Help! How Would You Add Privacy To This Exterior Door In A Master Bathroom?
Okay, I know I said there would be no more master bathroom updates, and the next post about that room would be the final reveal. But I’ve run into a snag. Everything is pretty much done except for the cleaning and one piece of trim, but this bathroom door is causing me some frustration.
As you know, right now we have an exterior door in our master bathroom. It’s definitely unconventional, and it’s also temporary. This room used to be the master bedroom of the house, and we decided to turn it into a master bathroom.
That leaves us without a master bedroom for now, but we will eventually build an addition onto the back of the house which will include a new master bedroom. So instead of this door being an exterior door that leads to the back yard, it will eventually be an interior 15-lite pocket door that leads to our new master bedroom. Until then, I have to decide how to add privacy to this door.
I added privacy to the other door (the 15-lite interior pocket door that leads to the home gym) by using privacy film on the glass panes.
That worked out perfectly, and I was thinking about adding that privacy film to the exterior door as well. The problem is that I really need to be able to see out of that door without having to open it.
That door leads directly into Cooper’s yard. (Cooper is our dog.) I let him out through that door every single morning, and since we have people in our yard regularly (lawn guys, pest control people, etc.), I have to look out and make sure that the gate is closed before letting him out. I know it seems like a small thing to just open the door and see if the gate is closed, but that would be such a pain to have to do. I want to be able to just look out of the window and make sure it’s closed before opening the door.
That ruled out the privacy film. And I don’t want any kind of bamboo shade because…well…y’all know how I am with symmetry. If I don’t have a bamboo shade on the other door, I can’t have bamboo shade on this door, either. That’s just how my mind works, and I can’t do anything about that. 😀
So the only other option I could think of was one of those sheer rod pocket curtains that goes over the glass. I found one on Amazon, along with some magnetic curtain rods specifically for doors, and I hung that sheer curtain on the door. Here’s what it looks like…
Needless to say, I don’t love it. If you know me at all, you know I like a very tailored look. I don’t like things to be frilly and fluffy and messy and ruffled. So a gathered-on-the-rod curtain is so not my style to begin with, but I wanted to try it just in case it surprised me. But it didn’t, and I’m just not sure I can live with this. It does allow me to look out the window before opening the door, and it does give enough privacy, but I don’t think that the tradeoff is worth it.
So I’m hoping that one of you will have the perfect solution for me, because I’m fresh out of ideas. I want something that will give me privacy when I need it, but will allow me to look out the door before opening it. I want a clean, classic, tailored look. Any ideas?
By the way, I’m aiming for the final before and after post to be on Monday. It’s going to be a long one, so it’ll take me a while to write and gather all of the photos. I mean, there’s no way to sum up a year-and-a-half project in a short, quick post.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
There are beautiful window clings you could use or I once bought a stencil and used the frosted glass spray.
Tough problem and yes, the curtain is so NOT you 🙂 Do you need to be able to see through all 9 panes or is one (or a row) enough?
sorry, hit send too early… I thought about a custom-made shutter for only one pane or a row of them, from light wood that you could lift up or with hinges between the segments so it folds up. Sorry if it sounds weird, I dunno how to explain that better – I was thinking of the method you find with small photo books where a small amount of pages fold together concertina-like. Perhaps that would look ok if you covered only one row (preferably the middle one) with it?
Is there some sort of shallow profile roller shade that could attach magnetically, or even be permanently mounted since it’s not a permanent door in that space?
You are on the right track…same situation for us here. I must be able to look out the door before opening it, as we live in the mountains, and you never know what might be waiting for you outside the door. Just chose something that speaks to you for the door covering and just remind yourself that this is a temporary situation. I love all that you have done with this room, and the whole house, ever forward. Cheers.
How about a more tailored curtain, not gathered or a roll up or Roman shade that can be pulled up and down. Or plantation shutters?
I agree, a tailored shade that has magnetic bar to hold it in place. It gives you that straight clean line without gatherings on the fabric. It can be moved to look out and verify Cooper’s area is safe for him to go out.
It might be too much cost for the effort, but what about the blinds that are in the window? So you can open and close as needed? Or maybe there are blinds that attach at the top and bottom? You wouldn’t move them up and down, just open and close. Hope that makes sense
This! I work for a door company and for a minimal cost you can replace your window pane with blinds in the glass.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/ODL-Add-On-Blind-0-59-in-Cordless-White-Aluminum-Light-Filtering-Mini-Blinds-Common-22-in-Actual-22-in-x-38-75-in/3386720
I have a couple of doors with blinds in between the glass and I love them. One flick of a lever & they are open, same for closing.
