French Door Drapes & Patio Door Curtains: Top Ideas & Tips

 

Patio glass doors and French doors are more than just entryways; they are a bridge between your indoor sanctuary and the rejuvenating outdoor spaces. With their ability to bathe your home in natural light and enhance the sense of openness, they’ve become a staple in modern and classical designs alike. If you’re exploring ways to elevate their charm with the right French door curtains/ patio door curtains, pause for a moment, because this blog is tailored just for you. 

Curtains provide top-notch functionality together with a grandiloquent visual appeal. They are excellent insulators, provide privacy and light control to the desired degree and possess outstanding potential to carry colour, pattern and texture. In addition, they are customisable to the last detail when you take the made-to-measure route, expanding the scope to dress a patio door/ French door of any size. But, while the functional and aesthetic potential of drapery is indisputable, tapping that potential to meet your requirements to the fullest is a whole other story. It calls for well-considered design decisions that presuppose some know-how, which our in-house stylists are here to share. On to their styling advice – 

Mount the Hardware Correctly

 

One of the challenges of dressing doors with curtains lies in maintaining the ease of operability of the doors. As regards inswinging French or patio doors, this challenge is more pronounced as the curtains may infringe on the space that the doors need for operation. But, this aspect can be taken care of by mounting the hardware correctly.

There are other functional aspects too that the positioning of the hardware can influence. For example, the hardware should be so positioned that the curtains may glide and stack past the doors, giving wholesome access to light, air and the wonderful view beyond. Further, when the curtains are drawn for light control, especially in bedrooms, light leaks have to be kept in check for maximum effectiveness. All of these intentions can be well taken care of by making thoughtful design decisions, and hardware is one of them.

These are our drapery experts’ recommendations regarding the installation of hardware for French door curtains:

• MINIMIZE LIGHT LEAKS: Mount the drapery pole about 6-12 inches above the door trim. This will serve to minimise any light leaks from above the drapery. If the door is closer to the ceiling, you can even go for floor-to-ceiling drapes. Not only will it cancel all chances for light leaks, but it will also render grandeur and tailored appeal to the entire room. For a low-ceiling room, floor-to-ceiling drapes will do the extraordinary favour of making the ceiling appear higher and the room more spacious.
• AVOID OBSTRUCTION: Secondly, let the drapery pole extend to about 6-12 inches on both sides of the door. When the curtains are gathered to the sides, they can be moved further away from the doors and stacked on the wall surround. This way, the entire doorway will be available for use without any obstruction. In addition, this minor excess will help in curbing light leaks from the sides of the drapery. Also, the curtains will be out of the way for the doors to be operated freely.

Consider Door-Mounted Curtains

 

French doors & some other styles of patio doors present a unique opportunity for mounting the curtains onto their frame rather than on the wall. This style of mounting befits traditional country homes more than modern setups. A white door-mounted rod pocket frilled curtain has been the apt finishing touch for a dreamy rustic kitchen’s white French doors, for ages now. But, it’s not just about the aesthetic appeal, the practical convenience of door-mounted curtains is tempting enough to make anyone want to consider them for their home, regardless of their decor style.

Firstly, door-mounted curtains do not take up any additional space, they neatly cover the portion of the glass panes and avoid unwanted excess. This is of special benefit for narrow doorways where there isn’t enough of a wall surround to extend the drapery hardware past the door’s trims.

Secondly, the curtains are mounted taut on two sash rods at the top and bottom so that they don’t billow in the wind or come in the way of function when you want to reach the door handles. And finally, since they are fixed to the door, you don’t have to first manoeuvre the curtains to open/ close the doors as you have to do when the curtains are mounted to the walls. 

The downside, however, is that door-mounted curtains are an option only if the drapery hardware can even be affixed to the doors. For this reason, metal doors and doors of some other construction materials may not be compatible with this design choice. Further, door-mounted curtains do not provide extensive coverage. They can only be sewn from light materials as they add to the weight of the doors, affecting in turn their ease of operability. As a result, they are not great for spaces that require top-grade light control, privacy and insulation. And, their immensely informal vibe makes them somewhat inappropriate for formal spaces that seek to add a sense of grandeur and glamour with their French & patio door curtains. Also, since door-mounted curtains alter the look of the French doors, they are not the favourites of those who want their doors to be a design statement. 

