Last Updated on 19 November 2024 by Tia Ellahi
How Do You Dress A Sliding Glass Door?
You can dress a sliding glass door with a range of options, from classic curtains and sleek blinds to modern plantation shutters or integral blinds in glass, ensuring both style and functionality for your space.
Sliding glass doors are a beautiful feature in many homes, bringing natural light, open views, and seamless access to outdoor spaces.
But sometimes, a bit of extra privacy, insulation, or personal style is just what you need to make these doors work best in your space.
With so many options available, from classic curtains to sleek, built-in blinds, you’re sure to find a look that’s perfect for your home.
Here, we’ll guide you through 16 window treatment ideas for sliding glass doors to help you create a space that’s both functional and beautiful.
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Why Dress a Sliding Glass Door?
There are a number of reasons why some homeowners choose to dress their sliding glass doors:
Provide Privacy
Sliding glass doors are perfect for enjoying outdoor views, but they might not offer the privacy you need, especially if they face a street or neighbouring properties.
Window treatments like blinds, curtains, or shutters can give you a sense of seclusion without blocking natural light, making your space feel more private and intimate.
If you entertain often or have family spaces near your sliding doors, privacy solutions can also help create a cosy, comfortable atmosphere.
Showcase Your Style
Window treatments do more than just serve a practical purpose—they’re a fantastic way to add character and style to a room.
Whether you love a contemporary, minimalist look or prefer a classic, layered feel, dressing your sliding doors is an opportunity to express your style and complement your home’s decor.
With options like textured drapes, sleek internal blinds, or rustic shutters, the possibilities are endless, so you can create a look that’s all your own.
Enhance Energy Efficiency
Sliding glass doors allow plenty of sunlight in, which can warm up a room in winter but may also cause a little extra heat in the summer.
Certain window treatments can improve energy efficiency by helping to regulate temperature and reduce heating and cooling costs.
Insulating options like integral blinds in glass, blackout curtains, and plantation shutters can keep your space comfortable and help lower your energy bills.
Plus, they’re a great option for rooms that receive strong sunlight during the day, as they protect your interiors from fading due to UV exposure.
16 Window Treatment Ideas for Sliding Glass Doors
Here are the top 16 window treatment ideas for sliding glass doors:
Curtains
Curtains are a classic choice for sliding glass doors, offering versatility, warmth, and a touch of elegance.
Available in a range of materials, colours, and styles, curtains can easily be matched to any decor. Here’s how different types of curtains can work wonders for your sliding doors:
High Hanging Curtains
Hanging curtains higher than the door frame creates an illusion of height, making ceilings appear taller.
This trick can add a sense of grandeur to your space, especially in rooms with standard-height ceilings.
Opt for floor-length curtains for a streamlined, dramatic look that draws attention to the height of the room.
Sheer Curtains
For a soft, airy look, sheer curtains are ideal.
They filter light beautifully, allowing you to enjoy natural daylight while adding a touch of privacy.
Sheers are perfect for living areas where you want a relaxed, breezy feel. They can work well layered under heavier drapes for a flexible, dynamic look.
Blackout Curtains
If you need a dark, cosy atmosphere, blackout curtains are the way to go.
Ideal for bedrooms, media rooms, or any space where you want to control light levels, blackout curtains also help with sound insulation and temperature regulation.
With a variety of fabrics and colours available, blackout curtains can be both practical and stylish.
Double Drapes
Double drapes combine the elegance of sheer curtains with the functionality of blackout curtains, allowing you to switch between light and airy or dark and private. Layering two types of drapes gives you flexibility and adds depth to your decor, perfect for multi-functional rooms like living rooms or family rooms.
Multiple Panels
Adding multiple curtain panels across your sliding doors allows you to customise your setup, creating a layered look that’s easy to adjust. This option works well for larger sliding doors and lets you control how much of each panel you open or close, offering versatility in privacy and light control.
Custom Cornice
A custom cornice is a decorative structure mounted above the sliding door that hides the curtain rod for a more finished look.
Cornices come in various styles, from sleek and modern to ornate and traditional, allowing you to add a personal touch to your decor.
They also help to keep the curtains tidy and create a polished, structured appearance.