We have that on a pool door bath door – my husband installed…very easy and perfect for this situation. I really like ours. I also have a up/down shade on a bathroom window. Can keep bottom down, and pull the top down during the day for more sunshine. I really like that flexibility too.
This type of blind was one of the best purchases we made when we bought our house 16 years ago. They attach to the window frame molding on our back door.
I have had these on my French doors for 4 years now and LOVE them. The blinds do not shake when the door is opened and closed, and they open/close and raise up/down flawlessly. It’s a nice clean look (and did I mention easy installation?).
This time of year you could put a snow flake design in one of the panes and come spring a flower design and so on.
What about leaving the film off the top row. Is it high enough to “hide” you? Or even leave on square without film to look out?
That’s what I thought too, Renee—or even only leaving it off the the top middle pane?
I was thinking something similar, except leaving about a 1/2” of space without the film on one pane. Just pick a spot that allows you to see the gate and it wouldn’t be too noticeable on a daily basis to throw off the symmetry.
This was my thought. High enough to ensure privacy, big enough to see out, small enough to blend.
The other thing I thought of has also been mentioned, which is a door with built in blinds in between 2 panels of glass. Since this door is going to be gone, you may not want to spend the money, but maybe it is something that could move once addition is done? Are you still going to have a door exiting the new master? If I remember, you had it added as a safety thing for Matt initially, and I’d think that would still be a consideration for new master, too. You could just move this door to that spot once you do the remodel.
How about a Roman shade? They are easy to make and can be as tailored as you want.
Narrow that curtain panel so that it’s not gathered. Smooth top and bottom, still attached to both rods. It will have a tailored look like a blind, still be private, but you can slip it to the side to look out as needed. You don’t even need to sew…just press the cut edge and use fabric glue or fuse.
I was going to suggest this also. I have Roman Shades on both my front and back doors of our house and I really like them. I chose a white material, so it blends into the door when down.
Since it is somewhat temporary. I would cut some tidy circular holes in the window film at eye level. Big enough to see through. You could do just one in the center. Or several across the whole row. I think it would be subtle enough that it would not detract from the overall look.
Olivia, totally agree (Or several across the whole row). Same film used with the added peep holes!
Was thinking along those lines too. And if having a random circle cut bothers aesthetically, maybe make it a pattern of some sort that’s large enough to peek through but over the entire window. It could look more like a design rather than a peephole.
I had the same idea!
Yes! Could be a fun design that picks up on the bubble light fixture over the tub. You probably only need one big enough to see through and the others can be just tiny bubbles.
What about a pleated curtain, would be more tailored and not “frilly and fluffy and messy and ruffled”. You could make it in two pieces where it would look like one continuous curtain but slits in the center for you to peak out.
You could still use the same rods and general idea, but instead of fluffy, messy and ruffled, create a more structured, tailored curtain to use. It doesn’t sound like you need to move it away from the whole window to look out, just enough to see the gate. With it white, it blends into the door, but it would be a more tailored look. I love the little peaks at the finished walls, your work is stunning!! 🙂
Have you seen the pattern that Martha Stewart did for exactly this application. I love it. It’s very tailored https://www.marthastewart.com/1515736/reversible-linen-curtain
I also love hitting the easy button. A kitchen tea towel that you love can be hung with clips on your magnetic rod. That’s what I did with my back door, for exactly the same reason you need to see outside
You could use what you have but remove enough of the width of the fabric that it is not gathered although that might negate some of the privacy. Or you could swap out the fabric for something a bit more opaque and do the same thing – so it looks more like a blind than a curtain.
Otherwise, although you don’t love it you have it and it works AND it is temporary.
Could you use acrylic paint to paint most of the panes, but leave a “peep hole” where there is no paint? The internet doesn’t have exact examples, but I’ve done it on my front door where we have a big window–I faked a stained glass pattern and left a square with no paint so I could see who’s at the door. It’s semi-translucent so light still gets in, and you can mess with “patterns” in how you apply the brushes. I’ve got a couple of links to give you an idea of what I mean (some people get REALLY fancy), but you could just do a white acrylic paint to make a “frosted” glass and use painter’s tape to leave a shape where there will be no paint so you can see out. Cheap, easy to remove (soap and water!), easy to customize. 🙂
https://img.thrfun.com/img/012/959/faux_stained_glass_window_x6.jpg
https://cdn.craftymorning.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/stained-glass-window-painting.jpg
PS I just learned that there’s spray-paint for frosted glass and you can do things like this:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/94/bc/e9/94bce90acb550c33aad700decc9195f7.jpg
How about the dark solar-x film on the door, you can see out, but nobody can really see in unless they are right up against the door with their hands cupped around their face to block out any light.
