20 Stylish Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Doors

Subtle Sliding Door Window Treatments

Sliding doors offer expansive views to the outside that you might not want to block with heavy draperies. Instead, opt for more discreet window treatment ideas such as roller shades that won't hinder the view. When rolled up, the system blends in with the door's trim for a seamless look. The simple window shades can be pulled down when needed to block light and offer privacy.

Light-Blocking Sliding Door Curtains

In areas that receive intense sunlight, such as a room with south-facing sliding doors, blocking light is a top priority for window treatments. Choose lined curtains for your sliding doors that will effectively block the sun's rays during the day. This helps keep your home cooler during the warm summer months and protects furnishings, such as area rugs and upholstered furniture, from sun damage or fading.

Functional Window Treatments

Choosing a window treatment for a sliding glass door can be a challenge because you don't want to hinder the usefulness of the door. As you dress up your sliding door, consider using tiebacks to cinch window curtains aside, especially on the side with the handle, to support door function. If you're using valances or Roman shades, mount window treatments high enough above the door frame so the hem doesn't brush heads passing through. Be sure to hang curtain panels that will be opened and closed an inch above the floor to keep them clean and out of foot traffic.

Stylish Sliding Door Curtains

Sometimes sliding door curtains aren't needed for any practical reason and simply add style to a space. Here, curtains on short rods extend just over the ends of a bank of windows and a sliding door. The patterned curtain panels frame and soften the bank of windows without detracting from the views beyond.

Curtain Ideas for Sliding Doors

Keep traffic flowing with sliding glass door curtain ideas that accommodate comings and goings. Use a curtain rod that is long enough to extend beyond your sliding door. This way curtains remain out of the way and don't impede traffic. In this dining room, a soft shade of blue adds interest to an otherwise neutral color scheme.

Curtains for Sliding Doors and Windows

Sliding doors are often paired with windows. Rather than try to come up with a window treatment idea for both, dress them as one. Extend a drapery rod across the entire bank and pick curtains that suit your style—it's that easy! Just make sure you have enough fabric to allow the curtains to close completely.

Blinds and Shades for Sliding Doors

For tailored sliding door window treatments, consider blinds or shades. Vertical blinds have wide metal or plastic slats that hang down from a top rail. When closed, they lie flat against the window and overlap slightly to block the light. You can rotate the slats to open them partially or fully, and you can slide the slats all to one side of the door to get them out of the way. There are also sliding door shades made from natural or synthetic panels that hang flat, usually in several overlapping segments. Each panel hangs from its own track, so when you draw them open, they stack neatly. With different weaves, materials, and textures available, these shades can be transparent or opaque for varying levels of light control. Finally, there are cellular shades with wide vertical pleats like an accordion that you can pull open or closed (or gather in the middle) as needed.

Double Up Window Treatments

To cover the broad expanse of sliding doors, look for long, sturdy rods at home centers, and mount the brackets across the top of the doors at even intervals. Be sure to screw them into wall studs for stability. Then hang curtains using easy-slide rings or a cord system that lets you draw them open and closed from one side. If you buy a rod that is longer than your door is wide, you'll have room to push the curtains completely off to the side, to leave the door fully uncovered.

If your sliding door receives harsh light, you might want to purchase lined curtains, which will block the sun's rays. For a less-than-perfect outdoor view, install a double set of curtains, and use filtering sheers (which you can leave closed) under solid panels. For a finishing touch, cover the top of the curtains and rod with a valance or cornice mounted high enough to clear the door.

Formal Sliding Door Window Treatments

Draperies for sliding glass doors can enhance the formal feel of a room. Here, black-and-white striped draperies bookend black sliding doors. An oversize white cornice trimmed in black runs from wall to wall, crowning the living room with dramatic glamour.

Sliding Door Shutters

Already wildly popular as window treatments, plantation shutters are available to cover sliding doors, as well. Some slide open and closed on a track similar to the track for the door, and some are hinged to swing open and shut. Narrow or wide louvers—it's your choice—rotate open and closed to let you control the view and light.

Blackout Curtains for Sliding Glass Doors

If you have sliding glass doors in your media room or bedroom, look for blackout curtains or blinds, which will block all the light from the large windows and provide plenty of privacy. Another option is to line drapes you love with blackout material, so you don't have to compromise on aesthetics when dressing your glass doors.

Window Treatments That Preserve Light

Sliding doors are favored for the views and access to outdoor spaces. With that in mind, finding the right sliding glass door curtain ideas can be tricky, and simplicity is often the best bet. A simple pair of sheer panels or opaque curtains will filter light while still providing privacy. Curtains hung on rings slide open with ease to keep the door accessible.

Patterned Sliding Door Window Treatments

Sliding doors typically commandeer a good chunk of wall space, leaving less room for artwork and color. Reclaim some of that lost opportunity with patterned sliding door curtains. In this dining room, bold striped curtains command attention while staying in step with the room's relaxed mood.

Privacy Sheers

Sheer curtains increase privacy in a room without impacting the amount of sunlight. Privacy sheers are also one of the least expensive window treatments for sliding glass doors, especially if you can get them in a standard size.

Custom Drapes for Sliding Glass Doors

Custom drapes are a smart option for sliding glass doors, as you can customize them to the exact size you need, which is a benefit given how much size variability there is with sliding doors and the space around them. Choose a fade-resistant fabric in a print or fabric you love to make the investment worth it.

Light-Filtering Curtains

A curtain in a large-weave fabric, such as linen, will filter the amount of light that comes in, which can be important in a bright room like a sunroom. Compared to privacy sheers, light-filtering curtains filter more light but limit your ability to see out of the windows.

Decorative Curtains

Pulled back with tassels, these dramatic pleated curtains soften the square lines of the sliding doors and complement the formality of the sitting room. They’re likely rarely untied, but there’s ample fabric to do so if desired.

Valances for Sliding Glass Doors

Valances add personality and style to sliding glass doors, but it's essential to ensure you have space for them before installation. They need to be mounted high enough to walk under and wide enough to house curtains on either side of the doors.

Shades or Blinds for Sliding Glass Doors

Shades are a practical window treatment idea for sliding glass doors, as their position doesn’t impact your ability to open and close the doors. Blinds also allow easy control over the amount of light and privacy in the room. Plus, blinds are a modern window treatment solution that suits both traditional and contemporary designs.

Specialty Sliding Door Window Treatments

All of the sliding door window treatments mentioned offer light and privacy control as well as energy benefits. For ease of maintenance, there are also window treatments that are part of the sliding door itself. Sandwiched between the panes of glass, narrow blinds or cellular shades raise and lower and tilt at the flip of a switch. Because they are sealed into the door, they typically won't get dirty, break, tear, or need dusting. Another device for light control and energy savings is to add a glare-controlling window film to the sliding door's glass. This can be done in conjunction with another decorative dressing, or—if you don't get direct light and have no privacy concerns—it can be the only sliding-door treatment.