17 Tips And Tricks For Adding Privacy To Bathroom Windows

There's no denying the desirability of a bathroom with ample natural lighting. Not only is natural lighting a cost-effective way to illuminate your home, but it also is great for your health and can make your bathroom feel warm and inviting. While natural lighting in the bathroom is wonderful, the source of it, i.e. windows, can cause you to sacrifice some privacy in the space when left uncovered and untreated. The good news is that it's not difficult to obscure or cover the view from outdoors. Between curtains, blinds, and a myriad of other solutions, you can easily add much needed privacy to your bathroom windows without sacrificing style, and in some cases, without sacrificing your beloved natural lighting.

When it comes to adding more privacy to your bathroom windows, there are essentially two different ways you can go about it. One way involves altering the glass of the window itself to obscure the view, while the other requires you to install some type of cover or fixture to accompany the window and create more privacy that way. In addition to adding privacy to your bathroom windows, several of these methods can also enhance the overall look of your bathroom. Here are some of our favorite unique tips and tricks for making this space feel more private without sacrificing style.

An easy way to increase the privacy of your bathroom windows is to fit them with shutters. Shutters are highly convenient because you can easily close them when you need more privacy and open them right back up to let the light in. Be sure to choose shutters made from a material that can handle the humidity levels of your bathroom. For example, wood likely won't do well in a bathroom with poor ventilation, but may be perfect for a half bathroom without a shower. Faux wood may be a more practical choice for bathrooms with more moisture.

Rather than installing curtains or blinds, you can also apply a film to the glass itself to give your bathroom window more privacy. While there are a few different types of privacy films to choose from, the best choice is a frosted film because it works both during the day and at night. If you're on a budget, privacy film is a solid option because it is inexpensive and easy to DIY. This is also a great idea if you don't want to lose any natural lighting, as it will still allow sun to stream in.

If you like the idea of using privacy film on your bathroom windows but also want to have a little fun, consider using decorative window film. Decorative window film is essentially the same as its plain counterpart, except it comes in unique patterns and designs that will allow you to add character to your bathroom. There are so many unique and beautiful options for decorative window film out there, from geometric shapes to floral designs. Keep in mind, though, that if the film has larger cutouts, it may not offer quite as much privacy.

If you're looking for a simple way to add more privacy to your bathroom windows, consider hanging sheer curtains. These are a great choice for bathrooms because they can provide plenty of privacy but will still allow light to filter through. Sheer curtains also have a very elegant look, and if you buy ones that are machine washable, they will be very easy to keep clean. Linen is a particularly good fabric choice for bathroom curtains because the material is less susceptible to mold, but you could also go for polyester if you're on a budget.

Installing roller shades is another great way to make your bathroom feel more private. While you're using the bathroom and want some more privacy, it's easy to just pull the roller shades down to block the window. However, during times when you do want to let the natural light into the bathroom, roller shades are incredibly convenient to fold away and leave the window almost entirely unobscured. When selecting your roller shades, you may want to avoid fabric ones that don't have waterproof coating because they can easily mold in a humid environment like a bathroom.

If you really like to control the specific amount of light versus privacy you have in your bathroom, Venetian blinds are a good option. Not only do some types of Venetian blinds retract all the way back up to their base, but you also have options of leaving them fully shut or partially open when they're down. They also come in many styles, so you'll have plenty of options for choosing ones that perfectly suit your bathroom. Opt for Venetian blinds made from materials like PVC or vinyl to avoid water damage.

Another easy and affordable option is to use frosting spray to frost your windows for maximum privacy. Essentially, frosting glass spray adds a coating to the windows that gives them a frosted glass effect, making them difficult to see through and increasing their privacy. Applying frosting spray to your windows is very simple, so you can even do it yourself. An additional benefit of using frosted glass spray is that it's not permanent, which is great if you think you might change your mind down the line.

