Would you put curtains over french doors?

Bobbie Hudson
by Bobbie Hudson
I have the french doors in my living room. The living room is separated by a large fireplace. It goes out into a sunroom.
That's the living room with the French doors. Would you put window treaments over and what kind?
  82 answers
  • Carolanne Carolanne on Nov 02, 2016
    Yes, I would co-ordinate with the wall color so that the fireplace is the focal point. Shades or blinds.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 02, 2016
    I like the natural light with nothing on my windows. A matter of preference.
  • Rai2755762 Rai2755762 on Nov 02, 2016
    Beautiful as is!
  • William William on Nov 02, 2016
    My opinion! Curtains on french doors is kind of tacky. They look good with no covering, allow natural light in, and a great architectural detail. If privacy was an issue (yours are not), I would cover the glass panes with a translucent contact paper. Love the transoms above the doors.
  • Black Hills Rosie Black Hills Rosie on Nov 02, 2016
    My French doors are direct to outdoors deck and so much hot sun came through. I finally hung sheers to an extra wide rod with rings so that I can pull them back. The rod extends past the outer edges of the doors so that the sheers only frame the doors then. I really like that yours open to a sun room.
  • Mari Ro Mari Ro on Nov 02, 2016
    I have bamboo blinds over my french doors.
  • Estelle Combs Estelle Combs on Nov 03, 2016
    I might "stain glass" or frost the panes to let in light but provide privacy too. Both can be achieved with a painting technique.
  • Tina Tina on Nov 03, 2016
    I had curtains on my French Doors and took them down. It looks much nicer without.
  • Ann Ann on Nov 03, 2016
    My french doors go directly outside and privacy is not an issue but I put sheer curtains up using magnetic curtain rods for a change of decor. I can take them down anytime.
  • Don2409630 Don2409630 on Nov 03, 2016
    No unless the privacy is needed. It lets the outside come in! The room looks as if it continues outside.
  • Brenda Brenda on Nov 03, 2016
    If you do drapes just do door and not transom
  • Sdd1195258 Sdd1195258 on Nov 03, 2016
    Definitely not!
  • Prugal Prugal on Nov 03, 2016
    French doors are decorative by themselves, if it s not a privacy issue show them off!!!
  • Sandy Hopper Webster Sandy Hopper Webster on Nov 03, 2016
    Absolutely not. Blinds or roman shades above maybe if you need privacy
  • Mary Mary on Nov 03, 2016
    Will add sheer curtains from ceiling to floor to add a touch of warm to the room
  • Deb Baleston Deb Baleston on Nov 03, 2016
    I also have french doors in my livingroom that leads to the deck on the southside of my house. Sun beats in like a mad gorilla. I didn't want the LR to be dark so I used a cornstarch paste to paint the glass panels and "painted" on some of my favorite lace. LOVE this technique and has made a difference in LR temp as well as adding privacy. Check out for full directions: https://annabelvita.com/2013/04/18/lace-windo... Have fun with it!
  • Lu Ann Sieber Lu Ann Sieber on Nov 03, 2016
    I have done the stained glass frosting (and designs) on my french doors. turned out beautiful and lets the light in, but not as glaring. You can make it as elaborate or as simple as you want......lots of choices!!
  • Lillian Whitworth Lillian Whitworth on Nov 03, 2016
    Yes I would. I have a French door separating sunroom and kitchen. The glare is sometimes to much.
  • Carole Bisby Carole Bisby on Nov 03, 2016
    I would add blinds to them. They have the paper ones like an accordion and you can pull them up all the way when you want or what ever length you want for the time of day!!
  • Kathleen Kathleen on Nov 03, 2016
    As Mary has stated, sheers on the side, does add a touch of warmth to the room and a touch of elegance.
  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Nov 03, 2016
    Depending on the curtains thickens,that would be the issue.Are you trying to reduce heat from the doors or is it just for some privacy?
  • B J  Alexis B J Alexis on Nov 03, 2016
    Agree with Sophia, depends on why--if to keep out cold or heat, drapes or even tightly woven sheers, if just for privacy I would have something like bamboo shades installed, in a light color, but only over the doors.
  • Polly Fuller Polly Fuller on Nov 03, 2016
    i had the same arrangement in my house in Georgia. It's beautiful just as it is with all the wonderful light coming into the room. if you need privacy, you can put poles on brackets over the doors and have curtains with rings that you can slide over to cover in the evening. i would put them close to the wall not to compromise the windows
  • Kim Fair Kim Fair on Nov 03, 2016
    I think regular curtains would block out the light--which you need and cover up the great element of the transom and doors-- yet there seems to 've something missing here. Perhaps interesting new door knobs-- or paint the ones you have. Also-- I think it would look great and add some uniqueness if you etched the glass in the transom. That way you keep the light but make it your place. Good luck. It's a nice room.
  • Dale Diane Hedgecough Dale Diane Hedgecough on Nov 03, 2016
    if you do not need drapes for warmth or privacy your decorating does not need them
