Front and Back Door Curtains: Top Ideas & Styling Tips

 

Curtains cascading gently over doorways with their soft contours and sumptuous pleats can add an unmistakable touch of grandeur to any home. Front and back door curtains may, in some cases, go a step ahead and impact the external facade’s visual appeal too, and by extension, the first impression of your home. But whether or not they have a role in scripting the kerb appeal, they do share a great responsibility in ensuring privacy and energy efficiency. So, dressing your home’s main entrance and patio doors with flowy curtains is both aesthetically tasteful and practically helpful. If these are the very thoughts that brought you to shopping for your front or back door curtains at The White Window today, this blog is for you. 

Top Factors to Consider for Front & Back Door Curtains

 

The undulated silhouettes of curtains are playgrounds for the eternal hide-and-seek game between light and shadow, and their billowing announces the wind’s direction and vigour. Sometimes drawn as a vivid backdrop and at other times gathered into voluminous ripples, curtains provide a distinct aesthetic with each version. Add to that their unlimited capacity to feature any colour, pattern and embellishment, and you have the most fabulous means of incorporating personality into your decor. So, decor enthusiasts and ace designers don’t stop at the windows; many dress up doorways with curtains, even when functional requirements are not driving them to. But, for front and back doors, curtains do more than just pull off a visual stunt.

For front doors facing busy streets, especially those with glass panels or sidelights, curtains are essential to safeguard privacy. Likewise, extensive glass patio doors call for insulative curtains to prevent loss of thermal energy during winter and keep unwanted heat at bay during summer afternoons. Besides, front door curtains and back door drapes add to the decor of the foyer and rooms attached to the patio. So, dressing your front and back doors with curtains is extremely rewarding on all counts when done with forethought. And, these are the matters to be kept in mind when you launch your decor project:

Decide the Mounting Position 

 

Back and front door curtains can be mounted in two ways, and accordingly, design decisions that follow will vary. Each of these positions is brimming with aesthetic potential and functional benefits, and clients choose the one that meets their individual preferences:

Mounting Curtains on the Door

 

Since doors are meant for passage and are frequently operated, many homeowners prefer to cut down the process of first moving aside the curtains and then operating the door. Hence, door-mounted curtains are a popular practice for front and back doors. Since the curtains are affixed to the doors, you don’t have to operate them separately, relieving you from the chore of maneuvering the curtains every time you want to use the doorway. And here are the three most popular options to explore for mounting the curtains on the door:

MOUNT A SINGLE-PANEL CURTAIN ON A DOOR-MOUNTED ROD

A lightweight rod can be installed on the door panel and a single-panel curtain hung on it. Even doors with metal frames can avail of this method of hanging the curtain by using magnetic rods. Care has to be taken to mount a lightweight curtain to avoid loading the door with weight and compromising its ease of functionality. This arrangement is most often used on glass-paned doors for privacy. 

MOUNT DOUBLE ROD POCKET CURTAINS ON SASH RODS 

In this option, sash rods are installed above and below the glass portion of the door. Double rod pocket curtains are mounted on these, securing them at the top as well as the bottom. The curtain sits taut on the poles, never swaying in the wind, making this an especially favoured way of dressing sidelights to ensure flawless privacy. For doors that are operated frequently, double rod-pocket curtains are practically advantageous as they neither come in the way of the handle nor rattle on the door when the door swings. 

MOUNT A SINGLE-PANEL CURTAIN ON A PORTIERE ROD

In this arrangement, a swing arm curtain rod, also known as a portiere rod is installed and a single-panel curtain is hung on it. Portiere rods ‘lift’ a little bit on one end when the door swings open. This, in turn, causes the curtain to also lift off the floor and set back in position when the door is closed. This feature helps to avoid the curtain fraying at the bottom from being dragged on the floor. It also contributes to energy savings in winter as the curtains will automatically seal the door every time someone opens the door and goes out. 

Mounting Curtains on the Wall

 

Mounting the curtains on walls, instead of the door itself, offers the scope to lengthen and widen the curtains beyond the dimensions of the door and create a sense of grandeur. These are also more effective at light control and insulation as they provide generous coverage. When mounting curtains on the wall, there are several considerations to be made such as the number of panels, stacking room, desirable length, and so on that have been elaborately explained later in this blog. 

Wall-mounted curtains are the ideal option for your front and back door curtains if your decor style is formal or dressy. Especially, if the windows of the house have been dressed in curtains, cohesiveness can only be maintained by opting for long curtains for the portieres as well. Door-mounted curtains, on the other hand, look comparatively more informal and are better suited to rooms where windows have been treated with sill-length treatments or casual curtains.

Ensure Unhindered Functionality of Doors 

 

The prime aspect to be kept in mind when dressing the front and back doors with curtains is to preserve the functionality of the doors. One way to do this is to mount the curtains on the door as we have already discussed at length above. The other way is to mount the curtains on the wall such that the curtains and the door don’t infringe on each other’s space. Care should be taken to leave the door’s handles easily accessible. Further, for inswinging doors, the curtains must stack clear off the doorway so that they do not compromise the ease of operability of the doors. Here are a couple of things you can do in this regard:

PROVIDE STACKING ROOM: The curtains must be gathered past the doorway so that they don’t hinder the functionality of the door. For this, extend the drapery pole a few inches beyond the door’s frame to provide space for the curtains to stack back outside the span of the doorway. 