THIS WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION TOO! THEY MAKE THAT DARKENING STUFF YOU PUT ON CAR WINDOWS SO PEOPLE CANT SEE IN, BUT YOU CAN SEE OUT!
Can you take the sheer fabric and make a Roman shade? That seems to be more clean than the ruffled look.
The problem is the fabric and the color. Use a heavier fabric ( I would like texture) in a color that matches the trim and fits the opening without gathers. In other words it would have a tailored look.
Personally, I would skip the curtain rods and just put magnets in the header and bottom hem of a straight, more tailored curtain. Then you could just lift one corner to see out and it would have a much cleaner appearance.
Best idea. I was thinking the same thing.
What about a paper shade? Something along these lines:
https://www.amazon.com/Mirrotek-Pleated-Filtering-Temporary-MT1050/dp/B09KD8RQMG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Paper+Shades&qid=1670348359&sr=8-3
I thought of something that I had saved from Pinterest… It’s just a fitted panel with a ring at the bottom to kind of fold the panel out of the way if you needed it. Might be better than a gathered curtain? These are made from burlap but any material could be used. https://www.theshingledhouse.com/2015/04/burlap-window-shades.html?m=1
Why not add a spring on the fence gate so it can’t stay open it will automatically shut behind someone
I had a friend with the same issue with a door opening onto a carport – she used the frosted film, but she cut an eye-level narrow peeping slit along the edge of one pane.
You could frost the window and cut out bubbles where you need to look out. It would match your light over the tub.
So instead of this ruffle version, make side by side tailored panels. You can still look out through the middle, even if you need to slide them 9vrt a bit. I did this with an old dressing table….made a tailored skirt instead of all the ruffles that came before . Good luck!
I purchased a sheer blind that opens and closes like a blind but has the roman style. It was temporary until I decided what I really wanted 3 years later, I still love that it gives privacy, but filters light when closed. I can roll it up, to have full open view. Roll down and look through and see a view through the sheer, and close at night. $50 bucks for a window slightly bigger than yours.
Film on the 8 panes on the edges and a little hinged panel on the middle pane you can easily open and close to look out. Could be solid white with trim or cold be a little pane of frosted plastic or glass for better lighting/symmetry.
What about two way film? You can see out perfectly, but the other side is mirrored and you can’t see in?
Yes, my thought as well. That way, no curtain!
This is my thought also.
What about two way film? You can see out perfectly, but the other side is mirrored and you can’t see in?
They have this special film that you can’t see but you can see out. I haven’t tried it but it could work for you.
https://www.amazon.com/Window-Privacy-Reflective-Office-Silver/dp/B0BDTT2RGF
Do a search for magnetic door shades. There are a bunch of places on Etsy that make them to order. Here’s a link to one option to give you an idea of what’s available:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MagneticShades?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1270070718
The simple white, possibly with light-filtering lining option, would give you the tailored look and be a functional shade that you could leave up if desired as well.
What about the film that you can see out one side but not in the other?
Make a fabric roman shade. It will look so cute.
I agree that the ruffled look isn’t hitting it. What about simply measuring what you have to fit the window without any ruffling on the top and bottom? That would be maybe a thirty minute job. (if you stopped for a coffee break)
A plantation shutter is a classic option.
I agree. Clean and uncluttered as well as adjustable.
Someone may have said this already, but Amazon has one-way privacy film that looks mirrored or reflective from the outside.
https://smile.amazon.com/HIDBEA-Blocking-Reflective-Non-Adhesive-Black-Silver/dp/B09MTC7C7N/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=window%2Bprivacy%2Bfilm%2Bone%2Bway&qid=1670349752&sprefix=window%2Bprivacy%2B%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-2-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSjFLUzBZSkxHSTM2JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDE0NDc2M0Q0U0tXUVNVMk1TJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1NDEzOTAyRzRBOEtITDhSNU9UJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1
Best possible solution, in my opinion, is to replace the ruched sheer curtain on the rods with a somewhat thicker, flat piece of white fabric, stretched between the two rods. You must be able to push it in from the side to peek outside, but this will be cleaner and still easily functional for you.
In my opinion, your idea is easiest and best, Christine. Simple always works.
