Curtain Ideas for Door Sidelights

Pull Down

• Fabric attached to a roller bar pulls down to block the sidelights when you're not at home or in the evening. Roman shades are a little more decorative than plain roller bars. Natural materials such as bamboo work as well and are inexpensive to boot.

Fabric on Tension Rods

• Sheer curtains installed on tension rods obstruct some of the view to the inside the house, but let in all the light. Install rods at both the top and bottom of the side panels or just at the top and let the bottom of the curtains hang free. Opaque fabric blocks any view into the house, but lets in some light. Use fabric two to three times the width of the sidelight and gather it onto the tension rod for a different look. Push the curtain about an inch or so away from the edges of the sidelights and you'll be able to see who is at the door, but they'll have a difficult time seeing you.

Beads

• It's not a look for everyone, but installing beads on the sidelights doesn't block the light and does provide some privacy. Beads already strung are found in craft stores. Create one-of-a-kind bead curtains by stringing a variety of beads yourself. During the holidays, bead garlands come in a huge variety of colors that fit nearly every decor. Crystals, found in the lighting department to replace those that have broken on chandeliers, add an upscale look if hung at different levels from fishing wire or from silver thread.

Paper

• Think of paper as a disposable curtain. Once you get tired of the pattern, it's quick to remove and replace. Use etched papers that are see-through to let in light. Another alternative is wrapping paper. Cut cardboard to fit the sidelights, then cover the cardboard on both sides with wrapping paper so the pattern is visible from both the inside and outside. Another alternative is to pleat the paper and fasten it to the glass on the sidelights at the top and bottom with double-faced tape. The pleating adds textural interest.