MINIMISE THE STACK: Where there is no room to extend the drapery pole, the curtains will have to stack on the doorway. So, in such cases, consider using low-body drapes as they can be maneuvered relatively easily and will make a sleek stack. For this, reduce the width and ‘gather’ of the panel. You will find a detailed explanation with examples on this matter in our Measurement Guide. Secondly, opt for heading styles that make a sleek stack such as grommet tops and flat panel tops. Avoid elaborate heading styles like pinch pleats that need more room to stack.

INSTALL HOLD-BACKS: Small accessories often perform the smartest of services and hold-backs are such. These discreet add-ons will keep your curtains secure and off the doorway.

Insulate with Blackout Fabrics

 

Glass doors enable a visual connection to the outdoors but they also leach out precious thermal energy during winter, blowing your energy bills if you have oversized glass doors. Likewise, during summer, they heat up and accentuate the heat inside the home. So, whether you have full-glass doors, half-glass doors, or sidelights, it is a good idea to cover them with insulating fabrics, especially during extreme weather conditions. Therefore, we recommend blackout curtains or curtains with blackout linings  for front and back doors. 

A blackout drapery fabric is a thickly woven chemically overtreated fabric that is highly insulative. Blackout face fabrics come in various colours and patterns so meeting your aesthetic expectations may not be a challenge at all. The blackout lining, on the other hand, shares the same blackout properties but is intended to be used behind a drapery for enhanced insulation. Whichever route you choose, you can expect to cut thermal energy loss in your home by almost 30%. 

Decide the Number of Panels

 

Another factor that requires careful consideration is the number of panels. While curtains are generally envisioned to be in pairs, when it comes to narrow doors, single-panel curtains are also popularly used. But which one is apt is more than a matter of taste. The choice hinges on the width of the doorway, the type of door and your overarching decor style. These are our recommendations in this regard:

• Single-panel curtains are apt for narrow doorways as they look proportional. Besides, since narrow doors are usually single-panel doors, single-panel curtains make it easy to access the door’s handles. The key to styling the curtain lies in gathering it to the side that the door opens to and securing it there with the help of a wall-mounted hold-back. When you open the door, the curtain will give way and slide behind the door, not hindering its functionality in any way. And the swag-like rippled cascade on the top portion is the bonus point. It proffers a very opulent appeal that can be further complemented with statement fabrics and luxuriant embellishments. 

• Double-panel curtains are the default setting for wide doorways, double-panel doors and doors with sidelights. They ring in balance and symmetry, excellently framing the doors. Since the weight is distributed, the operation ease is enhanced as opposed to oversized single-panel curtains that may stagger due to the load. It is worth investing in hold-backs or tie-backs to keep them from coming in the way of function and to control the billowing of the curtains.

Choose between Decorative Panels & Full-Coverage Curtains

 

How wide you want your back and front door curtains to be is an important aspect for consideration. Depending on whether your purpose is aesthetic or functional, you can plan the level of coverage you’re hoping to get from your curtains. 

• Narrow decorative panels are recommended if you’re only looking to enhance the visual appeal of your home, and simply framing the door for aesthetic reasons. If privacy and insulation are not your key requirement, opt for narrow curtain panels that are mounted on two short drapery poles on each side, and kept stationary in their position as a decorative feature.

• Full-coverage curtains are required when you want your curtains to provide privacy and/or insulation. These curtains cover the entire doorway and are operable. Glass doors that compromise privacy, let in more than the required daylight and leak precious thermal energy during winter often call for the insulative features of full coverage curtains.

Make a Thoughtful Consideration of the Curtains’ Length

 

‘How long should my curtains be?’ is an oft-repeated question and especially relevant when it comes to front and back door curtains. Since doors are meant for passage and are usually high-traffic zones, length considerations require careful forethought.

Extravagantly puddled curtains should be avoided for front and back doors as they are not easy to operate and may prove to be a hazard in a doorway. Those who prioritise ease of functionality will be better satisfied with curtains that stop at the floor. These may ‘float’ an inch or so above the floor, lightly ‘graze’ the floor or break-puddle with a slight extension of an inch after touching the floor. Further, they are safe to use in high-traffic areas as they will minimize any unfortunate tripping accidents.

Choose a Befitting Heading Style

 

The way curtains function is greatly impacted by their heading style, which refers to the construction and design of the curtain header. The header is the top portion of the curtain that is fastened onto the drapery pole/track and often comprises a decorative detail. 

At The White Window, clients have over a dozen heading styles to choose from, so finding one that suits your requirements is easy. But, the key to making the right choice lies in determining the type of functionality you are looking for. We have the following recommendations in this regard:

• Stationary curtains are not expected to be operated. These may be narrow panels framing the door or sheer curtains that must stay drawn intact always to ensure flawless daytime privacy. For these, we recommend styles like rod pockets and back tab tops that stay steady on the pole. These styles don’t slide sideward easily when it is windy, fulfilling your intention of keeping the curtains stationary.

