Ideas for DIY privacy screens

Question

Our bedroom window faces right out onto the street (see photo), so we keep the curtains closed. However we want to keep them open and are looking at ideas for DIY privacy screens of some sort. We would also need a little gate to get to the grass as will need to be mowed. Any ideas? Don't want to have to spend a fortune if can avoid

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Privacy shades are available. I would opt for that and redress your window with something a little soother

Kayo Frazier · Answer

Here's my 2 cents...There is frosted window that you can put up to cover the bottom 1/2 of the window, but keep the top part clear. That way you have the privacy you want, but are still able to get the sunlight you want.

Suzanne · Answer

window frosting comes in a roll at Home Depot or other home stores - it is essentially a big 'sticker' that you apply to the glass. Can be cut to size easily with sissors.

LD · Answer

Two options come to mind right away, hand semi sheer curtains that are lighter in shade which gives you privacy and allows the light to come through, and the other option is to glass etch the glass with a design which would also give you privacy and light into the room. Down the road you could put up a lattice design wall at the edge of the grass area and then landscape the area with perennial flowering plants, with a water feature and wind chimes.

Rae · Answer

Window films are a definite option... my favorite source is http://www.decorativefilm.com/

Eloise · Answer

Bottom up/top down shade. Hunter Douglas makes one with no cords and thicknesses from sheer to opaque. I believe Home Depot and Lowe's carry cheaper versions. http://www.hunterdouglas.com/honeycomb-shades

Sharon Puckett Hiatt · Answer

Stained Glass Paint! There's even Liquid Lead available! Make it look like a stained glass window!

Cathi · Answer

Have you considered a larger sized planter outside the window with something like Rosemary or Bamboo or some such fast growing plant in it? You can add interest to the small yard and yet have natural light.

HouseLogic.com · Answer

We have a few good ideas. You can cover your window with privacy film. It will allow light in but block the view. You can also put a freestanding screen in front of your window. This slideshow shares examples of both ideas: http://goo.gl/l3XNSR

Z · Answer

For the window I agree with those that said frosted film. Even if you needed it to go all the way up, it lets in plenty of defused light. 
 I would suggest using clear Contact Paper. It looks frosted on glass. At around $6.00 (Target) for an 18 inch by 20 foot roll (30 sq ft) compared to a little over $20.00 (HoDe) for a 4 foot by 6.5 foot sheet (26 sq ft) of frosted window film, it's also a better deal.
I realize the prices and stores may vary down under, but I thought it would give you and idea of the difference in cost.

Anna · Answer

Thanks everyone for your ideas... we've decided to go with a security screen and make the area a little courtyard. We will DIY of course

C. H · Answer

We live in the southwest and need the windows open 4-6 inches for the evaporative cooling to work correctly which means we need the drapes and window both open.  I used 2 tension rods and made a panel out of white cotton blend fabric half the size of the height of the window.  I needed a tension rod for the bottom to keep the panel from sticking to the screen when the window was open and I didn't want something that looked like a cafe curtain.  
We have privacy and we can have an open window too.
You might use this until you decide on a more permanent solution.

Ideas for DIY privacy screens

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Ideas for DIY privacy screens

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