Window Treatments for Tricky Doors

Dark bamboo blinds allow for light control on each individual window, while draw draperies can be pulled across for total privacy at night.

The rods for these ample white drapes sit behind a cornice that matches the room's molding, creating a clean, crisp look. At night, when the drapes are drawn, the white wall of fabric will look as soothing as the daytime view.

Roman shades are a good choice for windows on doors because they're orderly and neat at any level. Pulled up to the top, these shades square up the top of this series of French doors. When unfurled to any length, the red-border stripe creates a window-within-a-window look for added interest.

Long, tall sheers loop gracefully from individual hooks hung high above the door and pool slightly on the floor, creating the look of curtains drawn back from a large window. Painting the millwork and the bottom of the door white to match the bookcases adds to the illusion.

Keeping window treatments high and wide is a good way to avoid interfering with the movement of French doors.

These pretty red-checked panels are merely for show, since they don't draw across the French doors. Even the curtain rods were kept to the width of the side windows.

For windows and doors that need to open and close, try starting the window treatments up at the ceiling line. These soft fabric shades can pull up -- entirely out of the way of the door and window frame.

Fabric shades that lower over the glass offer privacy and require relatively little fabric. Don't need privacy or light control? Valances in the same type of look will add style and color with even less fabric.

Here's a similar look using bamboo blinds. The advantage of this type of installation is that the treatments are attached to the door and won't impede opening or closing the doors.

Clearly, this bathroom has a view that's private enough to leave the windows uncovered. But the glass door on the right was fit with a modest covering of lace.

This look could be just as effective on a French door as on this Dutch door. A custom pull-down shade has a curl of character at the bottom, so when it's rolled up snug, it looks like a window valance.