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Whether you’re looking for bathroom window ideas because you're redesigning and decorating your space from scratch, or if you simply want to freshen things up, you're in the right place. Choosing new and modern bathroom window treatments is a quick and effortless way to inject style into your bathroom space, all the while preserving the privacy that is key to this area of the house.
Here's our pick of the best window dressing ideas. Find more window treatment ideas in our dedicated hub, and check out more bathroom ideas in our inspiring gallery too.
What can I put on my bathroom window for privacy?
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Most homes will have frosted glazing for privacy so a window treatment tends to be chosen to bring colour or pattern into the room.It also adds a feeling of warmth and gives the perfect finishing touch to your décor.
What window coverings are best for bathrooms?
There are endless options available in a variety of fabrics, designs, patterns, prints and colours as well as the different types of window dressing.
Roller and Venetian blinds are the most popular as they are easy to install and cost effective. They are also hardwearing with clean, simple lines that sit flush against the window. Made to measure will create the perfect fit and many companies offer a free measuring service.
Window shutters are also becoming increasingly popular, as they give full coverage and complete privacy as well as great light control with easily adjustable louvers of varying sizes. Some fabrics are specially designed for bathroom use, withstanding moisture, heat and humidity to prevent the appearance of mould and mildew.
Where extra privacy is needed however, window film that can be applied straight on to the glass and simply removed and swapped for another frosted film design when you fancy a change.
1. Frame an arched window with shutters
Period properties often come with unusual and interesting shaped windows and it can be difficult to know how to dress them. This bathroom has a large arched feature window, which is perfectly finished with two panels of wooden shutters in a Rustic Grey stain. Available from Apollo Blinds (opens in new tab), they have 63mm louvres with nickel hinges and measure W100cm x D150cm. Prices start from £397 per sq m and they can be made to fit almost any size and shape of window.
(Image credit: Apollo Blinds)
2. Customise privacy and shading
With a top down, bottom up Duoshade Zinc pleated polyester thermal blind (opens in new tab) from Blinds 2 Go, you decide where you want the opened blind to sit. This made to measure design is energy saving too, as the outward facing fabric is white for improved solar protection. The honeycomb fabric is made from cells coated on the inside with reflective aluminium and it’s also a blackout design for complete privacy. Prices start from £84.50 for W95cm x D130cm.
(Image credit: Blinds2Go)
3. Mix things up with a fabric changer
If you know you like to change your window dressings more regularly than most, then a fabric changer system is for you. Its hook on/hook off design allows you to quickly and easily swap the blind for another pattern, print or colour when you fancy a quick room refresh. This Tranquillity Rust blackout fabric (opens in new tab) from Bloc Blinds is shown on a standard roller blind with built-in fabric changer option for instant fabric updates. It costs from £78 for W101cm x D101cm and also comes with a lifetime guarantee on the barrel system.
(Image credit: Bloc Blinds)
4. Add a pop of colour
Give a contemporary or classic scheme a splash of colour with a DIY shutter that features a bold framed design. Available as café style, tier-on-tier or full height, choose from standard paints and finishes or custom colours, with prices from £166 per sq m at California Shutters (opens in new tab). You can also select waterproof vinyl as well as a wood hybrid, smooth or grained hardwood. This full height style shown lets you control the light, warmth and privacy as well as adding soundproofing and security, too.
(Image credit: California Shutters)
5. Choose Roman blinds for an elegant finish
We may not think of using Roman blinds in the bathroom but so long as there’s plenty of ventilation with an opening window and extractor fan, it can create a classy look. This Mineral Aqua design is from Hillarys’ Romans collection (opens in new tab) and costs from £138 for W65cm x D75cm. Find out more about Roman blinds in our guide.
(Image credit: Hillarys)
6. Design your own frosted film
Window film is a fantastic way to achieve instant privacy on clear glazing as well as giving the bathroom a focal point with etched frosted designs. The Window Film Company (opens in new tab) offers reflective films to combat heat, specialist UV films to guard against fading, frosted window films and solid vinyls with prices from £30 for W75.8cm x D60cm. Their frosted patterns give the appearance of acid-etched or sand-blasted glass and allow a good level of natural light through. Each order is cut to your exact measurements and you choose where you want the design.
(Image credit: The Window Film Company )
7. Use Venetian blinds for Velux windows
Ideal for loft conversions where the en suite often comes with the challenge of sloping ceiings, Velux Venetian blinds (opens in new tab) are the perfect choice for Velux Integra® roof windows. Priced from £76, they are moisture resistant so are suitable for humid rooms and offer privacy, light control and cordless operation. There are nine colours to choose from including Midnight Blue, Charcoal and White with 35mm wide lacquered aluminium slats.