  • Char Char on Nov 03, 2016
    if you need privacy, use frosted contact paper or spray. you could do some of the windowlets and leave others without. it gives it a classy look. i didn't like curtains on mine but if i had swing arms curtain rods i would have liked that much better. but they are pricey for those rods
  • Tricia Jackson Jones Tricia Jackson Jones on Nov 03, 2016
    My mother used sheers with a pocket rod at the top and bottom to keep the sheer from getting caught in the doors. I suppose you could also put drapes to either side of the doors and just close them when needed. Is it because of the glare on the TV? Not really sure because the picture is dark, but it looks like the TV might be above the fireplace. Could you move the TV?
  • Dawn Dawn on Nov 03, 2016
    I would put up curtain rods and use a sheer curtain from top of door to the floor. It lets in light but you have the privacy from the covering.
  • Maria Maria on Nov 03, 2016
    Paint the doors a bright color. You could use this color as accent on your fireplace trim. Sheers in a neutral color secured with thin rods at top and bottom of doors. I have a door-height narrow window at our front door; and used a 72" high window sheer secured in this same way. It stays put when the door is opened, lets in light, but gives privacy.
    • Gina Valdez Gina Valdez on Nov 03, 2016
      I was thinking the same thing... use those thin rods at the bottom for safety.
  • Cherol Cherol on Nov 03, 2016
    You could do a pocket curtain on each door. You could also use curtains installed with a decorative rod or mini-blinds.
  • Vickie Jacobs Burley Vickie Jacobs Burley on Nov 03, 2016
    I use sheer curtains with pocket rods at the top and bottom of my French doors. The sheers still let in the light, but provides some privacy. They don't prevent the sun's glare on the television, though.
  • Baby girl Baby girl on Nov 03, 2016
    Roman shades look great on these doors-I have them on mine!
  • Cfg13631738 Cfg13631738 on Nov 03, 2016
    I love them as they are
  • IFortuna IFortuna on Nov 03, 2016
    I love them as they are but you could add sheers along the outer moldings of the doors to soften the edges. : )
  • Marlene Marlene on Nov 03, 2016
    Yes...perhaps lacey ones...if that is your style. It gives private with an open look.
  • Pea Pea on Nov 03, 2016
    Hi, the other option is the sticky plastic used to be called Mactak in my day. You can purchase it at Home Depot it comes in opaque clear colour in varied patterns, or if you want to use just the frosted pattern in strips, in varying widths it would give you privacy in the rooms, yet light would shine through, it is modern and it can be removed at any time.
  • Arlene Hill Arlene Hill on Nov 03, 2016
    Not unless you feel you need the privatsy
  • Brenda Coleman Brenda Coleman on Nov 03, 2016
    when you put curtains on French doors what you need are the small round curtain rods at the top and bottom of each door. Then you gather your curtain up on the rods. This way when you open up the doors your curtain is secure on the door not swinging loose which can cause it to get caught in the doors. The curtain must be attached to both the top and bottom of each door to look right.
  • Dcarpenter Dcarpenter on Nov 03, 2016
    I just put panels over my sliding glass doors and love the look and convenience. They might work nicely over french doors too.
  • Marj Marj on Nov 03, 2016
    I think sheers are pretty on French Doors.
  • Beth Hayes Beth Hayes on Nov 04, 2016
    I also have french doors, but mine exit from the morning room or dinette onto a deck. I placed curtains with easy on/off tie backs. This provides privacy at night but can be opened for full light during the day. My curtains are hung on large ring's so I can push them easily out of the way. I've had them this way for 10 years and I love it.
  • Eli12371340 Eli12371340 on Nov 04, 2016
    never!!
  • Fluffette Fluffette on Nov 04, 2016
    It depends. I have them myself but mine have a beautiful view of our back pasture. If the view were of another room i would consider elegant lace or sheers.
  • Vickilee Vickilee on Nov 04, 2016
    I have very lightweight Roman Shades in white. You can keep them half way up, closed or open. They look great in my living room.
  • Beth Simon Goyert Beth Simon Goyert on Nov 04, 2016
    No, but I suggest either sheet or lace curtains that fits for the French doors
  • Sandra Sandra on Nov 07, 2016
    I don't know how old this post is, but I would never put curtains on those doors. We bought French doors with blinds inside, and we seldom use them. We keep them completely pulled to the top. Why miss,the view?
  • Victoria Victoria on Nov 08, 2016
    Depends on what the view is, and how much light control/privacy you need. I would go with sheers or a lace panel.
  • Kathy Kathy on Nov 08, 2016
    I would use pleated blinds, either in the color of the room (s), or plain cream or white or even a sheer lace. You can raise/lower them at will for light and view control. Or, consider sheer panels that are gathered at top and bottom, like those you often see on sidelights at entry doors.
  • Jane Butler Jane Butler on Nov 08, 2016
    I would never put anything up either
    • Donna Mann Donna Mann on Dec 31, 2016

