Since there are so many to choose from, selecting the right window dressing for patio doors can be a little overwhelming.

To help you find the window treatment that’s right for you and your home, we’ve listed some popular design ideas. For each one, we’ve listed some blind, shutter, or curtain styles that will deliver the perfect look and function.

Quick answer: To choose the right window dressing for patio doors, think carefully about your needs. Decide on how much privacy and light control you need, how practical you need a window dressing to be, and how a window dressing will complement your existing interior design look. You’ll typically find blinds, curtains, and shutters that are ideal for your room, whatever your need.

Subtle Patio Door Window Treatments

Patio doors are a beautiful way to let light flood into your room – but because of their size, some window dressings options can be a little intrusive. This is especially true if you’re going for a minimal interior design theme in your space.

If you’re looking for a window treatment that doesn’t take up a lot of space and looks discreet when open, why not explore some of the following options:

  • Roller blinds take up very little space when fully open.
  • Vertical blinds gather at the sides of your doors in a neat stack.
  • Sheer curtains protect privacy while maintaining a light, airy look.
  • Pleated blinds stack very neatly into their discreet headrail.

Light-Blocking Patio Door Options

Although lots of light in a living space or kitchen often feels nice, there are times when it’s useful to block out external light to create a cosy atmosphere in your room.

If you’re looking for the ultimate in light control for your patio doors, the following options might be perfect for your home:

  • Lined curtains have an additional light-blocking layer and can comfortably cover the edges of your doors to prevent light from leaking in.
  • Pleated blinds can be made-to-measure to offer a full blackout and can be mounted in a discreet frame to ensure no light bleed around the edges.

Functional Window Treatments

Patio doors often see a lot of footfall in busy homes – especially since they’re often the most direct way to the garden, the washing line, to let the dog out, or generally let children wander between inside and out.

Because of this, lots of people need a window treatment that looks fantastic but is also practical and functional. If this sounds ideal for your home, the following options could work perfectly:

  • Fabric blinds can be designed to let people push through easily at any point – combining good looks with practicality.
  • Vertical blinds can be designed to stack at one or both sides of the door frame, making coming and going easy.
  • Bypass or bi-fold shutters are mounted on a discreet track in front of your glazed doors so they can slide back to allow easy access.
  • Pleated blinds can be mounted on each individual door and therefore don’t interfere with opening and closing at all.
ewindow treatment that are functionale
french door window dressings

Window Treatments for French Doors that Preserve Light

Finding the right balance between light and privacy with sliding glass doors can be difficult. If your patio double doors are overlooked by passers-by, a nearby road, or neighbours’ properties, it’s a good idea to find a window treatment that protects privacy without cutting down the natural light entering your room.

If this sounds like the perfect patio door solution for your home, explore some of the following options:

  • French door shutters have louvres that can be angled to keep the light flooding in and protect privacy at the same time.
  • A vertical blind can be adjusted so the light can enter your home, but the angle of the vanes still offers privacy control.
  • Sheer curtains hung across sliding doors will gently filter the light but provide a layer of privacy across the glass.
  • Venetian blinds have slats that can be angled to protect privacy but still let plenty of light into your space.

Patterned Sliding Door Window Treatments

If you’ve got an interior design look that you’re proud of in your home, you’ll be pleased to hear that many made-to-measure window treatments can be created to match colours, patterns or fabrics elsewhere in your space.

This is an especially popular idea for window dressings that don’t retract completely – so whether they’re open or closed, they’ll look perfectly at home in your beautifully designed room.

Popular styles include:

  • Roman blinds come in a huge range of patterned fabrics and colours, making it easy to match your room.
  • Vertical door blinds that have been made to measure to match your colour palette and patterns perfectly.
  • Curtains created using specialist fabrics that match furniture or colours in your room.

Ultimate Privacy for a Sliding Glass Door

Sometimes, it’s nice to be able to close the world off completely. While many window dressings will shut out the light effectively, there aren’t many that effectively make your patio doors disappear completely.

