12 Stylish Window Treatments for French Doors
Mais oui!
Nothing’s more pleasant than a quiet Sunday as you lounge by the new French doors of your home. You sip your coffee, take in the view, and bask in the morning sunlight…
Unless it’s August in Southern California, and the sunlight feels like a blast from a smelting furnace. Worse, your uncovered French doors may have turned your sanctuary into a fishbowl. Everyone in the neighborhood seems to know what you’re up to.
French doors demand a stylish but effective window treatment. In this blog, we’ll explore the options to secure your sanctuary while imparting the requisite panache.
NOTE: All window treatments featured below have motorized options for easy control.
1. Roller Shades
Roller shades have a clean, streamlined appearance that won’t overwhelm your French doors.
These shades roll up and down noiselessly and provide complete privacy when extended. Various materials filter light to different degrees, so pick one that suits your needs. Look for fabrics with a solar protection factor (SPF) against harmful UV rays.
Top-down/bottom-up models let you control the shades from above or below without blocking natural light.
Motorized shades add a layer of comfort and convenience, allowing operation via a remote, app, or voice command.
2. Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters project the quintessential French door vibe with their broad, bold louvers and timeless appeal. They’re low-maintenance and exceptionally durable, with some models warranted for life.
They provide superior light and privacy control, insulation, and noise reduction. They fold to the side when not in use, and their adjustable louvers let you manage air circulation and natural light. Choose from a menu of louver sizes, colors, woods, and frames to match your home’s decor.
Wood plantation shutters cost more than other window treatments on this list, but composite and vinyl shutters give you more budget-friendly options.
3. Roman Shades
Roman shades lend an understated sophistication to a room. They’re a cross between shades and curtains, as they have clean, tailored lines like shades but with the softness of curtains. They fold up neatly when drawn and lie flat when extended.
Roman shades come in various materials, from light-filtering sheer linen to blackout fabrics, and numerous styles, including classic flat, waterfall, balloon, or relaxed.
4. Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are a highly functional, strikingly contemporary window treatment. Their double-cell construction traps air for unparalleled insulation against heat and cold.
When raised, their pleated folds collapse into a compact stack, giving you an unobstructed view of the outside. When lowered, they have a ruffled, origami-like appearance that adds texture and depth to your doors.
Cellular shades are available in a range of colors, sizes, shapes, patterns, and light-filtering levels.
5. Sheer Shades
Sheer shades offer a modern spin on traditional curtains by combining soft, translucent fabric with opaque vanes that diffuse light when rotated.
These shades provide privacy while allowing natural light into your space, perfect for rooms where you want both light and privacy. They come in various colors and textures, including light-filtering or room-darkening options.
For a gorgeous top-down view, install your sheer shades with the vanes facing up.
6. Woven Wood Shades
Woven wood shades are crafted from renewable materials like bamboo, jute, or grasses. They bring a warm, organic element to your French doors.
Styles include Roman, waterfall, roller, and sliding panels, letting you choose the perfect look for your space. Shades are available in various colors and light-filtering levels to match any decor.
Woven wood shades provide a unique combination of privacy and natural light, making them a fit for living spaces where you want both. You can customize their opacity by adding a privacy or blackout liner.
7. Panel Track Blinds
Panel track blinds are ideal for large French doors since they glide along a track instead of stacking up like traditional vertical blinds. They come in a range of materials — from wood to fabric and even woven bamboo — to suit any interior design style.
Their sleek, contemporary styling and smooth operation make them a prime choice for modern homes. Their adjustable panels give you excellent light control and privacy.
8. Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds are a classic option for French doors. Their horizontal slats provide precise control over light and privacy and stack neatly out of the way when raised. Choose from aluminum, vinyl, wood, and faux wood to match your home’s decor.
Wooden Venetian blinds add warmth and character to a room, while metal blinds give off a modern vibe. Motorized models let you raise or lower the blinds and also adjust the slat angle with the touch of a button.
9. Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are affordable and practical, available in fabric, vinyl, wood, or aluminum to suit every style and budget.
These blinds stack neatly to one side when open, allowing plenty of natural light into your space. They’re easy to maintain and clean, making them a good choice for high-traffic areas.
Vertical blinds are highly customizable, with options for materials, colors, patterns, slat sizes, and valances.
10. Sheer Curtains
Curtains seldom spring to mind as a treatment for French doors. But sheer curtains can look surprisingly chic.
Sheer curtains blend delicate elegance with functionality. They add a soft, airy, romantic touch while allowing you to enjoy the view outside.
Pair them with drapes or valances for a dramatic effect. Consider using tiebacks to keep the curtains neatly pulled back when you want an unobstructed view. Look for lightweight fabrics that won’t weigh down the doors and impede movement.
11. Bamboo Shades
Bamboo shades come in various weaves, finishes, and colors to match your home’s decor. You can choose from Roman, roll-up, or folding styles.
Their natural, eco-friendly materials bring warmth and texture to your space and blend with interior design styles from rustic and bohemian to modern and minimalist.
Complement your bamboo shades with coordinating decor accents like woven rugs or throw pillows for a cohesive look. And opt for lined or blackout versions if you need more privacy or want to block out the sun’s glare.
12. Drapes
Drapes may seem old-fashioned, but their flowing lines and voluminous folds offer a distinct grandeur, transforming French doors into a statement piece.
Depending on their fabric and style, drapes can have a soft, romantic ambiance or a bold, dramatic flair. When not in use, the drapes can be stylishly swept to the side, revealing your French doors in all their glory.
Layer drapes with Roman shades, blinds, or sheers to match any interior style, from antique to contemporary.
Conclusion
French doors are a beautiful addition to a home that deserve equally beautiful window treatments. Consider factors like light control, privacy, insulation, and budget. And if you’d like to know more or test working models of the window treatments recommended here, call us at Aero Shade.
Our Los Angeles showroom is open weekdays. We have 50+ years in the business and are happy to help you make the perfect choice for your French doors.
FAQs: More about French Door Window Treatments
Q: How do I decide which window treatment style is best for my home?
Evaluate your decor, privacy, and light control needs. Account for your aesthetic preferences and the ambiance you want to create in your living spaces.
Q: Can I mix and match different window treatment styles for a unique look?
Mixing and matching window treatments can create a unique and stylish look for your French doors. For example, combining curtains with blinds or sheer panels with shutters can add depth and dimension to your decor.
Q: Are there any energy-efficient options for French door window treatments?
Shades, especially cellular shades, are known for their energy-efficient properties. They provide insulation and help regulate the temperature in your home, making them an excellent choice for French doors.
Q: Are there any child and pet-friendly options among these window treatments?
Cordless blinds, cordless shades, and shutters are some child- and pet-friendly options. They eliminate the risk of entanglement and make for a safer environment. Motorized options are also great for homes with young children and pets.
Q: What’s a good window treatment for those who value privacy?
Top-down, bottom-up shades are a favorite option. You can lower these from the top or raise them from the bottom to maintain privacy while letting in natural light.
Q: I have a modern home. What type of window treatment would suit my interior?
For a modern aesthetic, you might want to go for sleek and clean-lined window treatments like roller shades or panel track blinds. Metallic or monochrome colors could work well too.
Q: Can I use different window treatments in different rooms?
It’s completely fine to use different window treatments to suit the needs and style of each room.
Q: Are there any eco-friendly window treatment options?
Yes, there are. Bamboo shades, for example, are made from natural, sustainable materials. Some manufacturers also offer blinds or curtains made from recycled materials.
Q: What window treatments would you recommend for a small space?
You might consider options that don’t occupy much space when fully open, like Roman shades or roller blinds.
Q: Is it possible to automate the operation of my window treatments?
Most modern window treatments come with motorized options. This allows you to open, close, and adjust them with the touch of a button. It’s a helpful feature for hard-to-reach windows.
