Comments on: I need magic window blinds

Question: I need magic window blinds

BradNelson — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:19:54 -0800

I need window coverings that let in light during the day, but offer privacy at night.

Right now I just have mini-blinds, but people can see into my apartment from both above and below, so cheap blinds offer minimal privacy. Also, I don't want to have to open and close my blinds constantly every day. Is there any magic product that will allow this?

By: sugarfish

sugarfish — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:26:36 -0800

What about window shades? There are varying levels of thickness.

By: phunniemee

phunniemee — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:30:05 -0800

What about bottom-up shades or blinds? Random product.

By: sarahmelah

sarahmelah — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:53:00 -0800

Rice paper shades. Plenty of light during the day, and at most your neighbors might see silouettes at night.

By: HeyAllie

HeyAllie — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:00:51 -0800

I have the same problem and I found an excellent and inexpensive option - plastic ceiling light covers for florescent lighting. They are opaque and let in the light, yet give me the privacy I want. There are a variety of different patternsand come in different sizes in the hardware store. They run about $5 -$7 a sheet. I also rent, so it's something that I can just recycle when I move out of here. I simply prop them up against the window on the ledge. I don't know how tall your windows are, but for my fairly large living room windows, they are about two feet tall and give me the privacy I need for 3/4 of the height of the window, leaving 1/4 of the window bare to let even more sunlight in.

By: acoutu

acoutu — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:10:08 -0800

If you have a couple hundred bucks to spend, you could get motorized blinds.

By: molybdenum

molybdenum — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:15:13 -0800

We had the same problem in our bedroom. We bought a film that sticks to the window, and makes a regular window pane look like frosted glass. Totally opaque, but no loss of light (which sounds like a paradox, but it works). I can't remember the name of the product, but it was about $20, and we just bought it at Lowe's.

By: stefanie

stefanie — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:42:45 -0800

I used a frosting spray when I had the same problem (although I used it on 2nd floor balcony doors so I can't tell you how well it provides privacy if someone wants to get right up next to it and try to peep). As I recall, it cleaned off pretty easily when I moved.

By: messylissa

messylissa — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:54:37 -0800

I like to buy window sheers to put on in addition to the blinds. I twist the blinds open during the day, so the light comes in, and close them at night.

By: eritain

eritain — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:55:05 -0800

Some kind of pebbled glass? I don't know how much you're willing to spend; replacing the windows is a pretty big step.

By: Miss Matheson

Miss Matheson — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:18:26 -0800

I had a similar window situation when I lived in my first apartment. If you don't particularly need to see out, I found window frosting films to offer privacy while letting in the most light. There is a round up of modern window films here at Design*Sponge, many of those are expensive but could be worth it if you find one you like.

I've been happy with plain frosted films. If the area of window you'd like to cover is small Ikea offers the Amorf Frost film which you can often find among the bathroom goods. For a larger window I've used the plain frosted Gila brand window films that you can find at places like Lowes and Home Depot which molybdenum mentions above. The films are easy to apply, you just need to spray the window with some slightly soapy water and position the film.

I'm also a fan of plain white honeycomb blinds. Levolor has a texture called Driftwood Linen which looks more like actual fabric than many other options. I have this in white over the window where I spend most of my time working and very happy with the amount of light it lets in. (Note: Avoid the top-down corded Levolor blinds, they have an oddly unfinished look. The cordless variety is fine.)