When we built our house last year, our neighborhood was just in the beginning stages. Only four streets had been added to this former farm land, and our home was one of the only ones on the far west side of the neighborhood. With no neighbors on either side and no neighbors behind us, we could look out of the rear windows onto an open plain and see every star in the big Texas sky. As you can imagine, it was absolutely tranquil.
Then, the hammering started. And new roads were built. And more and more neighbors came to join our community. We absolutely love having families nearby with children the same age as Zack, but we really miss the privacy we used to have.
As the homes behind us are being built at an alarming rate (seems fast to us, but I’m sure it’s taking FOR.EV.ER for the families waiting on them!), we’re suddenly realizing that we have a problem. We have a two-story living room which I absolutely love, but that means two-story windows. The windows let in so much light that we never have to turn on any other light source until it is pitch black outside, so we opted for static window treatments on either side of our bank of windows.
I’m not too concerned with our privacy during the day since we don’t turn on any interior lights and you really can’t see in these windows at that point. My main concern is at night – especially if the house directly behind us is going to end up being a two-story home, too. You would be able to see directly into the lofted second story catwalk and playroom of our home if the lights are turned on. Even if there is nothing “good” to see, I just don’t like the feeling of someone being able to see me walking up and down the stairs and playing with my son in his playroom.
I have started to look for privacy solutions for these windows, but I haven’t found anything I think will work for us. My options seem to be:
1. Frosted privacy film – This film, which you can apply yourself, lets light in through the windows, but makes the windows translucent enough that no one can see in. The film is great for privacy at night, because it even blocks the the view into your home when it’s dark outside and light in the house. My problem with this is that if I used it on all six windows, I wouldn’t be able to actually see out into the backyard, which is a major deal breaker for me. I guess I could use it on just the top windows, but I think it would look odd to only have some of the windows frosted.
This product, by Gila, is available in DIY kits at Home Depot.
Another Gila product available at Home Depot.
3. Wood blinds – Wooden blinds seem like the most reasonable solution to my problem, with one exception. It would be a nightmare to have to open and close the ones on the top windows. I think I would want the top windows open during the day so I wouldn’t have to give up my light. There are options available for motorized blinds and shades, but I’m scared to even price those!
One option would be for me to make (or purchase?) a really, really long tilt wand that would hang down low enough for me to tilt the blinds.
6. Shutters – I absolutely love the look of interior shutters, but again we have the question of how to open and close them. I feel like the shutters would be even more difficult to adjust than the blinds.
5. Hope for the best – The last option I can come up with is just hoping for the best. Maybe our new neighbors will never look out of their windows and it we won’t have anything to worry about, right? If the houses behind us are single stories, maybe we won’t have to do anything at all…
If you were in my situation, what would you do? Can you think of any other options that I haven’t considered? What do you think would work out best for my windows? Help!
My neighbors have the same problem! For the top layer they added these screen-like things that cut down on glare, still let lots of light in, and block outsiders' view in. I'll find out what they are called and where they got them if you want. The didn't do anything to the ones on the bottom level because the fence protects the view.
Personally, I don't think it would look weird at all if you did the frosted treatment on top and something different on bottom.
We just have sheers on our windows and you would be surprised how much they block out in the evening. More than I expected actually.
I think you could buy long sheers (sew thin panels together to make one really large curtain), then install them on a large curtain rod above the whole window unit. Maybe use a pipe, since it's such a wide expanse. And you could paint the pipe to match the wall, so it will recede when the sheers are open. Then install a curtain pull rod (like what they have on hotel room windows) to pull the sheers across the windows at night. During the day, they could be nestled in by your static drapes.
Have you considered cellular shades (lightweight shades that look like a honeycomb when you view them from the side)? These are a great option for larger windows because when they are not in use, they "stack" small (in other words, they aren't very noticeable when they are open). They're energy efficient and come in a wide range of colors. Some companies even offer remote control options. I'm a decorator and have found these to be great for just the kind of situation you're describing. Hope this helps!
I like the frosted treatments too. Like sturgmom said, you can mix it with sheers on the bottom.
I'm no help but we have a very similar 2 story livingroom…I'm just glad we will never have neighbors behind us. I was debating what to do for window treatments but decided to just leave them at this time. I'm excited to see what you decide on.
I live in AZ and they have these screen things that you can put on the outside of your window. They idea is to keep the intense heat out of your house. It also actually makes it so you can see out, but no one can see in day or night, lights on or off. I am not sure if that is something you might consider, but they don't look bad in the homes here. Tons of people of them.
I was thinking of those cellular shades too. And I think they do make a way to open the blinds from the floor like brenbren said.
Oooh, these are all awesome ideas! You gals are way smarter than me. 🙂 Love y'all. Keep 'em coming!
The shutters on both would work. Even if the uppers are really high, once they are secured, it's not difficult to open and close them and adjust to the light. Long stick painted the same color as the walls and tuck in behind the static treatments when not being used.
oddly enough, i was looking at window treatments that my dr's office had done for windows that are very similar to yours just yesterday. i was looking at them because they opted for the wood blinds on top and bottom…the difference is that instead of long wands to twirl the top blinds, they were corded on both sides to open and close them and they made the cords uniform to blend with the decor. they looked good–not odd at all…and now maybe i understand the reason i logged that in my memory—so i could read your blog about this problem and tell you what i saw? random…i know. Good luck! we came in during the 1st phase of a new neighborhood as well and they just started phase 4, so we know whatcha mean about people being in places where there was no one before. we welcome the company and friendships (with cookies, in fact), but there are now eyes in places where there weren't before.
Happy Hunting! 🙂
Susan
I love faux wood blinds. They look crisp and clean and can be raised out of the way during the day. Good luck with your decision. Have a great day.
Charla
Cellular ("honeycomb) blinds with top down option depending on where and the angle of the neighbours' view towards you.I still like to see out even up to the sky but no one below or across can see us moving around. Condense very small at the top when not in use.
karent
what about sheers?
Plantation shutters are my most favorite means of keeping good things in and eyes out, even better if one can open the windows od say a juliet balcony beyond…
Someone has already suggested Voile, which I was going to suggest. However, I think maybe using voile on the top windows, and the same colour in a heavy curtain fabric in the bottom would give you the privacy you want, as you could close the curtains at night, and it would still look fairly continuous. You could put voile on the bottom windows too so that it looks the same in the day time if you are that way inclided!
Voiles on top, heavier curtains in the same colour in the bottom? That way, you get complete privacy where you will actually be wandering and doing your day to day stuff, and the voiles block out at least some at the top, whilst still letting lots of light in during the day.
I have to agree with this blog, there is no better way to get some privacy from your neighbors, than to install frosted window film on any window in your house. Perry Jamal frosted window film