Consider the Visual Appeal on the Rear Side

 

Unlike the case with windows, glass door curtains add to the aesthetic of both spaces that they connect. So, the curtains’ rear side has to be presentable, at the very least. In this regard, here are a few considerations to be made:

The choice of fabric and lining requires some forethought. If you’re opting to line the curtains, it is the lining that will appear on the patio so you may coordinate its colour with the patio decor. If you’re using unlined curtains, choose a fabric that looks the same on both sides or at least has a presentable rear side. So, you may want to avoid embroidered fabrics, one-sided printed fabrics and fabrics like velvet that look unfinished on the reverse side. The other option is to go for double-sided drapes so that the curtains are a feature even on their rear side. This opens the scope to pair colours and patterns and add a designer touch to your decor.

Pay attention to the choice of heading style too. Pinch pleat headers look very decorative on the front side with their flowery pleats but are not quite aesthetically pleasing on the rear side. Rather, opt for heading styles like grommet tops, flat panel tops, rod pockets and tab tops that look very similar on both sides. Note that this will be less relevant if your drapery pole/ track is mounted quite higher above the door’s trim, making the top portion of the header invisible on the rear side. 

Decide on the Number of Panels

 

The number of panels to be ordered is another design decision that needs careful consideration. Several factors have to be taken into account for making this decision. Framing the doors with two curtain panels on either side is standard practice as it accords symmetry and balance. However, in some cases, single panels or multiple panels are more practically convenient and aesthetically pleasing.

For a narrow single-panel patio door, a single curtain panel is most apt. This is especially practical if the door is opening inward so your curtain can be easily kept out of the way, tucked to one side. It is also recommended for doors that do not have a wall surround on both sides to stack the curtains. From the aesthetic perspective as well, it is a stylish way of dressing a window as the curtain cascades down gracefully in a swag when it is gathered onto a hold-back on the wall, lending your French patio doors a dreamy appeal or a glamorous overtone.

If you have two or more sets of doors with walls in between, having multiple panels is ideal so that each set of doors can have double panels to frame them and the walls will get covered neatly. This will ensure ease of operation and maintenance too.

 Choose Fabric Opacity Level as per Functional Requirements

 

While patio doors & French doors are envisioned to draw in light, curtains let you take charge and decide when to let it in and to what degree. But, light control is not the only requirement. Privacy is a key functional need that curtains have to address, along with insulation. So, identify the functional needs of the space where your patio door/ French door is located, and accordingly choose a fabric of the right opacity level.

Sheer curtains perform the excellent service of diffusing daylight and creating a cosy, inviting ambience. In rooms where total privacy is not a high priority, sheer or semi-sheer curtains fulfil the requirements without depriving you of light, air or visual access to the lovely view beyond.

But for a bedroom’s patio door, for example, the guard has to be raised further. Here, non-sheer curtains can ensure nighttime privacy and substantial control of incoming light. If you want room-darkening, better insulation and flawless privacy, look for blackout curtains specially designed to block all incoming light and prevent thermal energy loss. All it takes is to specify a blackout lining in your order or to choose a blackout drapery fabric.

So, depending on the functional requirements of the room, pick a fabric of the right opacity level to deliver the desired level of light control, privacy and insulation.

Opt for a Suitable Heading Style

 

The heading style is another aspect that demands due consideration for patio and/ or French door curtains. The heading style refers to the design of the header, the top edge of the curtain that attaches to the drapery pole/ track. As each heading style is a unique combination of visual appeal and functionality, the choice must be made taking into account your overall decor style and the level of operation you anticipate. Luckily, at The White Window, you have a copious choice spectrum of over a dozen heading styles so catering to your specific interests will be as easy as it can get.