If you like the idea of completely transforming your room with a window dressing, we’ve got a unique approach that delivers this perfectly:

  • Solid panel shutters are made without louvres, giving a beautiful timeless look that shuts your windows or doors off completely. This offers absolute privacy control and transforms the look of your space.
sliding doors

Window dressings for Sliding Doors

Although we’ve talked about blinds for patio doors throughout this list, sliding patio doors come with a range of different requirements compared to French doors that open outward on a hinge.

This sliding opening method means blinds or shutters that are mounted directly to the doors just aren’t practical, as they would prevent one or more doors from opening. As such, window dressings that are mounted on a track are a perfect solution that won’t compromise how your doors operate.

Take a look at some of the most popular options for sliding patio doors:

  • Vertical blinds hang on a very neat rail in front of and above your sliding doors. This means they can operate completely independently of your doors – but can still be installed closely to look neat and tidy.
  • Bypass shutters are mounted on discreet rails in front of your sliding doors. Although the rail is minimal, it actually has two grooves, meaning each door slides independently of the other. This means they operate much like your sliding doors, giving access to either door.
  • Bi-fold shutters are also track mounted – but they fold as they open, stacking neatly at one or both sides of your sliding doors – taking up less room than bypass shutters.

Still not found the ideal window dressing for patio doors?

Don’t worry if you’re still not sure what the perfect window dressing would be for your room with patio doors. Often, it’s useful to see specific designs, patterns, fabrics, or materials before you make your choice.

If you’d like to hear more about any of the blinds or shutters we’ve mentioned here, why not get in touch with our design team? We’ll help you find the perfect window dressing for patio doors in your home!

blackout blinds
window shutters

Get in touch today!

Why not contact your local Shuttercraft?

Author Image

About the Author

Maddie Racher

Maddie is a creative and detail-driven Digital Marketing Executive with over two years of experience at Shuttercraft. With an eye for interior design and a love for home and lifestyle trends, Maddie plays a key role in shaping the brand’s voice across digital channels.

She leads on social media strategy, website content, blogs, email marketing and brand development, bringing a fresh, thoughtful approach to every piece of content. Maddie is passionate about ...

Recent Blog Posts

Can Shutters Be Repainted or Refurbished?

Can shutters be repainted or refurbished? We explore which shutter types can be updated, when it’s worth it, and when…

Full Height Bedroom Shutters

Plantation Shutters: Wood vs Composite

Choosing between wood and our composite plantation shutters? Discover the pros, cons and best rooms for each before you decide…

Full Height White Kitchen Shutters

Fresh Shutters Giving Back

Transform your home this Spring with exclusive Shuttercraft offers. Premium shutters, expert fitting, and timeless design, ends 31st May

How Window Shutters Help Keep Your Home Warm in Winter

Discover how Shuttercraft shutters help keep your home warm in winter by reducing heat loss, improving insulation, and adding timeless…

New Year, New Love, New Shutters

Transform your home this New Year with exclusive Shuttercraft offers. Premium shutters, expert fitting, and timeless design, ends 14 Feb

Black November Has Arrived: Exclusive Savings on Premium Shutters

Transform your home this Black November with exclusive Shuttercraft offers. Premium shutters, expert fitting, and timeless design, ends 30 Nov

Are Shutters Suitable for Small Windows?

Wondering if shutters work on small windows? Discover how made-to-measure shutters add style, privacy, and light control to even the…

Keeping Your Home Cool: How Shutters Help in Summer

Discover how shutters help keep your home cool in summer with style, insulation, and smart light control. Perfect for comfort…

How Much Do Bay Window Shutters Cost?

Find out how much bay window shutters cost, what affects the price, and why they’re a stylish, long-term investment for…

Are Shutters Worth the Investment?