Blinds, curtains, and alterations to the glass aren't the only ways to increase the privacy of your bathroom windows. A few well-placed houseplants can also do the trick. Whether you choose to place a large house plant in the window to block the view or hang ivy from the top to bottom of the window, you can really have fun with this trick for adding more privacy to your bathroom windows. Plus, your house plants will likely thrive due to all the extra moisture they'll be getting thanks to the humidity from the bathroom.

Transforming your traditional windows into stained glass is a unique and exciting way to add privacy. Not only will a stained glass window create a gorgeous accent in your bathroom, but it will also make that window difficult to see through, consequently increasing its privacy. One way to achieve this is to have a new stained glass window installed in your bathroom. Or, for a lower price, you could apply some patterned Self-Adhesive Privacy Glass Window Film onto your window. As an added bonus, the stained glass window will still let in plenty of light.

Bamboo window coverings are a great way to increase the privacy of your bathroom. Because bamboo is resistant to humidity, it's a very functional choice for a room where there's near-constant moisture. Additionally, you can find these window covers in several different styles, including bamboo roller shades and unique woven bamboo Roman shades. Plus, bamboo has a very natural look, so it will give your bathroom a warm and earthy aesthetic. It's also very easy to clean, and you can find it in several different colors and styles.

If you're looking for a truly elegant way to add more privacy to your bathroom windows, you can't go wrong installing Roman shades. Similar to roller curtains, Roman shades conveniently fold up, so you can leave most of your window on full display when you want to. Keep in mind, though, that unlike roller curtains, they don't completely fold away. However, Roman curtains are also very stylish, and can create a beautiful accent piece in your bathroom depending on the fabric and color you choose. You can even opt for sheer Roman curtains to maximize natural lighting.

Depending on the location of your bathroom windows, they may not need full coverage. If this is the case in your bathroom, you may want to consider using half curtains. Half curtains can provide privacy by covering the parts of the window that people can actually see into while still allowing plenty of natural light. Additionally, half curtains can give your bathroom a cute cottage or cafe aesthetic. In terms of color, you can't go wrong with white half curtains, but if you really want to lean into a rustic vibe, opt for a checkered fabric.

A great way to increase the privacy levels of your bathroom windows during the day is to treat them with mirror glass privacy film. With this treatment, you'll be able to clearly see out the windows from inside, but the view from outside will be hidden by a mirror effect. Keep in mind, at night the mirror effect reverses, and people will then be able to see inside. However, if you pair mirror glass with some curtains, you can have plenty of privacy and natural lighting during the day, and simply draw the curtains for nighttime privacy.

Glass etching cream will permanently transform regular windows into frosted glass windows, which will give your bathroom plenty of privacy. If you want to create a beautiful design on your windows, you can apply stencils to the glass before adding the etching cream to DIY your own decorative frosted windows. Applying glass etching cream will add plenty of privacy to your bathroom windows while allowing your creativity to shine, and it's also fairly affordable.

If you're in the process of renovating your home or simply looking to replace your windows with something that will give you more privacy in the bathroom, consider installing frosted glass block windows. Not only are frosted glass blocks difficult to see through, but they also allow in tons of natural light. The blocks are also very beautiful, easy to clean, and can come in unique colors. Keep in mind you can still see silhouettes through frosted glass blocks, so this is a better option in areas where you're only looking for partial privacy.

While curtains are a simple way to add privacy to your bathroom windows, they don't have to be boring. By installing floor to ceiling drapes, you'll not only be adding privacy to your windows, but you can also create a gorgeous accent wall, frame any unique windows in your bathroom, and even make the ceilings in your bathroom feel taller. If you want to give your bathroom a grand appearance while maximizing privacy at the same time, luxe floor to ceiling drapes are a fantastic option.

Another way to up the privacy of your bathroom windows is to install a privacy screen on the outside of your house. An outdoor window privacy screen can totally block the view from inside your bathroom while still letting in light if you install one with slats. This is a great choice if you're looking for a semi-permanent and very low maintenance solution to increase the privacy of your bathroom windows. It's also a solid option if your bathroom has poor ventilation and you're concerned about the window coverings developing mold.