5 Ways to Bring Privacy to Street-Facing Windows (Without Blocking Out too Much Spring Light)
From Venetian blinds to cafe curtains, here are all the ways to double up on form and function this season
Spring is coming, which means the light is finally starting to linger a little longer, and we have more of that delicious daylight pouring into our homes to look forward to. Throw open the blinds and let the light in! But wait, what about privacy? Tiptoeing the line between keeping our street-facing windows out of sight without blocking out too much light is a delicate dance, and your choice of window treatment is key.
Luckily, there are options. From classic sheers to charming cafe curtains, and even something like a glazed film or large potted plant, the right modern window treatment can tick both form and function.
So, this spring, don't waste your street-facing windows. I've called on designers and experts to share their best-kept tricks when it comes to dressing these windows in a way that gives you the best of both worlds. Here are their five favorite ways to keep your space sunny, but a secret.
1. Top Up, Bottom Down Shades
A top-down/bottom-up blind allows for maximum versatility.
Sometimes the most obvious ideas can also be the best. In the case of adding privacy to street-facing windows, top-down/bottom-up shades (like this style from Blinds2go) work wonderfully. "This type of blind is easy to operate and provides 'street-level' privacy in a way other types of window treatments can't," says New Jersey-based interior designer Jessica Fischer.
Picking a top-down/bottom-up shade in sheer or neutral colors, in particular, gives you added privacy without sacrificing too much of the light coming in, as it won't act as a complete blackout. The versatility here is what makes it ideal for a range of different spaces.
It's not always the prettiest of window coverings (although Blinds2go has an extensive range of top-down/bottom-up blinds in different colors and styles to choose from), but it can easily be layered with a curtain for a more decorative effect, although it's worth noting that doing so will likely block more light out.
Jessica Fisher is an interior designer based in Rumson, New Jersey, and has worked on projects across the United States. With a degree from the esteemed New York School of Interior Design, and after years of developing her design expertise with several top-tier, luxury, high-end residential firms in Manhattan, Jessica launched JFD Creative in 2019.
2. Frosted Glaze
Frosted glaze is the ideal way to increase privacy without blocking light when you don't want any extra fabric on the window.
Frosted film (like this one from Amazon) is the most cost-effective 'set and forget' privacy solution. If you want to dress a window without curtains or want a sleek, minimal look, then a simple film or glaze can quickly achieve privacy without blocking light. It's especially effective in bathrooms, vanity areas, or anywhere with a higher moisture level, where fabric curtains and blinds can be trickier.
It's worth noting that, while frosted films are relatively simple to apply, they lack thermal efficiency and can sometimes lose the charm of a fabric curtain or shade in some spaces. To avoid a film from looking too cold, try layering it with either curtains or blinds. This will add a layered design aesthetic, "and much better thermal and light blocking for evenings," adds Matthias Silverton, interior design consultant at SnugCo, a family-run curtain and fabric business based in North Wales.
Plus, a frosted film can alter the light in a room quite drastically (though typically to something much softer and more diffused). "If you prefer the crisp light/shadows contrast, or you have a particularly dark space, then frosted coating might not be for you," says Matthias.
3. A Plant Wall
This plant shelf makes the room feel more alive, but still adds privacy bathroom.
Want a privacy-boosting, light-loving window covering idea that feels a bit more out-of-the-box? Creating a plant wall across your street-facing windows will obstruct the view without completely blocking the light (plus, the plants will love it).
This solution introduces a touch of biophilic interior design while adding privacy. You're just going to want to make sure you don't pick a houseplant that thrives in low light. Choose between placing a thin wall shelf, hanging window shelves (like these from Amazon), or building custom shelving to sit within your window frame.
4. Venetian Blinds
Something about a Venetian blind feels so streamlined and chic.
A different treatment that works just as well for adding privacy to street-facing windows without completely blocking the light is modern Venetian blinds.
The horizontal slats give you control over how you redirect light streaming into your space, while simultaneously obstructing the view from anyone who walks past. Plus, you also have the choice to completely block out light when privacy is paramount.
5. Half-Window Treatements
Another way to capitalize on both light and privacy is to opt for a window treatment that covers half of the frame. These come in a few different styles, but the most popular (and possibly most stylish) is the café curtain. Traditionally hung on the lower half of a window, café curtains are perfect for street-facing rooms where modesty is needed without completely compromising light.
And you can have fun with how you incorporate this curtain style. For instance, try a decorative café rod in brass, antique brass, black, or nickel. Plus, "they can be tape, slot-headed (flat or gathered), or hand-gathered to suit both classic and contemporary interiors," says curtain and upholstery expert Pat Giddens.
On the other hand, "A sheer Roman blind offers a more structured, tailored look, pulling up neatly to create a tidy, tighter sheer layer," Pat adds. "They can be used alone, behind curtains, over frosted windows, or layered above café curtains to enhance light filtering and privacy, day or night."
Fabric options include sheers, lace, lightweight linens, prints, and textured weaves. "A thin muslin lining can provide an additional layer of privacy, particularly in street-facing bathrooms or bedrooms," adds Pat.
Pat Giddens is the current owner of Pat Giddens, a London-based curtain and upholstery company. The company has been in the Gidden family for generations, and they use 19th-century weaving techniques to create custom pieces for residential homes.
But what about non-street-facing windows? If light is a concern, don't forget that there are times when it's best not to use window coverings at all.
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