Net Curtains - need to find an alternative

[ducdo]

Hubby and I could really fall out over the net curtains in our house. I think they look awful, much better and brighter without them.

However he insists that we have them as convinced everyone is looking in on us and wants the privacy. Also thinks its a security risk if you can see straight in.

So need to compromise and put something up at the window (currently have curtains in lounge and bedroom) but cannot find something to go up that still lets the light through. Any suggestions welcome please..

[FrazzledFairyFay]

You can get very thin blinds which are designed to let some light in. I think Ikea do them

[GentleOtter]

Lots of houses in the Netherlands have a half net up at their windows but I don't know what they are called. It is sort of a cafe curtain but in a thicker cotton net. They look lovely.

[littlerach]

Yes, a cafe curtain looks nice.

Or you can get frosting to go on windows.

[smellybulldog]

www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70026704

these are the ones, I have them in my bedroom as it's overlooked by all the neighbours but I didn't want fussy nets. Still lets the light in.

Before this I tried the opaque sticky film that you stick on the windows but that was a disaster, looked rubbish and was really hard to apply.

You could use glass etch spray but that's also tricky to get an even coverage.

[smellybulldog]

In case my link didnt work they are called ENJE from Ikea

[sazzerbear]

what about wooden venetian blinds, you can slant them different ways or close them completely - they let in light but make it difficult to see in. When you are home, you can obviously pull them up out of the way to let more light in.

[bellavitalikesthesimnellife]

We have venetian blinds in the sitting room and bedroom both with dress curtains.

The blinds downstairs are usually on half tilt during the day and it still lets loads of light in.

[GentleOtter]

Masses of plants to form a living curtain?

[ducdo]

I was thinking about roman blinds (thin ones to let the light through) although would need about 5 separate ones on our window which could be a bit of a pain to keep putting them up/down.
Maybe the wooden venetian blinds may be best as I can keep them down all the time and just tilt them open/shut.
Thanks everyone x

[blithedance]

Have you a sash type window with a bar half way up? Our previous house faced straight onto the street and I had half/cafe curtains in a fine ivory plain voile. You still got the sky and daylight, but privacy from passers by. I notice from Google streetview they are still there!

[ducdo]

No, just normal double glazed bay windows but the glass have no lead or pattern on them so sometimes it can feel a little like you can see in too much ..

[blithedance]

Grow some seriously leafy plants on the window sill - inside or out! Can you nick any good ideas from your neighbours?

[moshie]

There's a house near me that has frosting on the windows with clear ovals in a row going up the centre. It looks really effective, I think you can buy cling on frosting in different designs.

[MadameCastafiore]

Frosting - there are lots of internet companies that sell it - you just send in your measurements and then fit it at home - they come with lots of designs if you don't want plain.

[moshie]

similar to this

[jalopy]

What about blinds that cover the bottom half of the window? You pull them up from the base of the window. This allows more light in and maintains privacy.

Either this or 50/50 blinds, as shown on this website

[SadieSunshine]

brume also does the window frosting.

I got some plain cut-to-size frosting from B&Q and homebase.

[ducdo]

I love those frosty window designs, not seen that before and it looks fab, although not sure it would look right in our lounge window .. think its more suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.
Had a chat with hubby about it all and he wants nets (for cheap option) or plain roller blinds, although not sure they will let enough light through .. All your messages are very helpful though, thanks to all

[ThingOne]

We have the ikea anti-glare blinds. They are great during the day and don't cut out any light. They are see through at night so I draw the curtains.

[sazzerbear]

Some nets are quite pretty - not all are grey old fogey ones!

[Pannacotta]

If you under window film in your Yellow PAges you'll find companies who will install window film for you.
We did this in our previous house in teh conservatory and it was perfect, total privacy, let in the light but no one coudl see in.
Wooden venetians are good but a total dust trap so no good for domestic slatterns like me....

[samsonara]

I got some plain nets and only got the exact width that fits the wire, so there are no pleats and it looks just like those trendy panels

[ducdo]

samsonara - thats a thought, maybe I could go to John Lewis and see what plain fabrics they have .. its all the folds of material that I don't like but like you say if you get the width to fit the window they may sit better.
Visited my sister in law yesterday who has gorgeous white wooden shutters but they are NOT cheap so don't think that's an option .. although they did look fab!

[louii]

I didnt think people still used net curtains, never seen any in a long time.