors look, albeit simple, but at the same time very elegant. Oxford awning fabric has high strength and perfectly protects the room in bad weather.
nine0005
The photo shows a terrace decorated with green oxford outdoor curtains.
Photo examples for gazebos
Plain curtains or curtains with various prints, perfectly fit into the surrounding landscape design, create a mood and make the room bright. Light curtains are especially well suited for decorating a wooden gazebo.
The photo shows transparent orange curtains in a summer gazebo. nine0005
Veranda Design Ideas
Using curtains to design a summer veranda allows you to place accents in the room and set the direction for the overall style. Various fabric products will give the building a romantic look and aesthetics, and more practical models will create a quiet and calm environment.
The photo shows a veranda decorated with dark outdoor blinds.
Terrace options
Models of the simplest configuration, harmoniously fit into the overall exterior, decorate it with their appearance and perfectly perform practical functions.
