Best privacy device for a ~4x6 foot picture window? Film?

August 9, 2016 5:23 PM

I have a large, fixed picture window at the front of my apartment; while it has blinds, whenever they are open passerby can see right in, as it is at street level. At night someone close enough can catch a glimpse of what's going on inside even with the blinds closed, as the living room and kitchen are right there! What would keep passerby from looking in, without making the room too dark?
posted by Seeking Direction to Home & Garden (18 answers total)

Clear Con-tact paper? I've only used it in bathroom windows, not picture ones, and I admit it's not the prettiest solution, but it'd let light in while blurring the view of prying eyes...
posted by Shmuel510 at 5:31 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]

Two layers of curtains, in addition to the blinds: a shear layer that can block people from seeing in during the day, but will let daylight through; plus heavier opaque curtains (with a lining) that can block light from escaping at night. Have the blinds next to the window, then the sheers, and the opaque ones innermost.
posted by easily confused at 5:39 PM on August 9, 2016 [3 favorites]

Privacy film. You can DIY with stuff from Home Depot, or get a pro to install higher quality film.
posted by gnutron at 5:43 PM on August 9, 2016 [5 favorites]

Get one big old wood window frame or two smaller ones - whichever would fit the space best, with the actual panes; go to Hobby Lobby (or support your local stained glass studio which will cost more), pick out some sheets of stained glass (at H.L. they cost from 4.99 - 8.99); take the window and the glass to a stained glass store and ask them to cut the glass down to fit the window panes. Or you can call first, to see if they would do it since you are not purchasing glass from them. They will likely charge a small fee per pane, so ask ahead of time. (This is, of course, if you are near by these types of stores).

You could use clear glass with different textures, different shades of white/off-white, yellows, mix and match. I've done several myself and am using two right now for privacy in our bathroom. Those 6-pane windows (linked to above) can be found literally everywhere - yard sales, flea markets - don't pay more than $5, $10 tops (depends on where you get them). The more the panes, obviously, the pricier it will end up, but you will always have it and they never go out of style (in my opinion). If you get the glass cut by someone, then you can go to Home Depot and get some clear silicone and basically "glue" them in place. The silicone is not permanent.

You could actually buy a glass scorer and do it yourself, but without experience, you may waste a bunch of $$ on glass.
posted by foxhat10 at 5:46 PM on August 9, 2016 [2 favorites]

Oh, and meant to add that you can just lean your stained glass window against the window, sitting on the window ledge, so there is no worry about permanent installation. And then you can take it with you when/if you move!
posted by foxhat10 at 5:48 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]

One more comment then I'm done! If you decide to look for window frames, just know that any windows outside of the normal 6 panel that I linked to above (like smaller or larger more intricate window frames) normally run much higher. Memail me if you need any other info!
posted by foxhat10 at 5:51 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]

In my big-street facing window, I have put in cellular blinds that do both bottom-up and top-down, so I can cover the bottom part of the window where people could see in, but leave the top half open to let in light and a view of sky/trees. I had them custom made so they fit perfectly into the windowframe, so you can't peek in around the edges, either.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 6:02 PM on August 9, 2016 [8 favorites]

We actually bought large sheets of gorgeous rice paper from an art store, then affixed them with a couple of removable glue dots. It was much prettier than most of the contact type paper we could find, particularly when sun filtered through..
posted by BundleOfHers at 6:20 PM on August 9, 2016 [5 favorites]

What about bottom-up shades?
posted by falsedmitri at 6:55 PM on August 9, 2016 [2 favorites]

Frosted glass spray "paint."
posted by Violet Hour at 8:41 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]

Oh, and you can scrape it off with a razor if you hate it/move out.
posted by Violet Hour at 8:48 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]

I'd just do a half-height white sheer curtain behind the blinds. Then people would have to see over to see in.
posted by cnc at 9:28 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]

I live in apartments and sheer curtains are designed for this. You can get tension rods to hang them on that don't require install and adjust to any length at Target or Home Depot or Lowe's.
posted by winna at 9:37 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]

Window film is quick, cheap and easy. It sticks on with water and you can pull it off in seconds.
posted by 26.2 at 9:49 PM on August 9, 2016 [2 favorites]

Thin fabric and lace can be adhered to the glass with starch. My mom always used laundry starch, but the tutorials I've found online use corn starch. Might be difficult with a large window, but definitely worth exploring.

posted by purpletangerine at 10:04 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]

I can vouch for privacy window films as suggested above. Great for renters too, because it doesn't leave a mark. And it's cheap, easy to set up.
posted by moiraine at 8:56 AM on August 10, 2016 [1 favorite]

Echoing bottom up shades. They are totally worth every penny.
posted by floweredfish at 7:54 PM on August 10, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! I went with a simple two-layer solution, since I don't know how much longer I'll be in this apartment, and my priority is to "leave no trace" - I put cheap shear craft store fabric curtains on a rod behind the existing mini-blinds. (The main thing bothering me was the gap between the existing mini-blinds and the frames, coupled with the fact that all of the building's residents walk by this window en route to the parking lot, day and night.) They look decent enough for guests, I guess!
posted by Seeking Direction at 5:13 PM on October 25, 2016 [1 favorite]