If you're considering upgrading your window dressings, you may have found yourself asking, “Are window shutters worth it?” With a…

Choosing the Best Material for Shutters

When choosing internal shutters, the material you select is just as important as the aesthetics. Your choice will influence not…

Window Shutters Explained: How They Work

Learn how window shutters work, their practical benefits, and how they can elevate your home's style, comfort, energy efficiency and…

Do Plantation Shutters Provide a Blackout Effect?

Find out if plantation shutters offer a true blackout effect, how they compare to other options, and tips to maximise…

Modern bedroom with white window shutters showing how light and insulation can be controlled

The Insulation Benefits of Window Shutters

If you’re looking to enhance insulation, shutters are a great choice. Let’s take a closer look at how shutters help…

Cleaning white shutters with a microfibre cloth

The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Window Shutters

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to clean shutters, including the best…

Conservatory Guide: Maximise Light and Privacy With Blinds and Shutters

In this guide, we'll take an in-depth look at what a diverse range of window coverings can bring to a…

How Much Do Shutters Cost in 2026? The Price Guide

Shutters are an extremely valuable addition to any home, providing privacy as well as optimum light, heat, and temperature control.…

10 Stunning Indoor Shutter Ideas to Instantly Enhance Your Property

Whether your home features a modern or traditional design, shutters add a stylish touch that enhances both its interior and…

Plantation Shutters: 5 Key Benefits That Elevate Your Home

Plantation shutters, often referred to as window shutters or shutter blinds, are a timeless and versatile window treatment that offers…

Café Style Shutters: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

Café style shutters are one of the most popular types of window treatments on the market as they are an…

20 Boho Bathroom Décor Ideas to Transform Your Space

The bohemian, or boho, aesthetic is one of the most popular modern interior design styles, with many homeowners adopting this…

TikTok-Inspired Home Design: The 5 Biggest Trends Right Now

TikTok isn’t just a place where people watch entertaining videos, from viral dances to pop-culture moments, it’s where many go…

Top 5 Home Improvement Trends That Will Transform Your Space in 2025

As the new year begins, many people are turning their attention to freshening up their homes for the year ahead.…

Are Shutters Energy Efficient?

Shutters aren’t only attractive and highly functional window treatments, they are also known for their energy efficient capabilities. As a…

Ultimate Guide: Farmhouse Bathroom Décor Inspiration

Farmhouse bathrooms have become extremely popular in recent years, with homeowners flocking to adopt simplistic, naturalistic, and rustic tones to…

The Ultimate Plantation Shutters Guide: Everything You Need to Know

When exploring new window dressings for your home, it’s important to consider plantation shutters. Not only do they provide a…

Image of a bedroom with shutters on the windows.

Can Shutters Reduce Noise – Peaceful living

Your home is your inner sanctuary away from the outside world. Depending on where you live, external noise can sometimes…

25 Bright and Modern Master Bedroom Design Ideas

Are you wanting to transform your master bedroom? Perhaps you’re looking to bring a different feel to the oasis of…

10 Top Tips for A Sustainable Home In 2024

In this guide, we’ll walk you through our 10 top tips for making your home more sustainable

30 Modern Living Room Ideas That Will Transform Your Space

Your living room is the heart of your home. It is likely where you spend most of your time relaxing,…

alternatives to blinds white portchester shutters in kitchen

Alternatives to Blinds: 8 Stylish Window Covering Options

If you're looking for alternatives to blinds, it's easy to assume that curtains and shutters are your only choices.

White wooden shutter blinds in a period bedroom

Our Guide to White Wooden Shutter Blinds

White wooden shutter blinds are one of the most timeless and versatile window treatments available for homes in the UK.

perfect shutters

Perfect Shutters: How to Make Your Home Look Magnificent

With so many different shutter types to choose from, finding the perfect shutters for your home can take some time.

White Shuttercraft Bay Window Living Room

Bay Window Covering Ideas to Suit Every Style of Home

Our stylish bay window covering ideas for every type of home. Explore shutters, blinds and curtain inspiration to improve light,…