I’ve never been a fan of covering the windows on both sides of a door, but lately I’ve been considering adding curtains to our foyer. Besides the option of adding privacy if needed, I think it might help to visually “fill” this space.
I have no definite plans yet, but I’ve been seeing (and “pinning”) this look more and more often:
House to Your Home via CasaSugar
And, they can work other places in your home besides the front door:
What do you think? Are you a fan of this look?
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Huge fan! I have them in my dining room on the doorway leading into my living room. Really helps bring in fabric to a room where it can be a challenge to warm up! M.
I am now…..love them!
Hi Emily, I think ceiling to floor panels will look great in your entrance! What a statement and a chance to add pattern there…hey if you can’t experiment in your house, you’ll never know!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Very versatile look! Functional and decorative!!!
I’ve been thinking of doing the same thing for my sidelights. We just had our foyer painted and I took the window coverings down and was thinking of putting up either some painted/lattice stenciled panels to cover just the windows or long curtain panels. I see that most of the pics in your post have one curtain rod all the way across. I was thinking of a small rod above each window.
Absolutely! I think they will look amazing around your front door! Can’t wait to see what you come up with;)
Emily, I cringed when you first mentioned covering the windows … all I remember is when I was growing up those little sheer panels that were stuck in on tension rods. I always felt they looked like the inside of a coffin!! What you showed me today changed my mind … you should go for it! How dramatic for your space!
I’m not a fan of this look by the front door. I definitely like the privacy though. In my last house I had plantation shutters on either side of my front door, which I really liked. But, I’m not an amazing decorator like you so I’m sure whatever you do will be perfect ;)
It’s possible that it will grow on me, but I’m not a fan. It just don’t think it feels natural/ right. What does, though, but you know what I mean… hopefully. ha! I think it feels out of place. And, it doesn’t feel practical to cover doors and move them every time you want to go in and out which is likely often. Just doesn’t seem like a great solution to me… though I do like them on just a door opening such as a bathroom without a door. Just not on a front door.
I think this is a wonderful idea. your inspirational pictures are beautiful and I’m sure you will come up with a stunning design.
We did this in our last house. Light and airy panels for summer privacy; switched to beautiful velvet ones that added drama and cut the drafts in winter.
We actually did this in our front entry and I love it! We wanted privacy, but I did not want to block the light. I folded sheer curtains with a subtle texture in half and hung them with drapery clips. I can pull the curtains back easily when I want and close them when needed. I say go for it! Here’s a quick pic- http://www.suburbanspunkdesign.com/2010/04/front-entryone-thing-leads-to-another.html
I think you’ve got the height in your entry to make that look really great. I think its worth a try!
I like the look. The nice thing is, it’s not permanent, so when you want a change, you can simply remove them and patch the walls.
oh what a great idea – i think you should go for it!
Not really a fan of this one, Emily, especially the ones without tie-backs and that “puddle” on the floor. . .they look good, but I just don’t think it’s practical–everytime you open the door when it’s windy/rainy or welcoming more than one guest, not to mention kiddos and pets :)–but, I know you’ll come up with a way to circumvent all that and do something fabulous!
Blessings,
Sindy
Of the pictures you showed, I like them better on the interior doors than the front doors. Something about having a curtain rod over an exterior door just looks “off” to me.
Maybe those short curtain rods that don’t go all the way over the top of the window would work for this? (If you put “short curtain rods” into Pinterest there are some examples.)
I’m sure I’ll love whatever you come up with though!
We have very narrow white plantation blinds over our front door sidelights. They were custom made (through Lowe’s. I can open them all the way for full sun,close them partially or completely. Love them!
I think the curtains look great, and could really soften the entry. I searched high and low on pinterest and google images to try to find an inexpensive cover for our side light (yep singular, just one on the left side of the door). I bought a $5 roll of contact paper and did this… http://7thhouseontheleft.com/2011/08/window/
It’s simple but offers privacy without losing the light. It may be too much of a hassle for you since the windows are broken up though. Our side light is one long strip.
Your inspiration pics are beautiful. It would look so good in your entry. I really love the look, but I’m not so sure if I could pull it off one-sided. Our front door only has one window, to the left, instead of two like yours. What do you think?
I really like the curtains in unexpected places throughout the house. I think your entry way and arch window may be too beautiful on their own to be covered with a rod & curtains. Can’t wait to see what you end up doing!
I love this look and I think with the right fabric it would look elegant in your foyer. I am so glad you posted this collection of images, by the way, because I have been considering the same treatment in my foyer and this gives me all the inspiration I’ve been looking for!
58waterstreet.blogspot.com
LOVE!
wow! i never realized how great two curtains on either side of a front door could look. i am SOLD! love this look.
I never even thought of that, I love it!!! Adds so much and a great way for privacy :) Hope you and the babies are well.
XO
Kristin
I am not going to lie…I am not a fan of them on the front door….although some of these images might cause me to reconsider. That said, I’ve got them on both sets of french doors in the back of the house…..and we actually draw them closed in the kitchen at night….because we share a driveway with our neighbors and I kinda like the privacy….(second image in the link) http://www.maddiegdesigns.com/seeing-double-lee-jofa-belgravia/
I am sure whatever you do will look fabulous!
I like the look! I think this could work for my back door, it’s a single door with a window with not a lot of room to one side but I think a panel to one side would be cute.
