Patio doors bring in natural light and connect your home to the outdoors, but when you need more control, curtains or blinds are the best things to put on patio doors. Whether you're a homeowner dressing sliding patio doors or French doors, the right window treatment can filter glare, add privacy, improve energy efficiency, protect furniture from sun damage, and sharpen the look of the room.
There are plenty of patio door curtain and blind ideas to choose from, including sheer curtains, heavier energy-efficient panels, vertical blinds, and shutters, so you can match the treatment to your door type and your style. This guide walks through the main types of patio doors, which coverings work best for each one, how to choose and measure curtains, and what alternative window treatments to consider if curtains are not the right fit.
You can hang curtains on your patio doors to make them look bold and stylish. Here's how:
What Should You Put on Patio Doors for Each Door Type?
Match the covering to how the door opens. Sliding doors suit wide curtains on an extended pole or vertical blinds; French doors suit door-mounted blinds or curtains with tiebacks; bifold doors suit curtains that stack well clear of the opening, or integral blinds sealed inside the glass.
A patio door is often the centre of the room; this door style really stands out! Understanding the type of door you have will make it easier to decide what to put on it.
There are two options that most people go for; sliding patio doors (most commonly found in modern homes, and ideal for saving floor space because they do not swing inward or outward), and French doors (double doors that open outwards either into a room or an outside area). Bifold doors are also a popular decorative choice for patio doors.
Here are the different types of curtains that you can use on these doors:
What Works Best on Sliding Patio Doors?
Wide curtains are most suited to these doors. Choose a pole that extends well past the frame on the opening side so the curtain stacks back clear of the glass, or use vertical or panel blinds that glide out of the way.
What Works Best on Hinged Patio Doors?
Billowy curtains work best for hinged doors. These curtains cover both the door and the windows on the side of the doors.
What Works Best on Corner Doors?
You can consider using rod pocket curtains, as these make the room feel warm and cosy.
What Works Best on Bifold Doors?
Patterned sheer curtains work with bifold doors, which can open up an entire wall to the patio. They also allow maximum airflow and create a seamless indoor-outdoor transition.
What Works Best on French Doors?
For French doors, which have two panels that open from the centre for a classic, elegant appearance, cinched curtains work better than hanging normal curtains off the curtain panels.
They can also create a wider opening, but they require swing space. With these doors, use curtains that you can gather in the middle to add to the chic look of the door and a traditional feel.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing Patio Door Curtains?
Check how the door opens, measure so the curtain clears the glass when drawn back, fit tiebacks so fabric can't catch in the door, and match the fabric to the room. If curtains won't stack out of the way, consider blinds or shutters instead.
Here are a few tips before choosing what to hang on your doors.
Which Curtain Heading Suits a Patio Door?
Don't use pocket-style curtain ideas for your patio door unless it's a corner door. Opening and closing these can be a struggle when hung on a door instead of a window. Instead, pinch pleat curtains or grommet-style window treatments are a better option. Roller blinds are a neat window covering that provides coverage without hindering door function. Vertical blinds are especially practical in high-traffic areas because they are easy to move out of the way.
Make sure to install tiebacks to gather your patio door curtains when the door is open. A breeze can leave the curtain blowing in the way, potentially causing entanglements when trying to pass through or even getting caught underneath your feet, which could cause a safety issue.
How Do You Measure Curtains for Patio Doors?
Measure your curtains and the rod accurately. Your curtain rod needs to extend behind the door to open correctly, and your curtain needs to be wide enough to close entirely without looking taut. This way, the curtain won't get in the way when you are using the door.
Another great idea is to hang your curtains about 1–2cm above the floor. You can also mount the rod higher to create the illusion of taller ceilings. This helps keep them off the floor and also looks pretty stylish. For complex patio door layouts or extra-wide treatments, professional installation can help ensure proper operation.
Are Blinds Better Than Curtains for Patio Doors?
Why not opt for vertical blinds? Built-in, or integral, blinds in glass are a maintenance-free solution sealed between the panes. They stay low-maintenance and dust-free, require no external maintenance, and can improve thermal efficiency. Motorised blinds are another practical choice, offering easy operation with a remote, and some systems can also be controlled by a wall switch. Many homeowners love the modern look of Roman blinds, and they're also more adjustable to easily block light from coming into your room.
What Colour Curtains Suit Patio Doors?
When choosing patio door curtain ideas, ensure they match the wall colour and the overall style of your room. Soft whites and gentle greys can make a bright room feel bigger. If your room is quite plain, don't be afraid to go bold with your curtains to make them the focal point of the room, with deep navy creating a striking focal point and a touch of visual interest. Layering similar neutral shades can also add subtle depth.
What Are the Best Curtain and Blind Ideas for Patio Doors?
Popular options include sheer curtains, thermal curtains, sheer vertical blinds, honeycomb shades, sliding panel blinds and plantation shutters. Thermal curtains and honeycomb shades are best for cutting heat loss, while sheers and day-and-night blinds keep the room bright while adding privacy.
You can choose from many curtain ideas to put on your door. Here are a few suggestions you can consider when dressing your French or patio doors.
Sheer curtains
These are the perfect curtains when you are looking for light fabrics and textures to brighten your space. This window dressing can filter light for more light overall while reducing glare and keeping rooms cooler in strong sunlight.
Energy-efficient curtains
These are also known as thermal curtains, as they insulate a room. They are ideal for blocking light from coming in and are similar to blackout curtains. You can also layer them with sheer panels instead of heavier drapes for a more flexible look. Fully lined curtains also add warmth and texture during the winter months.