• Fully functional frequently operated curtains are expected to glide easily on the pole/track without having to apply much effort. So, if you anticipate operating your back and front door curtains often, look for heading styles that use rings/grommets/hooks in their construction. These include all types of pinch pleats, grommet tops, flat panel tops and pencil pleats.

Aside from ease of operability, the visual impact of the heading style, its ability to control light, and insulate the home should also be probed. Some headers are full coverage and others comprise intervals, an aspect that will somewhat impact the insulative capacity of the drapes. Further, you also have to factor in your decor style when finalising the heading style. We recommend browsing our Drapery Headings Guide where you will get detailed information on each heading style including how each of them can complement your aesthetic vision and functional requirements.

Make Aesthetic Considerations

 

Since doorways are transitional spaces, they contribute to the visual appeal of several rooms of the home. Accordingly, the choice of fabric and other details have to be selected with care to maintain a cohesive flow.

The curtains on the front door and back door must blend seamlessly with the decor of the surrounding  spaces, like the foyer, hallway and living room. The same goes for the back door curtains that should ideally coordinate with the kitchen or den  that they may be visually connected with.

So, choose the colour, pattern, trims, heading style and hardware with the view of coordinating the curtain with all the adjoined areas that are visually connected. That does not mean that they all have to feature the same fabric but that they must complement each other and endorse the same decor style overall.

Another aspect to be considered is regarding doors that are flanked by windows on either or both sides. Take care to mount the drapery rods for the windows and the doors at the same level on the wall even if the windows may be positioned higher or lower compared to the doors. This helps to maintain a continuous visual line for an uncluttered appeal. It is a small detail that can go a long way to add a touch of sophistication and designer appeal to your decor. 

Aspects of Front Door Curtains That Call for Special Attention

 

Depending on the layout of your home, front door curtains can beautify not just the entrance but also the foyer, hallway and living room. They hold the potential to be the finishing touch of this entire space by acting as a statement of the theme and palette of your decor. For a main door that is flanked by elaborately-dressed windows, door curtains become all the more pertinent as without them, the door will look like a misfit amidst a well-executed visual feat. Apart from these aesthetic considerations, the functional requirements of privacy and insulation require special attention too. These are some tips from our stylists to make sure that your front door curtains meet both your aesthetic and functional aspirations:

Comply with Regulations on Kerb Appeal 

In the case of front doors with glass panels and sidelights, the rear side of the curtains will be visible on the facade. Hence, it is advisable to keep any condo rules or estate regulations in mind while specifying your order for front door curtains. For example, if regulations require that the curtains should appear white from the outside, you can specify a white lining or choose a white face fabric if leaving the curtains unlined.

Choose Fabric Keeping Privacy Requirements in View

For a home located on a busy street, glass doors and sidelights compromise privacy to some extent. Here, non-sheer curtains are ideal as they will block the view round the clock. But, where semi-privacy is sufficient and you love to welcome light, consider sheer and semi-sheer curtains.

Aspects of Back Door Curtains That Call for Special Attention

 

While front door curtains require special considerations based on privacy and aesthetic concerns, back door curtains too come with nitty-gritty of their own. These are often more concerned with enhanced functionality as they are accessed more often. In addition, they come in a variety of types such as French doors, frameless glass doors, bifold doors, pocket glass doors, sliding glass doors, slatted doors and so on - each bringing its own set of concerns to be addressed. So, over and above the factors we mentioned earlier, there are some special considerations to be made for back doors. In this regard, these are our top recommendations:

MAXIMISE INSULATION: Homes with expansive glass patio doors, a common feature in recent constructions, have to make a top-notch arrangement for maximising the insulation of the home in winter. Glass doors - sliding or bifolds - are notorious warmth-stealers that have to be kept in check with the most insulative curtains. For this, consider lining your drapes with blackout lining as mentioned earlier, and also take additional steps to make them draught-proof. For further tips, please refer to our Blackout Curtains collection page that offers useful insights for optimising insulation.

CONSIDER THE TYPE OF DOOR: Back door curtains come in several models, each posing a different set of factors to be considered. For example, curtains for any inswinging French doors should ideally be compatible with their inward-swinging while pocket sliding doors call for careful consideration of stacking room. Based on the type of your patio door, the design decisions regarding curtains will vary. Please refer to our blogs on French Door Drapes and Sliding Door Curtains for a detailed exploration.

In Closing

 

Unlike internal doors, front and back door curtains have unique challenges, and these are tackled with thoughtful design decisions. We hope that the insights in this blog will work as a compass for you to make suitable choices and strike a balance between your aesthetic aspirations and functional requirements. And now, it is time to draw the curtains on this blog and explore our vast collection of fabrics to design the made-to-measure curtains that will welcome you into the foyer and beautify your patio. On that note, we invite you to shop for your back and front door curtains at The White Window now!