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Original poster

Net curtain alternatives

29 replies

MushroomTree · 19/01/2019 07:39

I'm moving into a new flat soon which is in the middle of a row of flats above shops. The flats have one long balcony running along the full length of the building.

My living room and kitchen windows are at the front of the flat Which means that anyone walking along this balcony can see into those rooms.

Net curtains are the obvious solution for privacy but they're not the most stylish choice. Has anyone found any alternatives?

OP posts:
CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger · 19/01/2019 07:41

Yes - this

BasinHaircut · 19/01/2019 07:41

You can get that opaque contact paper that makes the glass look frosted? You only fix it on with water I think so easy to take off again after?

Depending on the height of the windows you would only have to do maybe 3/4 of the way up so you can still see out of the top if you need to, but would stop people casually glancing in as they walk past.

Zebrasinpyjamas · 19/01/2019 07:41

Window film! You can get it in a range of designs (some more opaque than others) and it sticks on.

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Vitalogy · 19/01/2019 07:45

Well the new word for nets, voiles. Plain full voiles can be nice. If you aren't bothered about the view/seeing out, what about the frosted/patterned transfer film?

RNBrie · 19/01/2019 07:45

Shutters are expensive but look really nice

You can get blinds that semi obscure but still let in light. Have a Google of Silhouette Shades and "day and night blinds" for a couple of examples.

We've had good results from frosted window film. Have a look at Omega Window Films for some examples. They are not nearly as classy as your other options but vastly cheaper!

Processedpea · 19/01/2019 08:02

I have very plain net curtains and they let in lots of light frosted windows sound very ugly

ElspethFlashman · 19/01/2019 08:10

Just get voiles. Films do work but make the place look like a business and you can't see out much. Doctors waiting room springs to mind.

With voiles nobody can see in and plenty of light gets in, but you can see everything.

The other alternative is venetian blinds but you'd have to have them down all the time, same problem with shutters. Your flat would be like a cave.

OnwardsAndUpwards10 · 19/01/2019 08:20

Tall plants

BooksAreMyOnlyFriends · 19/01/2019 08:27

The opaque film is good if you want to keep light coming in but aren't bothered about being able to see anything through the windows. It can make the space seem closed in due to that though. I would go with voile or venetian blinds that you can tilt.

secretmetoo · 19/01/2019 08:37

Shutters are lovely.

Foonababoonalagoona · 19/01/2019 09:07

I think plain nets are lovely and they add nice softness to a window. My sister had a flat above shops and everyone sitting on the bus had a great view into her living room. She was adamant she was getting rid of the net curtains and tried a few things but went back to the nets. I would hate the frosted glass as you can't look out .

CurlsLDN · 19/01/2019 09:09

If PPs think window films are ugly or look like a business perhaps they haven't seen the beautiful ones from blossom and brush

www.blossomandbrush.com

BrokenWing · 19/01/2019 09:18

We have slim venetians and angled correctly let in light and keep out nosey eyes.

The perfect fit ones that fit into your window frame are very tidy and I think look nice either in white or in a range of colours to coordinate with your décor.

Processedpea · 19/01/2019 09:41

The blossom ones look like old fashion nets just stuck to the window flat Grin

Antiquevintageandrusty · 19/01/2019 10:51

I don’t like the blossom ones at all, much much too busy for me. Purlfrost has a lot of options.

I have got a very overlooked window that would benefit from something. I just can’t bring myself to like window film enough to order it.

I did get a quote for a proper stained glass panel but struggled to find a carpenter willing to encase it properly.

I think I am going to go for a half height shutter but I can’t decide how that would look because the recess is an inch narrower on the bottom ¼ due to tiles.

It is tricky OP.

Antiquevintageandrusty · 19/01/2019 10:52

Purlfrost.

Burpsandfustles · 19/01/2019 10:58

Curls they are beautiful.
There are a few companies that do them. I am looking into them as well.

Oldraver · 19/01/2019 10:59

I've just put up the window cling on a window close to the road, though it is a room we don't use a lot, playroom/ general dumping room

I used a bamboo design and it is very opaque... you can't see out at all so this may be a problem.... the cat wasn't impressed

Burpsandfustles · 19/01/2019 11:00

Purl frost are lovely too!

Oldraver · 19/01/2019 11:02

Oh and I have to say you have to be careful with directional patterns

We bought one with a bird on it and the pattern goes across the window so you get a band ( the width of the cling) going across the window.

Allsloppy · 19/01/2019 11:03

www.web-blinds.com/roller-blinds/22656/vision-screen-soft-white.htm

I have these sheer roller blinds which are like modern nets. You can see out but people can not see in. I love them and have in several rooms.

Burpsandfustles · 19/01/2019 11:11

Allsoppy they look great as well are they expensive?

BooksAreMyOnlyFriends · 19/01/2019 11:19

They are nice Allsloppy. Not sure I would trust them in a bathroom though unless there's no chance of being seen at all Shock

Allsloppy · 19/01/2019 11:21

Burps if you click on the website and enter your sizes it will give you a price. I have always bought when on sale as can be expensive but I notice Dunelmn do them now. I would definitely recommend they changed the look of my lounge, I love them.

Original poster
MushroomTree · 19/01/2019 14:21

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. The windows look out on to the shop car park and then a main road so hardly a view I'm worried about seeing!

I was thinking about the window film for the kitchen and then voile for the living room, plus actual curtains.

OP posts: