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French doors are a tasteful décor solution and an elegant idea for every interior.

In many cases, they look beautiful enough not to be covered, but there are a number of window treatments for French doors that can boost their impact, make them colorful, balance light access, and ensure the privacy you and your family need.

The best part of this process is the scope of available French door window treatments, from frosted designs to tall curtains, colorful fabrics, and Roman shades which can make your house more lovable.

The choice of French door curtains will depend mostly on whether you’ve chosen sliding doors or you’ve opted for the architecturally more interesting and cohesive inwards-opening principle.

Window-Treatments-For-French-Doors9 Window Treatments For French DoorsImage source: Fiona Andrews Interiors Limited

When selecting the ideal window coverings for French doors, consider the need for privacy, natural light access, and color and décor scheme you’ve already implemented.

Finally, consider your budget, and make sure your French door coverings are not only practical, but beautiful as well.

How to choose the best curtains for French doors?

Window-Treatments-For-French-Doors10 Window Treatments For French DoorsImage source: Interiors by Myriam, LLC

The most popular choice for French doors are tab-top curtains, which are simple to attach on the window’s rod, and don’t require elegant rings and accessories which could make the doors look overwhelming.

On top of that, they are exceedingly simple to make, and won’t require any expensive purchase.

The wide range of attractive options will be just as challenging as it is beneficial.

If you’re lucky enough to have swinging instead of sliding doors, the options will narrow down to long curtains and full draperies, while in the opposite case you would have to agree on vertical French door blinds which are not that easy to install.

If you want them to function properly, you will have to install them in outside the window to make sure they can be operated with, and mount them completely each time you want to open the window and use it.

Therefore, consider the manner and direction in which your doors open and close, and choose treatments only after you’ve confirmed they can be practical.

Overall, you will have to choose between French doors that open inwards and ones that open outwards, and while some of you this is not such an important decision, our covering tips will help you understand why this is the most important decision.

Employ your creativity

When thinking of window covering, the first ideas that come to our mind are curtains, drapes, shutters, and blinds, but our options go way beyond such classic choices.

Many creative homeowners around the world decided to apply their art on the glass directly, and created the breathtaking beveled-style doors which look lovely even without expensive blinds and fabrics.

Double-rod sheers and patterned curtains

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The original concept for covering French doors is to install two rods (one on the top and one on the bottom) and spread a cute, patterned sheer between them.

Stretch the sheer equally on both rods and gather it in the middle ensuring all folds is soft and even.

Sheers have more to offer than simple aesthetics – they are your most affordable option to control and filter the amount of light coming inside, and to ensure privacy within seconds.

You can even go further but choosing a matching ribbon to tie in the middle of the curtain, and give your windows the traditional sand clock look.

Simple shutters and common shades for French doors

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Some homeowners prefer to stay on the safe side, and hand a simple pair of shutters that can be pulled down in the evening, or pulled back up in the morning.

The most popular option here is to opt for tiered Roman shades, which are easy to maintain and can be replaced whenever your room needs some refreshment.

Cellular shades

Window-Treatments-For-French-Doors2 Window Treatments For French DoorsImage source: Claudia Martin, ASID

If you decided to focus on the light-filtering qualities of your window treatments, you should give cellular shades a try, because they will fit seamlessly on every type of French doors, and won’t disturb the function of their handles.

What is more, they come with accordion-type pleats which make them more energy efficient, and will be available in all colors and shades to suit whatever interior solution you’re trying to refresh.

They can cover the entire length of your window or half of it – retracting them will be enough to follow the movement of the sun, and invite just as much natural light as you need.

Pom-Pom sheer curtains

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Sheer curtains are a sophisticated window treatment idea which helps French doors blend within your interior, and fit their environment without too much effort.

The creative souls among you, however, can consider adding pom-poms, stamps, or even joie de vivre ribbons to make them more personal and catchy for your visitors.

Pooled curtains

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Who told you that good window treatment solutions start with hanging curtains? Curtains are indeed the simplest and most popular solution, but they shouldn’t necessarily be transparent and hung on tall rods to prevent light when necessary.

It is your game, and you get to change the rules – if necessary, install a decorative rod and hang plush and rich drapes on both sides of the door, or make the curtains stand out with cool patterns nobody else would think of.

Every experiment that covers the practical aspect of your windows will work.

Bewildered, beribboned, and bewitched

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There is a reason why most interior designers recommend fleecy organza ribbon for sheer curtains, and that’s the soft, cloud-like appearance they can ensure for your French doors.

For the best effect, we recommend white and pale blue combination, the same as summerish and seersucker inspired lines for a homey atmosphere.

Grand scale draperies

Window-Treatments-For-French-Doors3 Window Treatments For French DoorsImage source: Murdock Solon Architects

Drapery lovers are covered as well – their French doors can easily be made to look more elegant and visibly focal in any living room, as long as they know how to choose the right color, pattern, and material.

French door blinds

Window-Treatments-For-French-Doors4 Window Treatments For French DoorsImage source: Grace Dumalac Design

The same as on traditional doors, blinds for French doors make sense for filtering light and ensuring privacy.

The most attractive choices are wood, vinyl, metal, or even faux wood – if they don’t disturb the function of the doors’ handles, you’re free to consider them.

We would recommend them especially for rooms where blinds are already implemented and in settings where they are not likely to damage the door upon frequent opening.

DIY window treatments

Window-Treatments-For-French-Doors8 Window Treatments For French DoorsImage source: Gina Fitzsimmons ASID

The local store doesn’t offer the curtains you imagined for your French door? No worries about it, you can make them yourself! To start with, install an original rod (bamboo, copper, etc.), pick the right fabric, and design your own tab-top curtain.

Final thoughts

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Did you find the right solution for your French doors?

Our suggestions aimed to provide you with beautiful and practical solutions, which will allow your French doors to look like an inclusive part of your interior, and to bring just as much natural light inside as you need for a pleasant and homey atmosphere.

The more creative you get, the more attractive your windowing treatments will be, so give some of our ideas a try!

Few words of praise for French doors: a charming solution for an elegant home

Window-Treatments-For-French-Doors7 Window Treatments For French DoorsImage source: THINK architecture Inc.

French doors’ became famous in the early 17th century, when electric lights were still not invented, and it was only glass panels and creative coverings that helped families perform their normal activities.

At the same time, they were considered as a stylish solution that made rooms look airy and spacious, and which harmonized long and visually disconnected areas.

Therefore, French doors could be seen both as external and internal solutions, and their placement dictated the need to cover them – to be more precise, French doors were used uncovered to divide living rooms from dining spaces, or were decorated with heavy drapes to ensure privacy between the bedroom and the guest area.

Nowadays, the choice of available window covering is simply endless, and allows you to turn even the bravest of your ideas into reality.