Blinds
Blinds are another fantastic choice for sliding glass doors, combining functionality with a clean, modern look.
Blinds come in a range of types and materials, each with its own unique benefits for sliding doors.
Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are sleek and minimal, rolling up neatly out of sight when not in use.
They’re great for achieving a clutter-free look and can be customised with various fabric options, including light-filtering and blackout materials, to suit your lighting preferences.
Vertical Blinds
A timeless choice, vertical blinds are easy to open, close, or adjust for just the right amount of light.
They’re available in various materials, from fabric to vinyl, and can suit both traditional and contemporary decor.
Want something fresh? Explore alternatives to vertical blinds for sliding glass doors for some modern twists on this classic choice.
Horizontal Blinds
While horizontal blinds are less common for sliding doors, they can create an interesting and unconventional look.
They’re also effective for controlling light and privacy in larger spaces, offering a stylish twist on traditional blinds.
Panel Track Blinds
Panel track blinds are designed for wide expanses of glass and glide smoothly along tracks, making them a popular choice for sliding doors.
They add a contemporary touch and are available in a range of colours and materials, allowing you to personalise your look.
Motorised Blinds
For a touch of luxury and convenience, motorised blinds are a fantastic option.
Perfect for larger or hard-to-reach doors, they allow you to adjust the blinds with the push of a button, letting you create the ideal ambience without leaving your seat.
Integral Blinds in Glass
Integral blinds in glass are built directly between the glass panes, creating a dust-free, low-maintenance solution that’s sleek and modern.
They’re ideal for households looking to keep things simple, as they offer great light control and can aid in thermal efficiency while eliminating the need for external blinds.
Whether it’s a window, bifold doors or sliding doors you can get your bespoke quote including integral blinds in glass by contacting us directly!
Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters bring a classic, elegant style to sliding glass doors.
Their adjustable slats allow you to control light and privacy with ease, making them perfect for both traditional and modern homes.
Shutters are durable, adding a substantial, high-quality feel to any room, and they can be customised in a range of colours and finishes to match your decor.
Plantation shutters are especially practical in high-traffic areas and homes with children or pets, as they’re easy to clean and maintain.
Keep It Bare
For some homes, the best option is to leave your sliding glass doors bare.
This minimalist approach works well in rooms with beautiful outdoor views or in homes with a modern, industrial aesthetic.
Going bare can make a room feel open and airy, drawing attention to the architectural features of the sliding doors.
It’s an especially fitting choice for spaces where privacy isn’t a concern, like secluded gardens or backyard-facing living rooms.
Dress Sliding Glass Doors Your Way with GFD Homes
At GFD Homes, we’re here to help you create the perfect look for your home.
Your home deserves the best, and we’re excited to help you bring your vision to life!
Explore our wide range of sliding doors, along with our integral blinds in glass, and let our team transform your dreams into reality.
If you have any questions or need help choosing the right option for your home, feel free to call us on 01642 309 576 or contact us online.
Need a little inspiration? Why not check out our popular smart aluminium sliding patio doors range.
FAQs about Dressing Sliding Glass Doors
How can I make my sliding glass door look better?
To elevate the look of a sliding glass door, consider adding high-hanging curtains, a custom cornice, or sleek blinds that complement your decor.
Plantation shutters and panel track blinds also bring a modern, stylish touch that enhances the entire space.
What can you cover sliding glass doors with?
There are many stylish options to cover sliding glass doors, including curtains, blinds, and shutters.
For a clean, contemporary look, integral blinds in glass or motorised blinds offer both style and convenience, allowing you to control privacy and light with ease.
What can you use instead of curtains for sliding doors?
If curtains aren’t your style, alternatives like roller blinds, plantation shutters, or motorised blinds can give you the privacy and light control you need without fabric.
Each option offers unique benefits, from the ease and effortless operation of integral blinds to the timeless elegance of shutters.
How can I choose the right window treatment for my sliding glass doors?
Consider factors like privacy needs, style preference, and energy efficiency when choosing a window treatment.
Think about your room’s lighting, decor, and how often you use the sliding door.
For example, sheer curtains offer a light, airy look, while blackout curtains or shutters provide more privacy and insulation.