You shouldn’t have to choose between privacy and natural light in your rooms!
It’s one of the most common questions a room designer/decorator will face – how do you design a window that gives privacy to the occupant of the room, while also allowing natural light to enter the room?
Do you have to sacrifice natural light to ensure privacy inside your room?
What window design solution can get you the optimal combination of privacy and natural light in your room?
That is what we will try to understand in this blog post.
Why you should read this post
Does the topic seem trivial to you?
Maybe you think this is something the room designer would be concerned with, not you.
Maybe you’ve decided to stick to whatever window setup you have now.
Here’s why you should read this post.
Imagine your living room is beside a busy street. You have covered the windows with thick curtains for privacy, but those block sunlight from entering the living room all day.
Or imagine that your bathroom window is beside the street. You clearly need fresh air and light entering your bathroom, but on the other hand, you also need complete privacy.
In this post, I will reveal to you the choices you have to optimise the situation in your favour in such situations.
Yes, it would finally be your room designer or your furniture maker who would be creating or procuring the products, BUT
You should know what products are there, and discuss those with your chosen design professional so they know what you want. As you will know from our post on interior design project timelines, your consultations with the designer are very important in ensuring that the final window treatment is in fact what you want and need.
That is why you should read this blog post.
How to judge the utility of different kinds of window covers
There are many kinds of covers, materials and designs that you can put on a window – curtains, drapes, blinds, shutters, and so on.
However
In choosing the window solution/cover, it will come down to a single issue: utility, or functionality.
- Would you prefer the solution to move up-down or left-right (sideways)?
- Will you be attaching the solution inside the window frame or outside?
- Are solutions that can be tilted open and closed more acceptable to you?
Some window treatments can turn your room dark instantly, by completely blocking sunlight.
Others allow you to control the amount of sunlight in your room. This can be useful if you are concerned about direct sunlight fading the glaze and colour on your furniture.
There are some solutions that let light enter your room, while not allowing people outside from getting a peek inside. Very useful, if you want to make your small room look bigger.
One important thing to consider:
The type of room: An office space may be looking for less sunlight. Some residential rooms, like living rooms and bedrooms, can do with more sunlight. On the other hand, bathrooms should always prioritise privacy.
Different window design solutions – a brief look
Let’s take a look at some of the options for window design that are available to you:
Window film
Window films are a great window treatment that balance privacy and natural light.
They can be installed fairly quickly, and add some decor to the window as well.
Some of these films look like etched or stained glass. Some will even make your window glass look pebbled.
Sheer shades
Sheer shades tend to be light and flexible, making them the perfect solution for someone that’s trying to allow in sunlight while maintaining privacy.
Some of these can be of very versatile fabrics, allowing you to easily adjust the amount of natural lighting. Often, you get a sheer layer to allow in light, while adjustable heavier layers are there to ensure privacy.
These shades are also available in many colours, allowing you to choose according to your overall room decor. The shade and opacity can also play a part in regulating the harshness of light coming into your room.
Wood shutters
Fully closed, wood shutters shut out all light. However, most shutters allow you to adjust the tilt, which can regulate the amount of light coming in – and conversely the visibility of your room to the outside world.
Typically, wood design can be customised to fit any space, and any shape of window.
Motorised shutters
It’s the same shutters as above, only these are motorised, and can be handled with the flick of a switch. It makes it very easy for you to regulate the light coming into your room based on the time of the day, your mood, and other factors.
Drapery panels
Drapery panels can be customised for any length and any shape of window.
If you lean more towards allowing in sunlight, pair drapes with sheer shades allows you to let in sunlight when you want to.
Designing your window to get privacy while allowing in sunlight – a final word
Having read this blog post, you know that heavy black curtains are not your only window treatment option for privacy; on the other hand, you don’t have to give up privacy as a cost for allowing sunlight in your room.
It’s a matter of knowing about various window design solutions available, knowing how to judge their effectiveness, and knowing where to get such designs made.
If you’re in Bangladesh, BTW, you can get in touch with our furniture design team to discuss window treatment solutions at your home.