Sheer vertical blinds
As the name might suggest, these are a combination of sheer curtains and vertical blinds. They're ideal if you don't want heavy curtains hung on your patio doors, but don't want to leave them completely bare, either, helping create a comfortable atmosphere without making the space feel closed off. Day and Night blinds offer a similar effect by combining sheer and opaque panels to help control light levels and privacy.
French door curtains
French door curtains are ideal for blocking out the sun's harsh light. They can also insulate the room by holding in the heat.
Vertical cellular shades
These are made with a honeycomb construction that traps air inside pockets to help insulate a room.
Sliding panels
Sliding panels are not made from regular curtain fabric. Instead, these panels attach to the curtain rod and slide along the door while providing UV protection. These modern window treatments are made of bamboo, grass and reeds, making them eco-friendly.
Honeycomb shades
Honeycomb shades are a great choice as they can be used in any weather conditions. They are energy-efficient, and their honeycomb construction traps air. This also helps with temperature control within a room.
Shutters
Plantation shutters can be another choice instead of using patio door curtains, with adjustable slats that help control light while maintaining privacy and add a traditional feel. They are easy to clean, come in various colours, and can help insulate the room year-round.
Sheer waterproof curtains
These are water-repellent and ideal for people in a cold climate. With these fitted, you can open your door even when it rains, as the curtains are mildew resistant and won't get damaged. If you choose blinds or curtains in wipe-clean fabrics, they’re also a practical option for homes with children, pets, or sticky fingers.
Why Should You Cover Your Patio Doors?
Coverings protect furniture and floors from UV fading, cut heat loss on winter nights, help keep rooms cooler in summer and give you privacy after dark.
Using curtains on your door prevents solar damage. The light coming into your room can cause damage to furniture or other items, which is why choosing a curtain with UV protection is most important. Using lined curtains is great if you want to block light from entering a room.
You should also look for energy efficient curtains to help with heat and natural light control. Many curtains are designed to keep heat in when the weather is cold, and keep the room cooler when it gets hot outside. This can help save you money on your heating and cooling bills, as well as keeping you feeling comfortable!
Finally, covering your patio doors with a curtain can give you extra peace of mind so that people are not looking into your home. Privacy film is another option that lets in natural light while blocking visibility for a more seamless look. Integral blinds in glass can also provide privacy without external maintenance. Flush thresholds can make the transition to outdoor spaces more seamless and reduce trip hazards.
Patio Door Curtain and Blind FAQs
What size curtains do I need for my patio door?
You must measure your patio doors to get your curtains' correct width and length. The wider the door, the larger the stacking distance. Wider patio doors often need extra width for full coverage when closed, so curtains or blinds should span the opening for complete privacy and light blocking.
As a rule of thumb, add around 125mm to the width of a 1500mm door, 200mm to an 1800mm door and 200–300mm to anything wider, so the curtains overlap the frame when closed.
Measuring for window dressings is much easier than measuring for the doors themselves. If you're replacing the doors too, see our guide to standard UK patio door sizes.
Can I use blinds on my patio door?
Blinds and curtains both work very well for sliding glass doors. If you want to keep the sun out, provide privacy and add to the room's interior design, blinds work just as well as curtains. It all depends on the aesthetic you are going for when choosing patio door curtain ideas.
Which curtains work best for patio doors?
There are different styles of curtains that you can choose from—these range from sheer curtains, honeycomb shades, shutters, and even sliding panels. Roller blinds are also a neat choice for sliding patio doors because they are durable and easy to clean.
What kind of covering can I put on my glass sliding door?
The type of window treatment you choose for your sliding glass door can range from blinds to curtains.
Depending on your interior design choice, they can even be covered with sliding panels or shutters. These can be bold in colour or simply plain; the choices are endless!
How do you attach curtains to patio or French doors?
Insert the curtain rod through the spaces provided at the top and bottom of the patio curtain. Once you have done that, attach the curtains to the door by sliding the rod into the hooks directly above and below the patio door frame.
You can then decide if you want to use curtain ties to gather the curtains in one area of the door or push them open completely aside to give you a full view of the outside. Ensure the curtains are wider than the rod to get more coverage when closing them completely, and note that wider patio doors may need multiple panels for a layered setup so the curtains open and close smoothly while still covering the full opening.
Can you have shutters on patio doors?
Yes. Plantation shutters can be fitted to patio doors on a track system so the panels slide or fold clear of the opening, or hinged onto French doors. Check there is enough space for the shutter panels to stack when open, and that handles and locks still operate freely.
How do you dress patio doors without curtains?
Vertical blinds, panel blinds, roller blinds fitted to each door leaf, plantation shutters, privacy film and integral blinds sealed inside the glass are all good alternatives. Door-mounted blinds work particularly well on French doors because they move with the door.
What blinds are best for patio doors?
Vertical blinds and panel blinds are the most practical for sliding and bifold doors because they draw fully clear of the opening. For French doors, perfect-fit or roller blinds fixed to each leaf are best. Integral blinds cost more but never need dusting.
How do you stop patio door curtains blowing in the wind?
Fit tiebacks or holdbacks so the curtains are secured clear of the opening when the doors are open, and choose a slightly heavier, lined fabric. Weighted hems also help curtains hang straight in a draught.
Which Patio Door Covering Should You Choose?
We hope the patio door curtain ideas above have inspired you to find a stylish window dressing for your patio doors. There are endless options to choose from, so keep your door style and the aesthetic of the room in mind, so you can make the best choice.
If you're still choosing the doors themselves, browse our aluminium sliding doors, aluminium French doors and aluminium bifold doors, or read what is a patio door?
