We recently did obscure glass in both our bathroom windows and ditched the window coverings entirely--really loving it. Depends on whether you sometimes want to be able to enjoy the view, though. (We're in an urban area so there isn't much view to speak of, though on one double-hung window we did the entire thing in obscure glass, and on the other we left the top panel clear because it is not really situated in a way that it's possible to see in--kept the bottom obscure just in case. It brightened up the rooms considerably.

Sometimes I think I've heard plenty of crazy things to last me a lifetime ... and then I hear one more!

"We are not allowed top down blinds in Canada."

Really? Is there an undercover top-down-blinds police that is on the prowl for rule breakers!!

I love my bottom-up/top-down blinds and would still find a way to get them, if someone told me I couldn't have them! ;-)

You can just get regular glass and use privacy film on the lower part of the windows. I have a door in my laundry room that my neighbors can see. It has 3 panes of glass, so I put privacy film on the 2 lower panes and kept the top one open. Works great. Easy to put on and easy to take off if I change my mind.

Chispa…I am thinking of having a relative bring me some from US. But honestly even handypeople are not eager to install due to liability. Nuts, eh?!!

FWIW it looks like the ban in Canada is specifically around corded shades, for child safety. You can get some top down/bottom up shades that comply without cords. (The company where we got our shades has a page of compliant options for Canadian customers.) That said--I wouldn't put cellular shades in a wet area anyway. Do you anticipate ever wanting to be able to close them completely, or would it always just be about obscuring the view for privacy? That might guide your options. (In my bedroom, for instance, I want shades that obscure the view but allow light in during the day, and at night I need them to completely block the light. In my bathroom, I only need them to obscure the view, and never need to darken the room.)

You could also do pretty cafe curtains. They should give you all the privacy you need, light and a view.

WESTFIELD · More Info

House in Sonoma · More Info

Greenwich Residence · More Info

I like to open the window when weather permits. Is there a rule of thumb as to how high second floor window coverings should be? I’d like as much light as possible while still having bathroom privacy. Ironically I have no idea if anyone out back can even see into the bathroom. We’re a double lot from the houses that back on to us.

Honestly in that situation I doubt anyone can see in--we tested ours since we live in an urban area with small lots, and it was a real reach to see even at 50 feet from the house, in part because of how windows align and how far apart the buildings are. You'd pretty much have to be trying, and even then you could really only see clearly at night when the lights were on in the bathroom. Where we put the obscure glass in both window sashes, it was mainly because you can see into that window from our own back deck--and even then all you can see is the vanity. You might try walking to your lot line and having someone stand in the bathroom to see whether it's even an issue to worry about before spending too much energy on it.

Have never had any issues with HD Duette cellular shades in any bathroom ... have used them in all the bathrooms in several houses in different states.

I put Squid Fabric Film on my front door + back slider. Light comes through while obscuring views of the interior. Works perfectly for me, but you have to like the austere look