You can but a frosted finish or an etched finish, that sprays on. You will need to mask the areas you don’t want sprayed off, and cover the floor in your house, but they are a very easy to use. I’m sure you can find it at Lowes, etc. in the spray paint area. I’ve never seen it in a brush on application but, you could ask at a hobby store or paint store.

@enjoythejourney I thought about that but didn't know if it will end up looking odd

Paint the unwanted sections, keeping the light coming through; might be fun to set crystals (bling) in sections needing to be obscured

You could use spray frosting from Rustoleum. Mask off what you don't want to treat.

If you want a cheap and easy to reverse way to frost it, go to the dollar tree and get a roll of their clear contact paper. The brand they have in the store removes easily and when up on a window is frosted. Put up to cover the see thru area and cut out with an exacto knife. I used it on my garage door window 3 years ago and it is holding strong. It lets in the sunlight but you can't see in it.

My concern with spraying on "frosting" is that it's not going to be smooth and look odd. Right now if you touch the glass on either side it's a smooth glass surface, it's hard to describe but it looks like all the etching and design was done and then glass was added to either side ( like a sandwich). Does it make sense what I'm trying to describe?

You should test any treatment of course. It could be that your door is double paned, and the decorative glass is in between.

Your options in order of increasing cost: 1) apply something to the clear glass; 2) change the glass inserts for glass that offers more privacy; 3) replace the whole door/sidelites unit. HTH

thanks for the options, and yes I think my door is double paned.

i'd paint the clear parts with a small paint brush. ivory, or any color you like, you can fuss at it all you want and scrape it off with a razor blade (wet the area first, so the blade doesnt scratch the glass) if it doesnt come out how you'd like. uneven would look more like stained glass.

like the pink and green parts in this photo.

Leave it as it is. The only way someone can see in your house is if they're right at the door. They can't see in from the street. Is there something in your foyer that you'd rather not let anyone see; do you walk around the house naked? Really, any thing you put on that glass will make it look like a door in a mobile home park.

Carolina-I was hoping there was something I was unaware of that would be suggested that would offer me the privacy I want and not look horrible. I'm not concerned with people seeing in from the street but don't like the fact that I'm sitting in my living room or walking around in that area and someone ringing my door (UPS driver, girl scouts, religious groups, sales people etc. ) can see me before I even realize that they are there. That's happened to me three times already, and honestly if it wasn't because they can clearly see me standing there I wouldn't have even opened the door as I was not dressed for random sales pitches and visits.

"but it looks like all the etching and design was done and then glass was added to either side ( like a sandwich)."

EXACTLY!!

You could carefully mask and spray paint them on the inside.

Janet do you not have a door bell ? Why do people stand at your door and not knock or ring the bell. And where i live I have glass everywhere and if people are inclined I guess they can see into my house , I wear clothes and do not feel the need to be dressed in certain way to buy girl guide cookies.Honestly looking at that door I can’t imagine anyone trying to look through the glass to see you.

Yes I have a doorbell Patricia, what people people have done is ring the doorbell while looking into the house. I want to have the option of not opening the door if I choose not to, which is impossible once you've made eye contact with someone. This scenario has already happened a few times.

Realistically a split type curtain would be the less awful appearing in my opinion.

I have fully paned clear glass double doors so I don't have a comment here about lack of privacy as I have a two story (you may as well) yet I'm always dressed when on my first floor.

Yet, I can't help but comment :)

What you have is minimal, "peek" view to me. If you have privacy issues which I respect and know many do then you might invest in a solid door or lights up high on the door. Otherwise use a frosted spray done by a person who can do it well to the clear portion naturally they would know to tape off the door and protect if from the, "frosting" spray.

I have used the frosted spray in a few different places. If it is done carefully, it is very lowkey and doesn't look tacky. If you don't like it, it can be removed fairly easily.

In locations where houses front directly on the sidewalk or street, I have seen bands of frosted glass at eye level. It is easy to look out through a half inch gap, but quite difficult for a casual passerby to see in.

i have a similar glass on my front doors. people can't 'see' in very well. And how many people do you really have standing right against your glass to look in???

leave it. trying to paint it or frost it will look tacky.

If it really bothers you, save up and get a new panel

Surprisingly quite a few people knocking on my door, it's difficult to describe unless you're in my position and have experienced it. Either way I want to be comfortable in my own home and I was looking to see if anyone had any solutions that I was unaware of to fix this problem without it looking tacky but I see there is really none so I'm going to replace to panels.

make sure you end up with a peep hole or adjacent window that you can see who is at the door before you open it.

Is the door wood or fiberglass?

From the looks of it Carolina it is a steel door, with the typical plastic sandwhich frame surround. Janet if you are going to replace the glass be 100% certain on the size as they are not interchangeable brand to brand. And you will end up having tp purchase the plastic surround regardless of the brand.

No one can really see that much, as the clear parts are beveled and everything is distorted. It's a beautiful door. I had a stained glass panel custom made to fit the side window in a former home. Honestly, if I'm not expecting someone, I don't answer the door, no matter if they see my car in the driveway or me in the house. You don't ever HAVE to open your door to anyone. They will eventually give up and go away. But if you are that nervous about someone seeing you, then change to a solid, not so pretty, door.

Millworkman, I'd also advise her to find out, if possible, who made the door and when it was made. That might make the search easier if she can go back to the original manufacturer. Or if she knows which building supply sold it to her contractor.

No doubt Carolina.

You could add an ODL Add-On Blind to the existing door glass insert.

I understand Janet’s concern as people would look in the windows to either side of my front door. I had a glass company change the window panes to opaque glass.

Last resort if you don't want to obstruct the glass with a spray or film or replacement is you can install, "Ring" if you have Wifi. Then, you can see whom ever is at your door on your phone or computer immediately and tell them no thank you or, "I'll be right there to let you in". Just a thought!

I had a man put window tint on my door and sidelights. it was the reflective type. during the day, with sun shining on the door, it was a mirror finish. I always saw people trying to look in my front door while waiting for me to answer. now I could watch them and not answer if I didn’t know them. the only drawback is at night. it has the opposite effect if you turn an indoor light on at the door - you can’t see out. I always put outdoor lights on and didn’t light up my foyer so i could still see who was outside.

I know this is a n old post, but if you're looking for a solution still, Plaid makes a stained glass paint that is easy to use, brush on and rather opaque. it's doesn't look tacky, but very nice. I've bought it at craft stores.