Oh my! I love this! We’re in a rental now and I’ve been so stuck on how to make our front entry seem more cozy and inviting (it’s actually completely empty right now). This may be the perfect solution, with some gauzy curtains to still help filter light! :) Thanks for some great inspiration!
I love your inspiration photos. The idea of draperies in front entry is not new. In Europe where central heating is not the norm, heavy draperies were used to stop drafts from the front door, as well as around rooms and – yes, even beds, hence the drapes around a real canopy bed. Translated into today’s more relaxed homes they look terrific, keep us all posted!
paula :)
Love it! We grew up with them…my mom is ahead of her time! We live in Chicago and during the winter months it really added a sense of warmth to the foyer…Go for it!
I like that idea! I’d maybe paint the door too.
OH no – don’t do it. While SOME of those looks work others look crowded and fussy. They seem like they are trying too hard , or just overdone to me…That doesn’t seem to be your aesthetic…stick with your clean look and maybe paint the door black????
I like the idea of it for privacy at night (I have a similar design and I sometimes feel like we are exposed after dark), but the drapery rod over the front door just looks weird to me. I am trying to imagine what it would look like from inside with the curtains closed. Like a stage set or something. I have to agree that naked windows are the better option here.
I have to be honest- Im not a fan of this look -but I have seen it pulled of beautifully, and I think the key to that is the quality of the drapes- nicer fabric with a good drape to it & having them lined will make all the difference. But you know that already girl! -I know when you get your hands on it -it will be amazing!
As someone with a home that has western exposure and a French door, with two side lights, I installed some beautiful floor to ceiling drapes a few years ago. We are at the end of a lane and don’t require much peivacy, but on really hot days, it helps block the heat. Mainly, I just love the soft textures of gathered material.
I saw that same picture in Southern Living and was sold! I have a glass door with glass transoms on each side and across the top. I feel like I am living in a fish bowl and hate that when someone comes to the door, I am completely exposed. Not to mention the dogs bark at every little bird, butterfly or squirrel that happens to cross in front of the door.
I am definitely doing this – just have to find the right fabric. Thanks for the additional ideas!
Wow — you know, I have not seen much of that. But I truly love it! Adds such an element of warmth and coziness, I think! I say go for it!
I love this look, just wish I had thought about it before I did blinds on our front door and side lights.
This look is great! It’s a sort of “hold over” look from Victorian times (and older) when drapes were used at and beside doors to pull closed for added warmth in cold months.
Today we use them more for design :-)
Either way, I think the look is great!
This look is great! It’s a sort of “hold over” look from Victorian times (and older) when drapes were used at and beside doors to pull closed for added warmth in cold months.
Today we use them more for design :-)
Either way, I think the look is great!
I go back and forth on this so I’ve enjoyed reading your comments. I’ll keep pondering and will let you know :)
Another option to consider…
I went into a model home recently that had two tall slim topiary type things on the inside, in front of the windows. It looked nice!
I’m loving this design opportunity to finish out a foyer – thanks for the idea!
I think your existing windows are so amazing. It would be a shame to cover them up. Especially since your door is so dark, it would close everything in too much. Maybe paint your door? Or consider a stencil on that wall to add some texture?
I’d never considered this option before, but I like it!
I really like them on room transitions.. not so sure about the front door though.
Then again… what do I know? ;)
I like all of the pictures you showed…although I have seen them “presented badly”…..They do look especially good in a huge foyer to help warm it up! I am going to go back and look at all of them again….gotta study!
OK…here is my take…non of those doors had the top window like yours where it is rounded [except that one with the stone]. So…if you hang them across the straight part then it will cut the space in half…..I don’t know…more research….
I wouldn’t look at any of those photos and say, I LOVE that! That’s my test. Maybe just a little too busy and cluttered on the front door for my taste. Good luck making a decision! :)
Don’t do it! Your windows are too lovely. This looks like the new trend, painting your front door black is sooo 6 months ago LOL! I agree with Sherry that it will really visually shorten your space. Love your blog, I don’t know how you do it with 5 kiddos!
I think it looks really great! One question – how would you deal with the arched window at the top? I have the same issue in our bedroom, and I’m not sure how to work around it.
Thanks!! Love your blog :)
Really lovely drapes. Our friend used them instead of closet doors in her beach house. Curtains soften things up. Happy Sunday!
I have wanted to do this in my foyer for years but have never had the courage to just do it. You’ve got me thinking about it again!
We had this is one of our homes. It was my favorite feature and we had so many wonderful comments on how beautiful it looked. I say go for it!!
I like open and simple better. It really closes in the entry when there are curtains. But that’s why we all decorate our own houses. :) If you want to fill in the space, why not frame some silhouettes of your kids and put them down the side, or hand prints, or any picture that strikes your fancy. Just a thought.
Another reason to love your blog. This is just such an awesome post. Big fan of curtains anywhere here. I would love to see you do this in your house. Bet it would look amazing.
This look has been really growing on me. I love the unexpected drama of drapes on either side of the front door. I think it would make it feel like you were entering someplace really special. I’d give this look a try for sure!
I love the look and am planning to do the same either at my front door or the door to the dining room, which is in the foyer. I like having fabric in the foyer too. Softens a space for sure! i think the key is to keep it simple and have the rod simple.
Well, obviously, I’m a fan :)
Although I cringe at the terrible photo of the ones in my house.
We love them because it gives us privacy at night. And a pop of color/pattern in the entry.
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