Why not create a little flap in the window film? You only need an inch or so. Cut out an inch square. Create a double flap with one side still sticky and adhere that sticky side above the open area with the db side hanging down. Lift up to see.
I have a half glass door to my dog run and struggled with privacy vs ability to see the dog’s shenanigans. I used painters tape and a sharp knife to create a pattern that matched other details in my house and frosted glass spray. The pattern gives me privacy from anyone looking in from a short distance but enough visibility to look out. It was a little tedious but it turned out better then I expected, I’ve been asked where I got the custom glass for my door.
Why not a Ring doorbell camera? Frost panes as planned.
This is what I was thinking. Rather than a Ring door bell, though, how about a Ring flood light or just a ring stick up camera on the exterior. I’ve got a RIng battery stickup camera to keep an eye on the back yard and the battery seems to last forever. No need for wiring. I bet you have your phone with you most of the time, anyway.
How about cutting a small “peep-hole” into one pane of the privacy film. That way you maintain symmetry, and it’s small enough that no one can really see in unless they’re eye is up to the opening.
Just made a more tailored curtain to fit that doesn’t gather (so it looks like a closed Roman shade).
How about putting the privacy film on but leaving a cute teeny tiney couple of purposeful dots in a pattern across the top couple panes, you know, for peeping to see out of? It’s a thought! Maybe stagger them to match the clear pebble penny tile wainscotting? But just a few …
Don’t know how much ‘privacy’ you’re looking for. Just a reminder that a sheer fabric gives you privacy during the day. (When it’s lighter outside than inside) At night when it’s dark outside, and you have inside lights on, it has the opposite effect. Someone looking in from a dark outside has an illuminated view of anything going on in the inside. That’s a a little creepy for a bathroom for me
Right you are, Vivian. Exactly what happens and somebody who wants to look and has any opportunity, will do it.
How about privacy film on all but one pane?
My first thought was a outdoor security camera with motion detection. You’d know if anyone was outside.
Otherwise, look up zebra shades (may be under other names too). I had those in my house and closed no one could look in and I think they look much better than regular blinds.
How about a roman shade?
One way privacy film where you can see out but no one can see in would be my idea.
Perhaps you like that curtain ( or a little different one) without the bottom rod. Less fluffy and cutesy. Overall it is a great temporary idea.
What about a white (so it blends with the color of the door) roman shade that comes down from the top rather than up from the bottom? Hopefully the white will blend enough that your sense of symmetry isn’t triggered and it will give more privacy when ‘opened’ because someone in the backyard looking in would only see the top of people’s heads.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/BlindsAvenue-Cordless-Cellular-Honeycomb-Filtering/dp/B08HGZ8F9W/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=Top+Down+Bottom+Up+Roman+Shades&qid=1670353022&sr=8-12&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.fa474cd8-6dfc-4bad-a280-890f5a4e2f90
Have you thought about a roman shade?
I’d just open the door and use the film.
Anyway to leave a small peek hole in privacy film?
I would take off the bottom curtain rod, and just let the curtain hang free. . Or get one of those shades that opens from top or bottom.
Hi, i have the darkest tint that people put on cars on my storm door in my livingroom. No one can see in but i can see out. It works perfect for me. Hope that helps you.
What about something like this?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/ODL-Add-On-Blinds-0-59-in-Cordless-White-Aluminum-Light-Filtering-Mini-Blinds-Common-23-in-Actual-22-75-in-x-36-in/3400108
This attaches to your window and then your blinds are inside glass, privacy and no mini blind cleaning to do.
If I understand correctly, the door is metal and magnetic. Why don’t you just cut the sheer down to size and put neodymium bar magnets in the header and either the same or tape curtain weights in the hem to hold it in place? The curtain would then present as a sleek, flat panel but would allow light in and you to look out.
Could you leave the top row of panes clear, just add the privacy film to the lower rows?
Classiest and most expensive plan: blinds within the window as others mentioned.
Most cost efficient, fast plan: adding a spot within the frost to see out.
I think a horizontal stripe (or two or three) across the frost at the bottom or top of the pane would blend in rather well enough for semi-temporary and still prevent peeping toms. The horizontal stripe mimics the stripe of your penny tile too.
I wonder if you might like this set up better if the curtain fabric was thinner? Sheer even…and you had twice as much. That way, the pleats would be closer together and give a less ruffle-y look.
Can you do a one-way privacy film on that door? I have been looking into getting some for a couple windows… it is usually mirrored on the outside (not ideal, but also who cares since it’s not permanent). Might be a good temporary fix!
