We all love the contemporary look of a glass extension, the convenience of bi-fold, sliding doors and the luxury of French doors of course, so to complete the look, the best door window treatments are a must.
Whatever types of doors you have, it's important first to establish what you need to gain from dressing them, and what this will do for the space too. Sliding door window treatments for example will help add privacy and block out the view of harsh elements or too much sunlight... While you may simply want to add the final touch to your decor scheme inside. Be that with kitchen drapes or a simple shade, there are lots of ways to dress your external facing doors.
1. Cellular shades over sliding doors
Sliding door window treatments don't need to be overpowering. Whether you've bi-fold or sliding doors to the back of your property, adding the style and functionality of cellular shades is a great move. They are great for temperature control and come in practical designs also. Kelsey Stuart, CEO of Bloomin' Blinds (opens in new tab) adds 'TDBU (op Down Bottom Up) is available on all cellular shades and offers control of the bottom of the shade as well as the top. TDBU allows for privacy on the lower 2/3 of a window, yet allowing the top to drop down, exposing the upper 1/3 to the natural light or view of the sky.'
2. Subtle, stylish and slatted blinds
You would hardly notice the slatted metal blinds on these patio doors which works perfectly to not draw any attention away from the artistic doorway beading in this open plan space.
3. Opt for roller blinds for kitchen doors
Turn your doors into a focal point by choosing individual blinds for each panel. Roller blinds are a great choice, especially for kitchens as they are super slimline and are available in moisture-resistant, wipeable fabrics. Roller blinds are also easy to cut to size if you have narrow panes.
4. Softly colored Roman shades
Roman shades have a more relaxed feel and are the perfect compromise between style and practicality, offering both the softness curtains and the efficiency of roller blinds. Again, a Roman blind on each of your doors will look best and provide you with the most flexibility. We love the fresh, crisp, Scandinavian vibe of these Roman blinds from Hillarys (opens in new tab), they work so perfectly in this retro-style kitchen.
5. Adjust lighting with a Venetian blind
Venetian blinds, both practical and stylish, are usually made from wood, plastic or metal, which makes them easy to wipe down so they won't harbour dirt or dust. The adjustable slats provide lots of options for privacy and light control, and when not in use, you can pull them up almost out of sight, which is great if you have garden views. These aluminium Venetian blinds in teal cost are from Style Studio (opens in new tab).
6. Blinds that fit within a bi-fold door frame
Door blinds that fit into the door frame are a sleek and subtle solution – opening fully to reveal almost all of the glass without becoming caught in closing doors or flapping around in a breeze. The ClickFIT range from Blinds2go (opens in new tab) are made to measure and easily clip into bi-fold doors.
7. Add vertical blinds for a contemporary feel
Often a cost-effective solution as well as a flexible one, vertical door blinds have shaken off their dated office image. Vertical blinds can help draw attention to the grand scale of large windows and patio doors, or make a small window feel taller by drawing the eye upwards – ideal in a small kitchen design.
8. Control the temperature with thermal blinds
For an extra cozy vibe, choose blinds that add an additional insulating layer at your window. Duette (opens in new tab) blinds come in hundreds of different colors and prints and with clever honeycomb cells that actively trap the heat, you can ensure your space stays at a comfortable temperature all year round.
9. Choose motorized blinds for tall doors
A smart solution for doors in frequent use, electric door blinds do away with the need for cords and can be opened at the click of a button.
The Reflection roller blind (opens in new tab) range from Luxaflex features subtle patterns and textures, perfect for adding a tactile quality to large rooms. Suitable for humid rooms, it can be wiped clean with a sponge.
10. Select sheers that float in the breeze
If glazed doors have a beautiful shape, select the lightest, airiest design possible to keep the frames on show. This linen voile fabric, decorated with butterflies and birds in vivid shades, is ideal.
11. Double up on shutters
In this bay the original solid shutters have been left in place but they don’t allow for varying the shading, so pristine white louvred shutters have been added. For elegance, these have no visible rods to control the louvres and the hinges are hidden. Full height shutter in Pristine White with 89mm louvres (opens in new tab).
12. Nod to nature with bamboo
Natural grass or bamboo shades are a lovely sliding door window treatment to subtly block out light while adding lots to the room's aesthetics also.
13. Vary the light with fabric slats
Invest in blinds with movable solid and sheer panels which can be adjusted in seconds to block out any glare. These Twilight made to measure blinds (opens in new tab) in white are from Apollo Blinds.
14. Bring in the warmth of natural wood
Shutters are so often painted white, but quality hardwood versions lend themselves beautifully to a stained finish, bringing another element to the room design. These full height Natural Elm shutters (opens in new tab), from Shutterly Fabulous, have a rich, deep grain.
15. Keep drafts at bay with classic door curtains
The front and back doors are easy places for draughts to sneak in. Stitch a lined curtain, adding interlining for extra warmth, and hang from a pole or portiere rod (try Jim Lawrence (opens in new tab)), which opens and closes with the door. This curtain is made from Nature Study fabric (opens in new tab), by Vanessa Arbuthnott.
16. Use patterned film to obscure the view
It’s easy to add window film design ideas to glazed sliding doors or windows. The panels are supplied cut to size; simply peel off the backing, mist the window with a spray bottle, then squeegee the film into place. This design is MissPrint – Chevrons (opens in new tab), from The Window Film Company.
17. Fit contemporary panels
Chic and simple panel blinds stack neatly behind one another – they’re the ultimate in minimalist design. We just can’t get enough of these Voile FR LL Brilliant white panel blinds (opens in new tab) from Direct Blinds.
18. Keep it calm with delicate pattern
Lined curtains in a floral pattern are just the thing to bring a touch of romance to a bedroom or trad living room; these are made to order so you can select from several heading options. Made to measure double pleat curtains (opens in new tab) in Magnolia Grove, Duck Egg from Laura Ashley.
19. Find a solution for Crittall-style doors
Select a bold color to make a statement against black-framed metal doors and windows. Tetbury Mustard curtains with triple pleat heading, from £135 for W127cm x L137cm, including fitting, Hillarys (opens in new tab).
20. Pinch pleated drapes over sliding doors
If you're working with a very open space, with a wide door opening onto your patio, choose heavier fabric drapes in a color that complements the rest of the room to establish that indoor outdoor connection furthermore. One of the most straight forward sliding door window treatments that's sure to give the room a more cozy and lived-in feel.
