Sometimes you just need a little extra privacy for your front door and sidelights. This can be especially true for people with large windows on their front door or who live on a busy street. 


You want to be able to use your door without a window treatment getting in your way or constantly hitting your door as you close it, so here are our top custom window treatment ideas for your doors and sidelights. 

Some Things to Consider First

Before we get into our favorite treatments, there are a few things you should consider. The first is door handle clearance. You might have handles that could get in the way of operating your window treatment, particularly lever style handles. The best window treatment is one that is shallow and fits comfortably between the door and the handle; otherwise you could end up damaging your treatment!

The second are hold down brackets. Some of the window treatments may swing when lowered as you open and close your door. One example of a treatment that does this are blinds. A hold down bracket will keep the bottom of your window treatment in place.

One other thing to consider is the material of your door. Installing into a wood door is simple, however, installation on a steel door is a bit trickier. In this case, you may want to consider a magnetic window treatment, such as magnetic blinds. 

Finally, it is important to understand that custom is far better for this type of window treatment. Doors and their windows, as well as sidelights, vary in size. Having a treatment custom made to fit your window will ensure that it doesn’t get in the way of your door handles or snag on people’s coats as they come in your door. Avoiding these instances will also help increase the longevity of your window treatment. 

Blinds

Wood and faux wood blinds are one of the most popular options for many great reasons. The slatted design allows for full privacy and light control. Blinds also come in a variety of colors or stains to match your existing decor. For doors, opt for one inch slats to clear the door handles as well as hold down brackets to keep the treatment from swinging and hitting your door. 

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are a popular option for those who also want energy savings. Don’t worry, these aren’t the cellular shades from your grandmother’s home! Today’s options are sleek and stylish and have many color options. The pocketed design traps hot and cold air, keeping the temperature in your home more even throughout the year. Opt for ones that have a slim fit against the door for handle clearance; this may mean single or double layer pockets instead of triple layer ones. For this treatment, we recommend top down bottom up for more light filtering control and to keep your treatment from swinging around. 

Roman Shades

This chic fabric shade has been around since the Roman Empire, hence the name. Today’s roman shades have evolved since their centuries old ancestors, giving you structure and light filtering or blocking. This classic never goes out of style! What makes these treatments nice is that they rarely get in the way of door handles. If you need additional privacy or light blocking, you can opt for additional linings. You can also opt for a more tailored flat shade for a modern and sleek design (or to keep it out of the way of lever handles), or one that is more relaxed for a bit of flair. Either way, you can’t go wrong! 

Roller Shades

Slim roller shades offer a modern take on fabric treatments. They also fit well behind door handles. There is a near infinite choice in patterns and colors to match any door, allowing you to create a neutral backdrop or make a statement. For more texture, you might consider a woven wood roller shade. 

Interior Shutters

A great option for sidelight windows are interior shutters. These come in both wood and faux wood options as well as many different colors and stains. Just like blinds, the slatted design gives you full privacy and light filtering control. There are also many different control options, such as being able to operate each half of the slats independently, so you can keep the bottom closed and the top open for privacy with some light filtering!

Covering Specialty or Story Windows

Your front door could have a story or arch window above it. While it may not be necessary to cover these for privacy, sometimes you just want to filter the light a bit more in these windows. In this case, you can opt for cellular arches, which fan into a semi-circle, or wood arches, which create a sunburst shutter look. 

If you are looking for sliding door options, check out our popular blog with our top stylish window treatment ideas for sliding glass doors!

Help from the Pros

Our experts are here to help you find the perfect fit for your sidelights and doors! From measuring, to selecting the perfect window treatment type and material, to installation, you can rest assured that you’ll have a window treatment that you love for many years to come. Schedule your free in-home consultation and quote now and we’ll bring the showroom to you!