      I agree Jane. too beautiful the way it is. Besides, it would cut down the natural light immensely.

  • Jackie Byrd Jackie Byrd on Nov 09, 2016
    Because of your transom windows, I would not hang draperies. If there is a privacy issue, then I would use something like a sheer curtains on a rod pocket.
  • Diane Babb Diane Babb on Nov 11, 2016
    lace panels would add great looks and allow you to still see thru
  • Mary Mary on Nov 13, 2016
    would put the curtain rod up to the crown and about a foot past e doors. You will have to find or make extra long curtains. In the cooler months you can open the doors and close the curtains getting fresh air and keeping privacy. when the doors are closed and the curtains open you have full light
  • Joanie Joanie on Dec 11, 2016

    If you have a lot of property and are secluded I would not hide them with curtains. Leave the light in and the wide OPEN outside. It is beautiful the way it is.

  • Mary Mary on Dec 17, 2016

    I meant to say a foot past either side but when they are closed they cover they cover the doors when open the doors can be opened with the curtains behind them


  • Retta Robinson Retta Robinson on Dec 17, 2016

    Use nothing; let in whatever light you can. Privacy shouldn't be an issue since the doors open onto a sunroom.

  • Sondra Sondra on Dec 20, 2016

    I would if I wanted to. Depends on what you motive is. It is decor, or, insulating for bad weather? If decor is your answer, these windows couldn't be more beautiful surrounded w/14k gold. If you need insulation, I like Maryloosgriffin's idea about being able to open them past the door opening so the doors would open fully w/the drapes behind them.


    Either way, have fun experiment. You'll find what works for you. Good luck.

  • BabyBoomerSC BabyBoomerSC on Dec 23, 2016

    If you're looking for privacy, I'd hang a rod with grommet panels. You can easily open/close them or move them all to one side.

  • Nadine Nadine on Jan 01, 2017

    Your doors are beautiful as is and a long curtain rod would take away from the beauty and the wonderful moldings. If you want privacy, consider adding window film. You can find a variety of window films on Amazon and on Ebay. If you really want curtains and are not concerned about privacy, then hang stationary panels on each side of the doors using command hooks or a small flash sash rod.

    • Claude Claude on Feb 02, 2017

      Ditto. Good idea but you can also hang a wire rod from the ceiling (IKEA) and clip rings to a fabric panel to keep your room warmer during winter.