(Image credit: Velux)
8. Go for a minimal style with a roller blind
One of the easiest options is a roller blind and the heat efficiency and moisture resistant properties of Duette® blinds (opens in new tab) make them an ideal choice for the bathroom. Their designs can be cut to suit almost every shape of window with a made-to-measure service that also includes an in-home design consultation, measure and fit. Available in over 300 colour, texture and transparency options, prices start from £150 for W40cm x D60cm.
(Image credit: Duette)
9. Go halfway with wooden shutters
Many city apartments and period properties have bathrooms on the ground floor or facing the street, which can leave you rather exposed if the window isn’t frosted. For the best of both worlds, offering privacy and plenty of natural light, cover just half the window with shutters. Café designs from Shutterly Fabulous (opens in new tab) are a half-height plantation style, which cost from £299 per sq m. Choose their waterproof polyvinyl for maximum durability.
(Image credit: Shutterly Fabulous )
10. Cover floor to ceiling windows
Go large with luxury charcoal faux silk textured blackout roller blinds from English Blinds (opens in new tab) when you need coverage for floor-to-ceiling windows. The custom-made Bartlett Basque design is made to measure for the perfect fit and cost from £47.31 for W40cm x D60cm.
(Image credit: English Blinds)
11. Leave the window undressed in a small bathroom
Assuming you're not overlooked – and this is often the case in a loft bathroom, for example, leaving the window undressed can be very practical and increase the feeling of space in the room.
Find more loft conversion ideas in our design gallery.
(Image credit: The Albion Bath Company)
Looking for more bathroom inspiration?
- How to pick the right sized tiles for a small bathroom
- Bathroom storage ideas
- Bathroom lighting ideas
FAQs
What is the best cover for bathroom windows? ›
What is a good window covering for a bathroom? Shutters and Venetian blinds made from water-resistant materials such as uPVC and polyvinyl are good window coverings for a bathroom as they offer privacy and flexibility over lighting, but equally will not be damaged by moisture and are easy to clean.
How do you keep a bathroom with no windows fresh? ›- Install an extractor fan. Having an extractor fan will help clear any build-up of moisture in the room. ...
- Keep the bathroom clean and clutter free. ...
- Reflective surfaces. ...
- Wipe away water droplets. ...
- Use glass bathroom fittings. ...
- Add bathroom plants. ...
- Choose a light colour scheme.
Absolutely. Hanging curtains in a bathroom can add privacy and bring the kind of softness that turns a functional space into a relaxing sanctuary. With the right fabric choice and proper ventilation, bathroom window treatments can be both gorgeous and practical.
How can I cover my windows for privacy without blocking the light? ›Sheer curtains offer privacy without blocking light. Some window coverings provide privacy without blocking the light coming into the home. Lightweight or sheer fabrics, pleated shades, shade screens, mini blinds and window films offer privacy while still allowing some natural light to enter the room.
Should a bathroom window have blinds? ›Blinds or shutters are the most practical option for bathrooms. They offer privacy control, durability against the bathroom's damp environment, and they look good too. Here's how to choose the right type of blind. Because the bathroom is a wet, humid area practicality should be a priority.
What is best for bathroom curtains or blinds? ›Thinner curtains are also less prone to develop mold and mildew and they're also far easier to machine wash. If you're looking for the most practical option for the bathroom then blinds are without a doubt the best choice.
Which curtains are best for bathroom? ›In most cases a quick-drying, machine washable material such as linen, cotton or voile will be the best options, though for large bathroom ideas, that have baths rather than showers, heavier materials can be used, so long as the moisture and humidity levels in the room are kept to a minimum.
How do I keep mold out of my bathroom without a vent? ›If you do not have an exhaust fan in your bathroom or it is not controlling the humidity enough to stop mold growth, a dehumidifier can be a great solution. This can be a part of your home air conditioning system or you can purchase a portable dehumidifier for your bathroom to control the level of moisture in the air.
How do I keep my bathroom looking new? ›- Switch to touchless fixtures. ...
- Swap out bath mats. ...
- Install a bidet. ...
- Protect your toothbrush. ...
- Use automatic toilet cleaners. ...
- Remove excess moisture. ...
- Sanitize your shower curtain. ...
- Keep cleaning products nearby.
- Install a recirculating fan in a half-bath. This type of bath fan doesn't exhaust air to the exterior. ...
- Reduce noise with an inline fan. ...
- Vent under the floor to get outside. ...
- Build a soffit to hide ductwork. ...
- Install commercial ductwork.
What should you not do with curtains? ›
- Hanging your curtain too low. This is one of the most common mistakes I see pretty much everywhere. People hang their curtain too low. ...
- Hang Wider Than the Frame.
- Curtains are too short.
- Half curtains.
- Curtains too Thin.
- The Drapery style or type of pleats.
- Blinds. Blinds are a good alternative to curtains and can look more modern. ...
- Roman Shades. These shades are a chic and neat way to cover your windows. ...
- Faux Stained Glass. ...
- Valences. ...
- Privacy Screen. ...
- Plants. ...
- Glass Bottles. ...
- Frosted Glass.
Since reaching their peak during the Victorian era, window valances have survived through many generations of interior design. Window valances are perfect for shading the interior of a room and framing your windows without blocking all of the natural light.
How do you cover a window cheaply? ›Polyester roller blinds are a shade cheaper than either vinyl or PVC ones; the latter two being waterproof while the former are not. This means that for most rooms, polyester roller blinds will be the lowest cost option.
What to put on windows for privacy when decorating? ›Tempscreen in white or semi clear. Ideal product for shop-fitting companies, professional tradesman and the keen DIYer. With TempScreen, there is no need for scruffy, whitewash-smeared windows to hide building and decorating work during refurbishment.
What kind of curtains let light in but provide privacy? ›Sheer curtains and shades allow plenty of glowing, natural light into your space, while still maintaining some degree of privacy. Light colors (esp neutral white) and lighter fabrics are the best options for a sheer curtain lighting effect.
What can I put on my windows so I can see out but no one can see in Contra Vision White 24 7 concealed vision? ›You can apply Contra Vision perforated window film (or Contra Vision Mirror View) to your windows to provide privacy. These products still allow light into your home and maintain a clear view-out for occupants inside.
What can I have instead of net curtains? ›- Vertical blinds. Vertical blinds offer great control for light and privacy and are therefore a stylish alternatives to net curtains. ...
- Vision blinds. ...
- Venetian blinds. ...
- Combine blinds and curtains. ...
- Made to measure Plantation Shutters.
' Frosted glass is the mostly commonly used obscure glass type in bathrooms. Decorative film and stained glass are also popular, though this might be seen in other rooms in the house.
Should flat blinds be up or down for privacy? ›Turn your blinds up. This direction is better for improved privacy too, as minimized gaps between the slats don't allow curious passersby to view the inside of the house. To let in a small amount of natural light, it's best to turn your blinds down and close them.
Should bathroom window be open or closed? ›
Whether you have an extractor fan or not, if you have a window in your bathroom, leave it open during and after showering to let out steam and assist with ventilation.
Which is more classy curtains or blinds? ›Curtains tend to be more traditional and classy and they are a great way to add a decorative element to your room. When it comes to the elephant in the room, generally blinds are more cost-effective than curtains. Often it boils down to personal preference and a blend of both blinds and curtains can be best.
What are the best blinds for a modern bathroom? ›- Standard Roller blinds. Roller blinds are a great choice for a bathroom. ...
- PVC Roller blinds. You can't get much more practical than a PVC Roller blind. ...
- Wooden blinds. ...
- Vertical blinds. ...
- Roman blinds.
Polyester fabrics are moisture-resistant and should not get mouldy when exposed to water however they are not fully waterproof. For steamy bathrooms, we would recommend roller blinds made from PVC material. These blinds are fully waterproof so they can be placed in areas near the shower or bathtub.
What length should bathroom curtains be? ›The standard shower curtain size is 72 x 72 inches. Standard shower curtain length extends to the floor and covers the tub. Of course, if you have a custom shower, standard curtain panel sizes may not be the right fit for your shower.
How high should bathroom curtains be? ›In order for your bathroom to look right aesthetically, your shower curtain should be hung at the proper height. The average curtain should hang 75 to 77 inches off the ground.
What kills bathroom mold the best? ›Combine 1 part bleach with 2 parts water in a spray bottle and spritz the affected area. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes. The mold should start to fade away on its own, but if areas of stubborn mold remain, use a coarse brush (for larger areas) or old toothbrush (for smaller areas) to scrub the mold away.
Does vinegar prevent bathroom mold? ›Mild white vinegar is a brilliant mould deterrent. Its acidity makes it inhospitable for mould to grow, and vinegar can clean up to 82% of mould species. Simply spray the vinegar solution onto the affected areas and wipe the surface with warm water after an hour.
Does leaving bathroom fan on prevent mold? ›Mold likes moisture. Keep bathroom mold out of your home with a properly installed bathroom fan. Turn it on while showering and bathing and leave it on until all the moisture has been taken outside.
