Half glazed front door. What do you have for privacy?

[user1471530109]

What makes the above even more of an issue regarding privacy, is the only bathroom is right next to the front door. So every time during night hours, I feel on show every time I use the bathroom. I have plans to change the front door and to move the bathroom eventually, but in the mean time I need a solution.
I am thinking a curtain as there is space to the side and another small window. But is that old fashioned? I do like the idea of drawing it across as it's a bit draughty too.
I've looked at frosting the glass, but it's Flemish so bumpy and also leaded. So not possible.
I've also considered a blind and or small curtain or net to cover the window.

Surely someone else has this issue?

I have a door curtain between (glazed) kitchen door and porch. If makes a big difference to warmth, and I don’t care about fashion.

But... unless your bathroom door is glazed (which would be... unusual), do you not just pull your pants up before exiting bathroom?

Can you use spray frosting? The sort you spray on windows at Christmas. Maybe not Christmas shapes though...

Haha, I don't intentionally go around with my knickers round my ankles. It's more getting out the shower etc. Yes we all cover up. But it feels very open. Doesn't help the bloody cat can open the door either.

I think a curtain will be easiest and actually help block the draught too. I think frosting won't work because of the me dated lead diamonds. It needs a new door and porch ideally. But the renovation is hard going with no money or skills!

I was more wondering if there is something I hadn't thought of or loads would come on and say a door curtain is cool .

Nothing wrong with a curtain, much rather than that people seeing everytime I went to the loo or shower

The only thing about a curtain (which I would get partic if the door is draughty) is whether it will block the letterbox and if you’re a late riser. I used to live with a very heavy front door curtain and would come down to post sticky out of the front door or concertinaed up etc.

Postie doesn't come until midday and we are up and out (when not in lockdown) way before then.

Thanks for the thoughts

You can get frosting film to make the glass opaque - at most people outside will be able to see a shadow

MIL has a roller blind attached to the door so it's doesn't get in the way like a curtain would.

Happy, it won't work unfortunately. Glass is Flemish design and also has leaded diamonds all over it. I've used the frosting stuff before and it was the first thing I considered. I'd replace the glass if I wasn't so sure that eventually I'll be replacing the door in the next 12-24 months.

I was looking at a type of blind, more of a curtain, that fits just over the glass. Think they are more American to be honest. Worried it will be too dark in the day but may look better? I can't decide if that or a curtain across the whole lot.

To be honest I'm enjoying trying to think of something so daft and normal in lockdown. I think I'm overthinking it intentionally iyswim.

I'd get two pieces of the wire used to hold net curtains, one above the glass, the other beneath. Find a piece of suitable fabric - choose your colour and make a seam top and bottom then thread onto wire.

If it's only short term you could just get a roller blind from idea or similar and fit, although they are quite bulky (fittings etc). They do the concertina blinds that you cut and you can fix up and down (we used them while renovating) - they're less bulky. You could also fit a curtain rail, less bulky than a pole and just use it in winter - it's darker, you have the lights on more and people can see in more and it'll help with the cold.

I second the sticky plastic that looks frosted. We have a clear diamond in an otherwise frosted front door and that is covered beautifully with the plastic.

@Ifailed that's what I'm in about! But I'm sure it would be beyond me. I'm not a sewer. You make it sound so easy! I do have a mini sewing machine somewhere.... I suppose with just a thin piece of fabric, the light would still travel through. Hmmmm. Hadn't considered making something myself. There is a similar curtain in Amazon but it's blackout and I worry a bit heavy for the net wire.

Drip feed...the door is PVCu and probably 20 years old. You need to slam it to close it as the catch is broken. I think a roller blind will fall off. Plus, I can figure out how to attach the pole for a curtain and maybe net wire (using the contour sticky hooks for both-done it before ) but can't figure out how to attach a blind without drilling. I need to attach one to my daughter window but can't figure out how to do it. The walls are rock solid and even the trade people when I moved in had trouble.

IKEA do a light fabric blind that can be held up by netting wire and looks quite nice, IMO. Basically a sheet of white fabric with some loops at the top. You have to cut it to size and hem it though as they sell it in one (very long) length.

We have this. I don't like it, but it's how the house came. I don't like it because you can see right through and who's coming down the stairs. We have a voile curtain attached to the actual door, and then in the evening, we have curtains that go right to the floor that we close. They help keep the heat in because there's a single glazed window next to the door and it's quite draughty.

What about something like this?

I have them on my patio doors. Can cut to length and roll up to let light in.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00T9SV864/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/schottis-pleated-blind-white-20242282/

You can get these in black or white. I believe they just stick up with velcro and have clips to alter the length of them.

I will check out IKEA website, thank you. I do have one of their paper blinds which I've stuck up in the bathroom as I'm single and like I said useless as diy but worried it would get wrecked by the door in minutes.

@AlphaJura I hadn't considered both. That actually makes a lot of sense. It seems wrong to close the window in the day but there are still privacy issues because of the bathroom.

I'm going to see if I can knock something up (always wanted to say that and mean it) with the net wire as mentioned above. I've got loads of old bedding (Peppa pig blind anyone?) to practice on!

That's the blind I have as a spare for the bathroom one! I don't think it would last on the door though. But I have been tempted a few times. The one in the bathroom has been up 18mths

Just get a curtain, we have a velvet one I got off ebay and it makes a tremendous difference to how warm the house is, never mind people being able to see in. A curtain is practical and so will never be out of fashion.

This looks nice or this in a more modern house.

OP, you could cheat and use a stapler if you don't fancy sewing.