  • Grace Gleason Grace Gleason on Jan 01, 2017

    I certainly WOULD cover them up. I don't know about you, but when it's cold out and the windows are uncovered at night, I FREEZE. A long, thin-but-sturdy rod just under the transom, and drapes on rings that you can pull out of the way during the day so you can see all the way to China if you want to. Make the rod long enough to pull them to one side or the other. All of the glass here gets covered - at night.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Jan 01, 2017

    I wouldn't cover them since they lead into an other room and that room appears large so unless it's absolutely necessary enjoy them. I would love to have something so beautiful in my home. You never stated why you needed them covered? If you don't like them send them to me,HAHAHA ! Is it due to warm up the room because seasonal room allows a draft? I think that would be something you should indicate so that we can offer more opinion.

  • Joanie Joanie on Jan 18, 2017

    I would never cover or put curtains on French doors.....they let in beautiful outdoors and light and are beautiful, just the way they are.

  • Betty Fromal Betty Fromal on Jan 19, 2017

    Oh no please don't cover your French doors, they are beautiful. I agree with another comment, if privacy isn't an issue, leave them open. They are beautiful, I love the windows above the door. Thank you for sharing.

  • Irene Gronewald Irene Gronewald on Jan 23, 2017

    BEAUTIFUL.....as far as privacy..can a person see from sun room through theses doors? i would leave them as is..room dividers that are in line with your decorating theme...opened up at evening ...closed and off to side during day...non invasive...and no commitment...sound like a plan? or a relationship...ha ha

  • Robby Treichel Robby Treichel on Jan 23, 2017

    I love the doors also. However, if you really want curtains, you can get small spring-type rods that attach directly to the doors, both top and bottom. The curtains would have rod pockets at both ends so they are fitted and would not move or be in the way when opening and closing the doors. During the day they can be cinched in the middle so you can still see out and get light in, But it would definitely diminish the view. Sheers or lace though might be nice.

  • Meburke Meburke on Feb 01, 2017

    Traditionally these French door & windows @sides of doors are treated with a small rod @ top & bottom with a white sheer curtain,no heavy drapery. Creates privacy,yet light comes thru..good luck!

  • Sharon Marie Doughty Sharon Marie Doughty on Feb 02, 2017

    Definitely not , this is perfect the way it is , such a beautiful view , only cover french doors if you are wanting privitcy,like a bedroom !

  • Connie Connie on Feb 03, 2017

    They are beautiful as is, clean and uncluttered. Curtains would crowd the fireplace.

  • Mary Boger Mary Boger on Sep 02, 2017

    No!! But if you decided some type of drape was needed maybe use the half rods that swing back toward the wall, popular in the 40s

    I think. Or maybe a decorative rod over the door frame with a

    fabric sleeve bunched on it like on chandelier chains.

    I think they're gorgeous exactly as they are.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 13, 2022

    Nets or Voile and may be Dress curtains either side.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2022

    Just sheer ones .. it is beautiful as is

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 02, 2023

    Like the idea of making it blend into the wall by painting it the same shade.

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 03, 2023

    If privacy isn't an issue I wouldn't but if you feel you need to why not go with a sheer material but with some texture to it like a sheer woven material. With sheers you can pull them back when you want to let light in and when closed you can still see outside.

  • Deb K Deb K on Aug 03, 2023

    Hello, hope this helps you out. You can do curtains, or vertical blinds or a pull down roller blind, or venetians] blinds, any of which would look gorgeous! Depends on your personal taste! Good luck!

  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 05, 2023

    No the whole idea of the french doors is to let light in and they do date a set of french doors. If privacy is a concern why not frost the doors so light still comes in but noisy neighbors can't see in.

  • Bianca Bianca on Aug 06, 2023

    No you wouldn't.

  • Janice Janice on Sep 07, 2023

    You can attach two individual curtain rods, one on each door and hang curtains from the rods rather than hanging from the overhead door trim. You might want to measure and also place a rod at the bottom portion of each door to keep the curtains in place rather than free flowing when the doors are opened and closed.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 19, 2023

    Yes, Use a curtain wire on each door and hang Shire or Lace or Net curtains on them.

  • I like them how they are.

  • Mogie Mogie on Dec 16, 2023

    You can or you could add somthing to the individual panes of glass. Just cut out the size needed and you can choose either a material that totally blocks the light or some that lets some light thru. The choice is up to you!