How can I make my bathroom look expensive? ›Use White for Elegant Simplicity. White cabinets and countertops create the backdrop for a simple and elegant bathroom. Use a light neutral paint color and white bath linens to create a high-end hotel bathroom style. A casual bathroom can look more expensive if you splurge on quality white towels and rugs.
What makes a bathroom timeless? ›
Tips for Creating a Classic and Timeless Bathroom
Avoid trends and bold colors. Get inspired by nature and use natural elements in your design. For example, if you select wallpaper, opt for grasscloth. Consider faux bamboo accent or rattan for a traditional aspect.
- Open a window. First things first, open a window to let fresh air flow into your space! ...
- Change your air filter. ...
- Turn on a fan. ...
- Use an air purifier.
- Reduce humidity by taking cool showers.
- Remove damp towels and mats.
- Run a dehumidifier or space heater after showering.
- Run an air purifier to reduce mold spores and odors.
- Manually dry the shower and mirror after use.
Use more than one fan because you need some air blowing into your home and some air blowing out. Use an odd number of fans. The majority of your fans should blow into your home while the minority blow outward. This will create a slight positive pressure inside your home that will discourage bugs from entering.
What kind of curtains are in style now? ›Curtain materials like organic cotton, bamboo and recycled fabrics are becoming increasingly popular choices for window treatments. Not only are these materials better for the environment, but they also offer a natural, organic feel to a space.
Should curtains almost touch the floor? ›Whether or not you should puddle the curtains at the bottom is really a matter of personal preference, but for the most aesthetically pleasing and appropriate look, curtains should run to the floor. If you choose to puddle, you'll want at least 3-4 inches of fabric or so to make the puddling appear deliberate.
Should you shut all curtains at night? ›— Closing your curtains won't just give you more privacy at night, a new study finds it can also protect your heart while you sleep! Researchers from Northwestern University found that even a small amount of light exposure while sleeping increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
How do you camouflage a bathroom window? ›- Frosted Window Tinting. One of the best ways to maintain your bathroom privacy is frosted window tinting. ...
- Roman Shades. ...
- Wooden Shutters. ...
- Bathroom Window Curtains. ...
- Privacy Film. ...
- Sheer Curtains. ...
- Double-sided Mirror Window Film. ...
- Hang A Piece of Art Over Your Window.
The draperies of today definitely don't look like the giant balloon swags of the 80's or the lacy country curtains of the 60's. Honestly, though, most drapery panel styles are pretty darn timeless – it's really more that fabric tastes change as trends change.
What are the three types of valance? ›- Gathered valance – This is a traditional valance made with excess fabric that is bunched, or gathered, at the top.
- Scarf valance – Scarf valances look like they sound. ...
- Straight valance – Straight valances are the epitome of simplicity when it comes to window treatments.
Are drapery panels out of style? ›
Are they still in style? Just about everyone agrees that curtains are still in style, but not just because they are useful and affordable. According to Livingetc, curtains add texture and coziness to a space, something other window coverings like blinds and shutters cannot do.
Are valances on beds old fashioned? ›Valance sheets previously had a stereotype of being a bit old-fashioned. But that's not the case anymore. There are numerous interior trends that allow you a chance to play with colour and print, making them easy to work into your décor.
Does privacy window film work in bathroom? ›Window coverings for bathroom privacy
The best choice for privacy in your bathroom is Frostbrite frosted film. Designed to give glazing the appearance of acid etched or sandblasted glass, Frostbrite will give your windows a beautiful, contemporary new look while also blocking the view from both sides.
Bathrooms are full of water and steam, but you don't have to worry about your window film getting damaged by all that moisture. Window film is extremely durable and will not deteriorate due to humidity, mold, or mildew. Window film is also extremely easy to clean.
Does window film provide privacy at night? ›At night, the window film will block about 95% of the light to give you a high level of privacy. During daylight hours, any ambient light will reflect the mirror film's surface, making it impossible to see inside. Yet, at the same time, you will be able to see outside.
How do you make window treatments look expensive? ›- Hang them high—and wide. Mount your curtain hardware as close to the ceiling as possible for a high-end look. ...
- Use statement hardware. Upgrade basic panels by adding thicker, more substantial hardware to your window treatments. ...
- Weigh them down. ...
- Train them.
- Blackout Curtains.
- Shades or Blinds.
- Privacy Window Film.
The lifespan of window film depends greatly on its quality and the materials used in its manufacture. Most window films last somewhere between 10 to 20 years. However, this time can be longer or shorter depending on the amount of stress put on the film.
Can you see through frosted glass in bathroom? ›Can you see through Frosted Glass? You can't see through frosted glass in the same way you can see through clear glass. It is designed to obscure the view. However, it won't completely block your view either.