Permanent sheer curtain. Or a curtain operated by a remote motor.

What can be seen driving by?

Our window isn't as big (3x5) but we hung up a leaded glass window. It is just enough that I don't feel like we live in a fish bowl.

Does anyone in your household not wear clothes while ascending or descending the stairs?

For a 4x4 window you can have a clear leaded glass window made to fit, but it depends on the style of your home. If you have the right home, you can hang a lace panel. You can also get window films that allow you to see out clearly but block the view looking in, if your house is more modern.

Hi thanks for the the input
The view is of our upstairs. Balcony and bedrooms hallway. We don’t feel comfortable having others looking in. Just a matter of privacy. Our house is modern. Def an option to consider what u suggested. Thanks

I have the same problem, not sure what to do. We already replaced the front door and will get curtains/ motorized shades for the windows. Not sure what to do with the window above the front door. You can see from the street our staircase and hallway.

We had clear 10 foot sidelights on our front door and we got them frosted. We opted for a professional film application for privacy. It still lets in a ton of light but gives us privacy.

We have a large picture window that faces our neighbours house and his office stares directly into our hallway. I hate it but I'm hesitant to change anything as the light is amazing and really we rarely see him so meh.

It is a catch 22 because if you add a shade or something it full changes the look. Now if you are going to open and close it then a roll down discreet privacy shade could work. There are tons of clean line options that fit modern decor.

On point!

My only solution was to get custom motorized privacy shade with a remote. I’m really only concerned about privacy at night when all the lights are on. Can anyone recommend a good/reliable brand of shades. I’ve looked and there’s a lot of options.

suppose i do motorized shades. what would that require on my end? im just about finishing up my house and going to paint, should i ask electric to put in an outlet or is that shade hardwired?

Good point, I didn’t even think about that

https://www.hunterdouglas.ca/operating-systems/motorized/powerview-motorization

Hunter Douglas site implies most are battery powered so can be installed after the fact with ease.

Don’t use the battery operated shades. They use a ton of batteries and go through them like crazy. If you can get electric, do it.

Or the naked women standing at the top of the stairs. Lol.

Motorized shades are only really good if hardwired. The battery ones eat them alive. Then how are you gonna climb up to the top of a 20’ high window to change out 17 batteries behind the head rail of the blind?

great! so where on my plans would i prepare hardwiring. is it inside above the glass? below the side? i cant install shades until im living there.

Hunter Douglas is a huge brand and they state most of theirs are battery operated right on the it site. Why wouldn’t they be recommending hard wiring if it was so much better?

The batteries last less than 6 weeks, with minimal use. It’s not like a TV remote. They have to actually operate a motor. The bigger the blind, the bigger the battery drain, and the faster they wear out. It’s bad enough on a window that you can reach the head rail. Taking then apart to replace the batteries is a pain. Batteries for this are just another one of those sounds better than it is things. Hardwired is the only way to go.

Why wouldn’t they be recommending hard wiring if it was so much better?

My first thought was price point.

*If* battery-operated blinds cost less to manufacture (I haven't checked prices on anything, so I could be totally off base here), they can sell more of them. Most folks aren't concerned with longevity; the price of something *today* is more important than the cost of something over time.

Companies don't always recommend superior services or products, they often sell/recommend what consumers want the most.

The outside of your house is not modern. Find someone to create a stained or leaded glass window that compliments the style of your house

Here is some info on hard wiring for shades that might be helpful:

PlanningandWiringMotorizedWindowTreatments

I am currently working on a sheer fabric lined with a plain sheer fabric for 3 windows in an entry area with the upper balcony exposed by 6' x 6' palladian windows. My client does not require operational, just ability to remove for annual cleaning. The 'free hanging' shades will be installed with velcro around the half circle and with a weight bar in the bottom hem to keep it stationary. No photo yet because I am working on them. I used this method on other windows without arches in her home. It lets in light and still offers sufficient privacy. You can see a bit of the rectangular free hanging sheer lined with a sheer in one of my uploaded photos.

Private Residence Project · More Info

I would agree your house is not what I would call modern. But it could easily be more so what you call modern on the interior. Stained glass will completely change the space. If that is what you are hoping for then it’s worth it but a notarized blind or similar has the impact of being down when you want and up when you want. You are in control

I installed a mirror film for sun block and daytime privacy on my large street facing window. It looks fantastic from the street because I have black windows. I hired a local window coverings business to make a roller shade with an extra long cord that hangs way past the window and lets me manually lower it at night. The sales person said not to do a $500 remote shade because they last just about the 2 years that their warranty covers.

I have a Hunter Douglas battery operated shade on a 5’x5’ window that is used daily. Battery is still going strong after 7 months. Not sure where 6 weeks of battery life comes from.

Sheer curtain. If you have money to burn, have something stained glass made. They also make cheap tint that mimics stained glass or frosted designs, if you want to try it out

I have a transom window in a bathroom, and I didn't think about that you can see through it (sink/mirror part) when walking up the stairs. I've had some cheap HomeDepot stained glass looking tint crap on it for a year now since getting a real one made is low on my chore list haha. 100% private now but still lets light through

Here are the completed sheers lined with sheers (custom) that were installed yesterday in a home with three windows like yours. The really tricky part was getting them to fit around profile trim at the halfway part of window. They also had to be fabricated to be removed and re-installed for annual cleaning.

They sell a film you could put on the window.

an example...lots of patterns, etc.

https://artscape-inc.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnL7yBRD3ARIsAJp_oLZHjo1JEGxwuXeW2BT33vw9qJNomhlvyB8wETi-gxNmHnWXCKGfeWwaAqkLEALw_wcB

I would work with a privacy screen. Three panels set in front of the window by at least 3 feet in whatever metal pattern or wood if that fits your home better - the pattern diverts the passers eye but does not prevent light from coming into your home. Here is one that I like because it can go modern or traditional. Then plant boxes of evergreen vines in the front so they climb and cover the trellis -- you can use clematis (an evergreen kind ) or pomegranites or any number of roses. Or just leave as it is. These items are quite inexpensive if you google privacy screens - under $400 - installation and embellishment not includud.