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:
Consider What Items Will Suit Your Patio Door Type
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:
Sliding doors
Wide curtains are most suited to these types of doors. Some sliding options for large patio doors are multi-slide systems that glide along a track and may tuck into a pocket for a clear opening. Lift-and-slide doors are a premium option with larger glass panels. They make pretty sliding door window treatments and are often insulated to keep heat in your room.
Hinged doors
Billowy curtains work best for hinged doors. These curtains cover both the door and the windows on the side of the doors.
Corner doors
You can consider using rod pocket curtains, as these make the room feel warm and cosy.
Folding 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.
French doors
For French doors, which have two panels that open from the center 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.
Considerations Before Choosing Curtains For Patio Doors
Here are a few tips before choosing what to hang on your doors.
Choose your curtain according to your door type
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.
Have the correct measurements
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 an inch 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.
Try blinds as an alternative
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. Motorized 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.
Think about interior design
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.
Curtain Ideas That You Can Use For Both Patio Doors And French Doors
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 lowering air conditioning needs 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 colors, 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.
Reasons Why You Should Use A Curtain On Your Patio Doors
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.
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.
Add a few inches to the measurements for a better fit. Add 5 inches to 60-inch wide door, 8 inches to a 72-inch wide door and 8-12 inches to a door width of over 72 inches.
Thankfully, measuring up for window dressings isn't quite as difficult as measuring to fit the doors in the first place! Our guide on how to fit patio doors has more information on this aspect.
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.
ItemWhich 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 to attach curtains to a 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.
Wrapping Up
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.
Visit our homepage to learn more about our incredible range of patio doors and aluminium windows. For more information on caring for your door, here is everything you need to know about your aluminium door.