Just a thought about privacy films .. the ones I know about don’t work when the interior light is brighter than outside .. so at night when lights are on you will be illuminated. However, you can see through them to check your gate. I like the comment to remind yourself this is temporary, given your future plans. I’m sure whatever you do will turn out great anyway.
I hung curtains on doors to my sunroom and the exterior doors with sew on Velcro tape on fabric and stick on doors. When want to remove comes off cleanly. Looks neat no rods.
Considering that this is temporary, I would go with the film, same as the other door. Then pick one of the little rectangles that gives you the best line of sight for the gate and cut a circle about 4 or 5″ in diameter from the center of it. The majority of the glass is covered and someone would have to stick their nose to the glass from outside to see in.
Having a motion detector light outside might also be a good idea if you’re really worried about someone seeing in.
I also like the mini-blinds in the door already mentioned here. I have several sets of those in exterior doors and love them.
I have one of these on my back door that has a large window in the middle. It’s cordless and easy to use. Provides privacy, simple lines and easy to access the window when needed. https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-White-Light-Filtering-Cordless-Cellular-Shade-Actual-45-5-in-x-64-in/1000581627
Since you are so artistic what about a small piece of art work or a small bird house or mirror low profile that you could hinge or tiny screw into frame that would open for you to look out and all the other panes have the privacy film on it. Just thinking out side the box.
I would probably put a more opaque Roman shade (maybe using your magnetic rod at the top) there. A little more tailored and private. Keep repeating to yourself….it’s only temporary!
I have in my home some privacy roller blinds. Some call them sun blinds. I can see out but nobody can see in and works a treat. I had mine custom made and were not much dearer than off the shelf. The blinds go up when not needed so leave a nice neat finish plus easy to wipe down to clean.
Several years ago my boyfriend had a patio door that overlooked a city park. We put up a privacy film that people couldn’t see in but we could see out. Maybe that’s still around.
A long time ago, when you wanted privacy for your front door one of your readers suggested a product I had never seen or heard of before I don’t remember the name but it goes from clear glass to total privacy at a touch of a switch.
Roman shade that matches wall color? Tricky problem…
Frost the 8 perimeter rectangles and use a patterned film or stripes of film that would allow peeping through the center.
Order a woven blind that you can raise and lower. I don’t think the sheers look anywhere near as nice as your bathroom.
I have 2 options: A top down bottom up cellular shade, they’re not that deep. A fabric roller shade, you could DIY with your own fabric choice. Ca peak around when you need to see out of lift completely.
You could try some sheer fabric, cut to size, soaked in spray starch. The starch works like glue but easily peeled off when no longer needed.
Why don’t you put the privacy film on all the window squares except one. Then cut a square piece of plastic the size of the window then cover the plastic with the privacy film. Then all you have to do is pull that plastic off and on when you need to look outside.
I don’t know if this has been suggested yet but you could use window perforated vinyl. It’s the vinyl used on large windows on storefronts or on back/side windows of vehicles where you can see out but looking in people only see the image. You would have to apply to the exterior window versus interior, however.
Could you hang the piece of fabric Flat like a tapestry from the top curtain rod and then on the bottom don’t mount the curtain rod and that way you could easily lift it up anytime you wanted to peek out. And you could use any kind of fabric or even something with a pattern or some kind of image with colors that you like that match your room or you could just go with the shears stuff maybe just too layers but hung flat.
On Australia, the below product is used a lot for privacy.
It reflects back to someone outside, but you still get a clear view out from inside.
The link below may help you?
https://www.amazon.com.au/RABBITGOO-Removable-Decorative-Windows%EF%BC%8844-5-200cm%EF%BC%8CSliver%EF%BC%89/dp/B07BMLCWR8/ref=asc_df_B07BMLCWR8/?tag=googleshopmob-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341745144642&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13761238588035103881&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9072155&hvtargid=pla-471725228546&psc=1
In Australia, the below product is used a lot for privacy.
It reflects back to someone outside, but you still get a clear view out from inside.
The link below may help you?
https://www.amazon.com.au/RABBITGOO-Removable-Decorative-Windows%EF%BC%8844-5-200cm%EF%BC%8CSliver%EF%BC%89/dp/B07BMLCWR8/ref=asc_df_B07BMLCWR8/?tag=googleshopmob-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341745144642&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13761238588035103881&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9072155&hvtargid=pla-471725228546&psc=1
Cut it I. Half and make a Dutch door!