Since patios are usually high-traffic areas, in all likelihood, you may have to operate the curtains often. If that is the case, we recommend heading styles that have rings, grommets or pins as they glide easily on the pole/ track.

The heading style must also sync with your decor style and the mood of the room. For a summery easygoing aesthetic, flat top curtains offer a casual touch befitting breezy cotton and linen curtains. Whereas, for a patio extending from a formal living room, one of the pinch pleats styles is ideal as its ornamental pre-stitched folds give off a very tailored visual appeal.

Where you’re choosing patio door curtains for aesthetic purposes more than functional, the aspect of visual appeal takes priority. And, at all other times, functionality is the prime criterion for the choice of heading style.

The unique features of each heading style and how they can complement your specific settings can be explored in detail in our Drapery Headings Guide. Do visit the guide and make a well-informed decision.

 Choose a Practically Convenient Length

 

While it’s a given that the French door curtains/ patio door curtains are to be floor-length, the exact drop point suitable for your setting could be a matter of discernment. The curtains can stop just above the floor, touch the floor or puddle on the floor. Note that this little detail will not only dictate their visual appeal but also affect the curtains’ operability, upkeep and safety levels.

Curtains that ‘float’ above the floor, that is, stop about an inch above the floor, are the top choice for those looking for maximum practical convenience. They glide easily on the pole and do not accumulate dust.

Curtains that ‘graze’ the floor or lightly touch it operate smoothly and are the most favoured drop point for patio door curtains as they offer a very tailored look that implies bespoke crafting with precise measurement. At this drop point, you will also not have light bursting in from the bottom as it does with floating curtains.

But in case you find it difficult to pull off the precise measurements needed to achieve that picture-perfect look of curtains grazing the floor, consider the ‘break-puddle’ drop point, where curtains extend for about an inch after touching the floor. This is ideal for rooms with uneven floors, an imperfection that otherwise gets highlighted when curtains float or graze the floor.

Curtains that puddle on the floor, that is, extend after touching the floor to form pools of fabric, are an aesthetic statement that may be best reserved for stationary panels that frame the doors as they don’t glide easily. If you love the extravagant appeal of puddled curtains, keep them for their decor value as stationary panels and install other window treatments for functional purposes, such as roman shades or roller blinds.

Considering the level of traffic passing through your patio/ French doors and how exposed they are to the external environment, we recommend a carefully considered length that makes it easy to use and maintain your curtains, and also spares you the worry of someone tripping on them. 

Voice the Decor Style

 

Considering that curtains are not just functional furnishings but also decor opportunities, their ability to voice the aesthetic appeal of your home should ideally not be missed. The choice of fabric, its colours, patterns and finishes, and the header’s design and add-on embellishments - all come together to voice your overarching decor style and the specific mood of the room.

A cream plaid rod pocket curtain relays the casual charm of a vintage-y country home. A white slubby linen tab top curtain with ribbon trims is an unmistakable sign of a rustic decor setting. A blue-white nautical striped tie-top curtain speaks to the airiness, casualness and seafaring themes of coastal homes. A flat panel geometric print drapery reflects the modern leanings of a contemporary home. And a lustrous damask pinch pleat drapery says in no ambiguous terms that this is an eclectic maximalist home with a penchant for traditional themes. 

So, based on the visual that you are aiming to create and the overall vibe of the decor in the room, choose a fabric, heading style and curtain trim that will help you attain the design goal.

Shop French Door Drapes & Patio Door Curtains at The White Window

 

Soft sunlight streaming in through idyllic glass doors while billowy curtains cast dancing shadows is just what every homeowner dreams of having. You’re halfway to getting there since you have beautiful patio/ French doors - and we hope that curating a drapery to dress them is appearing an easier task at the end of this blog. So, it is time to make that dream take shape in a vivid pair of curtains that meet your taste. Browse through our collection of organic cottons, linens and their blends, lustrous silks and buttery velvets, breezy sheers and lovely blackouts, and find your perfect French door curtains/ patio door curtains today!