Do I need window-treatments?
by
Ginny
+5
I live in a beautiful condo complex in Honolulu, Hawaii. All my rooms have huge lanai (balcony) sliding doors. (NO windows). I’m getting ready to replace my vertical blinds in all rooms. When I went to ‘remove’ my living room verticals; I was amazed to see how “huge”, the expansive view was; (without the verticals on). I guess the blinds were blocking the expansive view. The door is 14 feet wide. The Ko’olau mountains are right in my face. The greenery & scenic views are amazing. We are on the 3rd floor; & no one can look in. Also, our outdoor lanai is huge; 709 square feet. My question is; we are thinking of leaving the living-room doors “bare”, ( with NO) window-treatments. The 2 bedrooms ( on each side of the living room) will-have blinds. Do you think it’s okay to leave our huge living-room glass-doors without any window-treatments??(I never expected to ask this question. But, as soon as I saw that view ( sans the blinds) I fell in love with it 🥰).!!Thanks for your advice!!
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I would leave them off !!!!!!!! With a view like that and having no one able to look in,
Enjoy the view !!!
Leave them off unless there's an issue with privacy though you said you have no nearby neighbors. You can put sheer curtains up on the sides or completely across and pulled to the sides. You could even just put a light weight valance along the top only.
Another thing you can do is place curtains on an extra long rod that runs about a foot past the edge of the window on each side. That would be 16 feet for you, at least, or longer. You can even go the whole length of that wall. Then hang drapes there so they're not actually in front of the window, but frame them instead.
You can use enough so that you can close them for privacy or put just one or two panels on each side (depending on width of the panels) and always leave them open. Again that would be up to you and if you actually need/want more or any privacy.
Look up 'waterfall' valances. I don't know your style but they I think they look particularly lovely flowing across the tops of large window areas.
Good luck. I'm envious!
Ohh, lucky you! I have lots of glass that is not covered. I do have blinds in some windows where I once did not...chose vs tinting to avoid sun damage. Only comment I have is that the large expanse of glass will be a very black and shiny space after dark...took a bit to get used to. Thin sheers that slide and compact trimly out of the way might soften the space at night. Either way, I vote to enjoy that open view!
Absolutely, leave them bare. Blinds would not stop a thief if he can climb that high. Just remember they are gone. People with drones can see. If you go away, you can buy a flicker light that looks like a tv is on in the dark, and lights on timers in other rooms.
Make sure that your furnishings and floors will not sustain sun damage. Linda's idea of having draperies to either side is a good one-they're available if needed. In some sections of the U.S. vertical blinds are on their way out, and horizontals (unless between the glass) make for additional cleaning time.
Ideally, large expanses of glass are ideal, if privacy is not an issue and sun damage is not a concern.
It is more than just OK to leave them off!
First of all as the condo is your home, you have the final say as to what is fine and not fine for you, and what you are most comfortable with.
From a decor perspective, I agree that especially outdated verticals will detract from the (what sounds like a gorgeous) view!
If you love the view, just leave the verticals off. Maybe store them away (if you have space). Plus, vertical blinds can be painted or different abric attached to the slats.
Years ago, I traveled with a friend to Honolulu to look at prospective locations for their business and of course, homes. All the homes were very closed, with blinds and drapes, at least during the day. The realtors said that the sun just fades and dries everything out. I love a good view, but not at the expense of my carpets and furniture and whatever else.