These are the 8 best stylish options for sliding glass door covers

Vertical blinds covering sliding glass doors can conjure up several different images. You might think of a cheap hotel balcony or your aunt’s house from the 60s, but you probably don’t think of words like “stylish” or “trendy.” If you’re itching to replace your old vertical blinds with something a little nicer, the good news is that there are plenty of options, from elegant, full-length curtains to rustic bamboo blinds. What you need depends on your personal aesthetics as well as your priorities.

Window treatments serve a few different functions. They can limit the amount of light coming through a window or door, provide privacy and, of course, provide aesthetic appeal. Especially for sliding glass doors, they should be easy to use. A window that is only opened once at a time may have a window treatment that is overly complex or gets in the way, because it is not used often. However, if you have to undo complicated latches or wrestle with stuff stuck in the door every time you try to get onto your patio, that frustration will grow faster, no matter how beautiful the treatment. Additionally, since the door is larger than the window and almost entirely glass, it naturally lets in more light and offers less privacy. That makes choosing the right window treatment important.

That is why vertical blinds were commonly used for sliding glass doors. They slide sideways with the door, making them easy to use. Long slats can be folded flat to completely cover the door to provide privacy or swivel to let in plenty of light. Now, however, there are options that provide those benefits while looking great.

Curtains are versatile, easy to use and add effortless charm. When it comes Cover the sliding glass door with a curtainCurtain size and curtain rod placement can make a huge difference. Using a long curtain rod allows you to move the curtain completely outside the door. Long curtains can get dirty or cumbersome, so choose something that just covers the door. Choose a lighter fabric to diffuse light and add some privacy, or choose a heavier fabric for more privacy and less light.

Venetian blinds offer a clean, simple look for your sliding glass doors. Just like vertical blinds, they are easy to adjust to let in more light or give yourself more privacy. Venetian blinds aren’t the most glamorous option, but if you want something understated and minimal, a black Venetian blind will do the trick. They are also relatively easy to clean, which is useful for exterior doors. If the dust flies, you can clean it without problems. However, because they open vertically instead of sliding horizontally with the door, they are not the most efficient cover option.

Roman shades feature both elegant curtain folds and roller blinds. They sit on top of your sliding glass door and can be gradually adjusted to cover more or less of the door. This gives you great control over the amount of light and privacy. The fabric gathers into a beautiful stack at the top, a bit like a valance. Because they don’t roll up completely, you’ll need to account for that extra space. Additionally, folds can sometimes sit a little awkwardly and need to be adjusted to look their best.

Are you going for the full one? Plantation shutters to cover your sliding glass doors Or want a more modern looking sliding shutter, these come with plenty of benefits. They can open like your sliding glass door or fold to the side like a privacy screen. They also cover a wide range of genres. Rustic wooden shutters that cover the entire door add privacy and charm, but you can also get custom cafe shutters that only cover part of the door. Leaving part of your door open means less privacy, but more natural light.

Sliding panels are perfect if you want a window treatment that easily covers your sliding glass doors and also adds some texture and visual interest to your room. The panels themselves can be made from a wide range of fabrics and materials, including both solid colors and patterned options. Whatever the aesthetic of your room, there are sliding panels to match. As with curtains, you can choose a more sheer material to let in some light while still covering the door. Pick something thick to keep the room dark and quiet.

Roller shades are similar to Roman shades, but offer a sleeker, more modern-looking approach. They sit above the door and can be raised and lowered, but instead of folding over the top, the material is rolled into plastic shielding. This allows the shade to completely disappear when not in use, giving you a completely unobstructed view. When you want privacy, all you have to do is lower the shade. This makes roller shades perfect for people who want all the benefits of a shade, but don’t want the shade to be visible all the time.

If opening and closing blinds or curtains annoys you, you can opt for the one-and-done approach of adding window film to your sliding doors. Depending on your goals and personal preferences, there are a few options to choose from for a semi-permanent solution. Dark, tinted window film can help reduce glare and limit the amount of light shining through your door. Cover your sliding doors with colorful window film Can also add whimsy to your room, and you can use it to create beautiful mosaic patterns. For maximum privacy, choose a film that mimics frosted or textured glass.

Bamboo blinds are perfect for adding a natural, tropical feel to your home. They are usually made from thin strips or rods of bamboo and are also available as roller blinds, sliding panels and drapes. The color and texture are neutral enough to pair with a range of design styles. Bamboo slats are also light enough that you can leave the blinds down with the door open and watch them sway in the breeze. Traditional bamboo blinds have long cords that can be dangerous, so choose a modern cordless version for your sliding doors.