The Dynamic Alternative To Vertical Blinds For Your Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding glass doors allow you to bring in lots of light without taking up floor space inside your home — but when you have what is essentially a huge window in your room, you often need to find a way to dress it. For many years, vertical blinds were the go-to option for creating privacy in a practical manner, but others are looking for different options. A wall of light-filtering curtains may be just the ticket for people looking to add a touch of privacy and soften the space.

Let's face it: curtains are classic. They come in a variety of lengths, materials, and thicknesses, and you can hang them in any number of ways to get just the look — and functionality — you want. Styling curtain walls can be a challenge, but installing floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall curtains can create a soft but continuous look that elevates the space. There are other good reasons to consider adding a curtain wall to your home. Curtains can add texture and even act as a sort of pseudo-wallpaper that requires much less commitment.

Of course, not everyone will be able to take over their whole wall with curtains. Whether you have something like a fireplace or woodstove in the vicinity, or your budget won't accommodate buying enough curtains, an entire wall of drapes may not be in the cards for everyone. That doesn't mean you shouldn't still consider adding curtains to your sliding glass doors.

When creating a dramatic curtain treatment on a sliding glass door — as opposed to a window — there are a couple of things to keep in mind. For instance, people, pets, and sticky-fingered children will likely be going in and out of the door, so you will want to hang the curtains in a way that allows you to move the panel closest to the opening out of the way. This also means you will need to choose your curtain rod wisely, finding one strong enough to resist sagging even without a support in the middle. You'll also want to extend the rod beyond the door frame for a more seamless look. Just make sure the setup doesn't interfere with the door's operation (i.e., becoming a trip hazard or get stuck in the door). 

You will also want to think about the width of your draperies. For a normal-sized window, you may be more focused on finding curtains of the right length, but with a door that can be much wider than the average window, you will want to ensure that your curtains are wide enough to close comfortably. Or, you may want to think about using three or even four panels instead of two to allow for elegant draping with effortless function.

And don't forget to consider the material, especially if you're going for a full-wall treatment. You may want to layer sheer panels or privacy curtains that let light in with a heavier outer panel, which can give you more control over privacy and the intensity of natural light in the room while adding visual depth.