I need to create more privacy but economically. Any thoughts?

Ellen
by Ellen
This window (before remodeling) is 8 ft wide by 4 ft high. Currently I have just sheers on it. I am not a big fan of vertical blinds. My couch is in front of it now. I am stumped.
  20 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 27, 2017

    http://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=privacy%20for%20windows

  • Robert Rusk Robert Rusk on Oct 27, 2017

    Hi. What about getting cloth drop cloths to make curtains? They are in different sizes. You can hang with curtain clips. I don't know what they are called, but they have the ring that goes over the rod and a clip to clip to the curtain. It's easy to open and close. If you hang to the ceiling it makes a bigger impact. You will have to wash then 2 times at least. My final wash I made sure I had fabric softener in the wash and rinse. Take them out of the dryer befor they are completely dry to avoid wrinkles. Oh if you need to cut them down, you can use that "press n seam" for a no sew You will get lots of comments asking where ypu got the linen drapes.

    • Ellen Ellen on Oct 27, 2017

      I would love to see a picture if you have it so I can try and visualize it.

  • I have double curtain rods woth sheers and drapes. Here is a link.


    https://www.pinterest.com/explore/double-curtain-rods/

  • Barbara Baldwin Barbara Baldwin on Oct 27, 2017

    Window clings from amazon

  • Ellis Ellis on Oct 27, 2017

    I share your dislike of vertical blinds, but the animal members of the family insist on them, so they can just push them out of the way for window-sitting!


    I like pleated shades, but the translucent type, not the room darkening ones. They're a bit pricey, but if your window is two windows side by side, perhaps that would not be so expensive. A friend just put in a pleated shade that has the opening at top, they open from the top down, so she can have light come in during the day, but the bottom of the window is covered. Or perhaps a bamboo or fabric roman shade? I had one window that is as wide as yours, and I had a double rod, with full length sheers and a traverse rod for drapes that open and close for nighttime.


    Also, you can make the window treatments larger than the opening, if you like. That does give the appearance of a taller or wider window, and in the case of drapes, lets you stack them back on the wall, so the whole window is uncovered if you wish. Don't forget to check out those bargain window treatment companies like Blinds to Go. I also have gotten some good curtain buys at JC Penney, and their website is informative as to measuring.


  • Robert Rusk Robert Rusk on Oct 27, 2017

    Hi Ellen. We are traveling this time of year. To get out of the coooooold. I'm so sorry I can't get you a picture of them. I am getting some more drop cloths tho to line the curtains that I made for the camper. Take my word they look very rich when hung, aslong as you get out all the stiffness with the washing. And if you hate to iron like me, then don't forget to pull out of dryer before they get totaly dry. And it gets the folding wrinkles out also. Good Luck.....Gigi

  • Lisa S. Lisa S. on Oct 27, 2017

    How about old fashioned window shades. I use them in every room, with curtains on top. Another option, wood shutters, with or without fabric inserts. The shutters are available at big box stores. I use the shutters in my bath for privacy at the window, and in a bedroom - but I have sheers also on top of them.

  • Emily Emily on Oct 27, 2017

    I have wooden shutters behind my living room sofa. The window I have is longer than wide which is the opposite of yours. I like shutters because they have a lot of options for open or close. Mine are stained but for yours I would recommend white paint. With shutters you can have all slats closed, as well as the shutters themselves covering the window, or you can have some slats open, some panels open. there is a lot of variety in how you keep the shutters but they offer the maximum in privacy.

  • We28518635 We28518635 on Oct 29, 2017

    Why not use the lace and cornstarch idea? I have that in my bathroom window and it looks great from both sides.

    Wal Mart carries pretty cheap fabric (but not all Wal mart stores)

    Diane


  • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 29, 2017

    Pleated shades and cellular shades are not the same.

    Pleated tend to be more of a papery texture, cellular are more of a fabric. Pleated, especially in the larger sizes, tend to loose their ability to close back tightly, and can become stretched out of shape.

    Neither style have the flexibility of providing full privacy and being able to see out of the whole window at at the same time.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 29, 2017

    Ellen, were you wanting more privacy during the daytime also, or just after dark?

  • Torridbabe53 Torridbabe53 on Oct 29, 2017

    Window vinyl sheets comes on roll.. Home Depot.. cut to size ..


  • KD Redlowske KD Redlowske on Oct 29, 2017

    Wal-Mart has oodles of window treatments. I have three windows I wanted to have thermal drapes, as my condo gets so cold during the winter. I searched for several weeks, ordered several different colors to get the right match, (the images aren't what they actually are online). Sent all back and order the ones that worked. For seven panels it was only $70, $10 dollars a piece.

  • Mia Lugar Mia Lugar on Oct 29, 2017

    let light in. Also there's the pull down solid shades that roll up when not in used still lprivacy wouy up for wFrosted contac paper all or part of the

  • Itsmemic Itsmemic on Oct 29, 2017

    Artscape window films/ I have them on the bottoms of some of my windows...lets light in..peeking nosey neighbors out....and looks AWESOME !! Dogs can't look out and bark or tear apart blinds like they have done a hundred times. They come in a variety of designs...and look really nice.

  • Jean Jean on Oct 29, 2017

    I think shutters would look great! Check on Craigslist or other local site sometimes find a great deal

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Oct 29, 2017

    1. Shutters you can keep closed on the bottom and open on the top.
    2. Window blinds that open from the top: pleated, cellular, Roman.
    3. Cling film (no adhesive), I have used it for years. You can get a plain one. It diffuses the light too, which is a bonus


  • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 29, 2017

    Since you want more privacy at night, you could go with a roller blind that simply pulls down and pulls up over the window. This blind mounts inside the window frame. Then on the outside of the window frame you could mount more attractive, lighter sheer fabric valances or side panels of your choice.

  • Ellen Forbes-Hoy Ellen Forbes-Hoy on Oct 30, 2017

    I WOULD SUGGEST THAT A VINYL STICK ON THAT ALLOWS LIGHT TO FILTER IN WOULD BE GREAT BUT AN ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO PAINT A SCENIC WINDOW AND ALL YOUR NEIGHBORS WILL WANT ONE.