Gallery Glass:
A roman shade that matches the wall treatment.
LOL! I think the people who follow you LOVE to problem solve and to think outside of the box! I loved reading through the suggestions. Some pretty clever ideas. I think my favorite it to frost the panes, but on one of them don’t attach the film all the way so you can lift it up to look out of. You get the symmetry and function. Brilliant!
What about a Roman Blind, , they pleat as they are pulled up to open them and straight when they they are pulled down to close them, giving a straight neat look.
One way mirror film?
https://www.amazon.com/FILMGOO-Privacy-Control-Anti-UV-Non-Adhesive/dp/B07HJZ8ZX6?th=1
That only works in the daytime. At night when the lights are on inside, it’s like nothing is there at all.
Make a tailored Roman shade with the same fabric as the shower curtain.
Fabric Roman shade?? Solid white so it doesn’t compete with anything in the room.
So. Do you really need privacy? Obviously if you had someone being deliberately malicious they could peep in. But just general day-to-day is there anyone who could see in? It looks like it’s just your property behind you. I’d let my freak flag fly and just leave it. It’s not a long term plan and you don’t want the best (imo) solution of window film for valid reasons. Other privacy options would be irritating to move every time you want to look out. At 45 I’ve definitely gotten more liberal–if anyone really wants to see my nakedness bad enough, well let them! LOL It doesn’t look like you’d be subjecting anyone to your nakedness inadvertently so I woudn’t worry about it.
There would be regular peepers, probably a group of them, and they record stuff and post it all over the web.
Do you wish now you had trained Cooper to go in and out of your work room where you have the mud room? Now that you have a brand new bathroom that you want to keep clean it might be a good idea to work at re-training him to and from the mud room. You will eventually have your bedroom where the bathroom door is now and you won’t have his exit and entrance there anyway.
Ok this might be a swing and a miss… I was thinking about your front door privacy situation from a few years ago. What if you cut the window frosting similar to how you cut the house number’s out. Sort of a frame in each 9 lite box, giving you symmetry and allowing a peek around each “frame” of the window? You never have to open and close it or anything other than cleaning the window. Just a thought, I know whatever fix you find will be perfect. I’m incredibly excited to see the finished bathroom post!!
Something like these:
https://i.pinimg.com/236x/9a/e1/1a/9ae11a7309645893ce700448121e56bc–house-windows-living-room-windows.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1a/ac/9f/1aac9fe4f332f78f7b80f16689aeec50.jpg
I have a door like that. I used a tension rod – fits just within the glassed area (adjustable) and a short lace curtain. I did not cover the top panes, and the bottom hangs free, a la café style. It works well.
The blinds in the door window are wonderful, we have them on an outside door that opens into a bathroom. Very convenient and functional. This bathroom is intended to allow access from our pool without walking through the family room with dripping wet swimsuits.
You could use film but leave a stripe across ways without the opaque film to look out to the gate. I made simple roman blind (just a completely flat … no swags etc) for a bathroom. Cost was mostly just my time. I’d love to include a photo. However, it does have that tailored look and the choice of fabric can form a feature of be something subtle that doesn’t jump out at you.
Use tint film – some will allow you to look out but not in
What if you do the frosted stuff like the other door but make yourself some sort of peep hole/section of the window that can be opened like a miniature door
I had an exterior door similar to yours in my bedroom that was just to the left of my bathroom door, much like yours is to the left of your shower. It doesn’t matter what you put over the glass, from outside, you can still peer in past the blinds and see in the shower (or in my case, my bathroom doorway). It would take a mounted box with a french-pleat shade inside of it to have a tailored, nice look that would black the side view into the inside. I changed my door out for one that had one rectangular light up high and I covered that with privacy film… I lost a lot of light but gained privacy. The only other option I can think of for your door is an opaque window film, but that will really block your light and not allow you to see outside. Most “privacy” window films are anything but… you can see colors and shapes perfectly through them.
How about using a metal curtain rod (assuming the door is metal?), and just making a custom roman shade for that window. I had this on a back exterior door once, and I loved it.
I came here to say… get a new door with a blind built into the glass. If you are changing out the door with the addition you can reuse the door somewhere else. They are wonderful!
This fluffy curtain is definitely not the best choice, I can understand. What about a more tailored curtain? I think it will look good!
Louvers? Maybe you can directly attach them so there’s no shutters to add, but add a bar where you can ope or close.
I saw this on TikTok. Mia smart film solution. It’s a film you apply to the glass and control it with a remote to view outside.. I don’t know if it works on small panels.