10 Bathroom Window Solutions to Maintain Your Privacy
Maximise natural light while preserving your modesty with these inspiring ways to work your bathroom windows
Lucy Meek
10 August 2014
Bathroom windows can be tricky. This is a room that needs natural light (for all that spot checking and make-up applying), but also depends on privacy. Thankfully, there are plenty of options that will allow you to tick both boxes. Whether you’re looking for a quick fix or planning a full redesign, these ideas should help you find the best solution for your home.
Go half and half
If you don’t want to cover the entire window, how about just the bottom half? This frosted film forms a neat edge and keeps bathers hidden while still allowing the light to flood in and offering soothing views of the treetops.
If you don’t want to cover the entire window, how about just the bottom half? This frosted film forms a neat edge and keeps bathers hidden while still allowing the light to flood in and offering soothing views of the treetops.
Face the sky
In a loft conversion, fitting a skylight instead of a vertical window maximises the amount of natural light flooding in as well as avoiding the need for shutters or curtains. It also frees up wall space for storage and smart surfaces.
Discover ways to rev up the style in a small bathroom
In a loft conversion, fitting a skylight instead of a vertical window maximises the amount of natural light flooding in as well as avoiding the need for shutters or curtains. It also frees up wall space for storage and smart surfaces.
Discover ways to rev up the style in a small bathroom
Vote for a voile blind
If your window is big, you can afford to cover it entirely with a translucent material. This bespoke, ribbon-tied roller blind lets in flattering diffused light without betraying anything inside. Choose plain white for maximum effect.
If your window is big, you can afford to cover it entirely with a translucent material. This bespoke, ribbon-tied roller blind lets in flattering diffused light without betraying anything inside. Choose plain white for maximum effect.
Take it high
A long, high window makes a permanent privacy solution without blocking out natural light. This design combines it with the shower area to leave precious wall space elsewhere for mirrors and storage.
A long, high window makes a permanent privacy solution without blocking out natural light. This design combines it with the shower area to leave precious wall space elsewhere for mirrors and storage.
Add a little frosting
Victorian-style, four-paned windows like these could have been designed for window film. Frosted panels can be bought ready-cut to your specified size and are easy to apply. If you prefer to cover all the panes, choose film for the top ones with cut-out designs, such as stars or circles, to let in extra light and allow you to peep out.
Victorian-style, four-paned windows like these could have been designed for window film. Frosted panels can be bought ready-cut to your specified size and are easy to apply. If you prefer to cover all the panes, choose film for the top ones with cut-out designs, such as stars or circles, to let in extra light and allow you to peep out.
Choose a classic
Slatted wooden shutters are a classic window covering, allowing you to block out or let in the outside with just a twist of the handle. Opt for white ones like these for a fresh and airy look.
Slatted wooden shutters are a classic window covering, allowing you to block out or let in the outside with just a twist of the handle. Opt for white ones like these for a fresh and airy look.
Keep it sheer
Gathered sheer curtains will give you a degree of privacy while still allowing you to see outside. They add a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere to a long soak, and can easily be drawn back if stronger light is needed, for applying make-up, for instance. White lets in most light, or choose a block colour to cast a more moody glow.
Gathered sheer curtains will give you a degree of privacy while still allowing you to see outside. They add a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere to a long soak, and can easily be drawn back if stronger light is needed, for applying make-up, for instance. White lets in most light, or choose a block colour to cast a more moody glow.
Find an angle
The generous window in this gently sloping wall offers the best of all worlds – great natural light without full glare, and privacy from all but the birds’ beady eyes.
The generous window in this gently sloping wall offers the best of all worlds – great natural light without full glare, and privacy from all but the birds’ beady eyes.
Build a wall
A wall of clear glass blocks is a permanent privacy solution, letting in light while also serving as an eye-catching statement wall. The translucent blocks diffuse the light for an appealing glow, while adding a graphic element to the design.
Check out expert advice on how to begin a bathroom redesign
A wall of clear glass blocks is a permanent privacy solution, letting in light while also serving as an eye-catching statement wall. The translucent blocks diffuse the light for an appealing glow, while adding a graphic element to the design.
Check out expert advice on how to begin a bathroom redesign
Use the space
The ceiling on this shower space has to be the ultimate bathroom window – a seamless sheet open to the trees and sky, giving an outdoors boost come rain or shine.
Tell us how you’ve dressed your bathroom windows in the Comments section below.
The ceiling on this shower space has to be the ultimate bathroom window – a seamless sheet open to the trees and sky, giving an outdoors boost come rain or shine.
Tell us how you’ve dressed your bathroom windows in the Comments section below.
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Gathered sheer curtains are not going to help whatsoever ! My main bathroom is windowed directly onto the back door and well used patio. I put in blinds and a thick curtain which is never opened. Then I had a small solar tube skylight installed. The light is fantastic and the little translucent panel has lots of facets so that the breeze in the trees is reflected into the room with moving green/white lights. Works great and solar tubes are cheaper than windows and well engineered to be leakproof in storms.