Once my bathroom window faced directly into my neighbor’s kitchen.
Like, directly.
We made eye contact while I was brushing my teeth, and I wanted to melt into the floor.
For weeks, I kept the blinds shut completely, and my bathroom felt like a dungeon—dark, gloomy, and honestly a little depressing for getting ready in the morning.
I knew there had to be a better way.
Turns out, you don’t have to choose between privacy and natural light.
After trying (and returning) way too many window treatments, I finally cracked the code on bathroom curtains that let the sunshine pour in while keeping everything private.
Here’s everything I learned.
Design Your Dream Room in Minutes! – By Madison
🏡 Start Creating FREE →Sheer Curtains with a Privacy Lining
Sheer curtains sound like the opposite of privacy, I know.
But hear me out.
When you layer a sheer curtain with a semi-opaque lining or choose a double-layer sheer, you get this beautiful, filtered light that feels so soft and spa-like.
I found mine at a home store, and they have this gorgeous white linen-look texture that glows when the sun hits it.
The trick is finding sheers that are specifically designed for bathrooms—they’re usually labeled as “privacy sheers” or “light-filtering with opacity.”
What I love is how they diffuse the light instead of blocking it.
My bathroom feels bright and airy all day, but nobody can see a single silhouette from outside.
I hung mine on a tension rod (no drilling!), and it took maybe ten minutes.
If you want that breezy, elegant look without sacrificing your privacy, this is it.
Pro tip: Go for white or cream tones—they reflect the most light back into the room and make everything feel bigger.
💭 I Wrote a Book About My BIGGEST Decorating Mistakes!
When I decorated my first home, I thought I knew what I was doing. Spoiler alert: I DIDN’T. 😅
💸 I bought a sofa that was WAY TOO BIG for my living room. I chose paint colors that looked amazing in the store but terrible on my walls. I spent THOUSANDS on pieces that didn’t work together. Sound familiar?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before I Decorated My First Home” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my costly mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, NO-NONSENSE advice that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of decorating regret. 🏡
Frosted or Textured Window Film
This one was a total game-changer for my guest bathroom.
Window film is like a peel-and-stick privacy solution that you apply directly to the glass.
It mimics the look of frosted or etched glass, and honestly, it’s so chic.
I went with a subtle rice-paper texture, and it looks like it came with the house.
The best part?
You still get tons of natural light because the film is translucent, not opaque.
It just blurs everything on the other side, so you get total privacy without the darkness.
Installation was easier than I expected—just spray the window with soapy water, smooth the film on, and squeegee out the bubbles.
I did it myself in under an hour, and I’m not exactly handy.
If you’re renting or don’t want to commit to curtains, this is perfect.
You can remove it later without damaging the glass.
I also love that it doesn’t take up any visual space—no rods, no fabric, just clean lines.
If you want a modern, minimalist vibe, window film is the move.
Design Your Dream Room in Minutes! – By Madison
🏡 Start Creating FREE →Top-Down Bottom-Up Cellular Shades
Okay, these sound fancy, but they’re actually super practical.
Cellular shades (also called honeycomb shades) have this unique design where you can lower them from the top or raise them from the bottom.
So you can keep the bottom half of your window covered for privacy, and let light pour in from the top.
I installed these in my master bath, and I’m obsessed.
During the day, I pull down the top section, and the bathroom fills with light from above—no one can see in, but I’m not sitting in the dark.
The cellular design also adds a little insulation, which is a bonus if your bathroom gets cold in the winter.
They come in light-filtering or blackout options, and I went with light-filtering because I wanted that soft glow.
The cordless lift system is sleek and safe, and it looks really polished.
If you want flexibility and control over exactly where the light comes in, these are brilliant.
They’re a bit of an investment, but worth every penny for the function and style.
💭 I Wrote a Book About My BIGGEST Decorating Mistakes!
When I decorated my first home, I thought I knew what I was doing. Spoiler alert: I DIDN’T. 😅
💸 I bought a sofa that was WAY TOO BIG for my living room. I chose paint colors that looked amazing in the store but terrible on my walls. I spent THOUSANDS on pieces that didn’t work together. Sound familiar?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before I Decorated My First Home” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my costly mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, NO-NONSENSE advice that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of decorating regret. 🏡
Café Curtains (The Classic Half-Window Look)
Café curtains are having a moment again, and I’m here for it.
They cover just the lower half of your window, so the top stays open and lets in all that gorgeous natural light.
I hung a simple white linen café curtain in my powder room, and it’s the perfect combo of vintage charm and modern simplicity.
What I love is how much light still floods the space.
You get privacy where it matters most—at eye level and below—but the upper window is free and clear.
It’s especially great if you have a window that faces a walkway or driveway.
You can find café curtains with a rod pocket or clip rings, and installation is crazy easy.
I used a small tension rod halfway up my window frame, and it’s totally removable.
If you want to add a little personality, look for subtle textures—linen, cotton waffle weave, or even a soft stripe.
Just keep it light in color so it doesn’t absorb the sunshine.
This style works beautifully in farmhouse, cottage, or traditional bathrooms.
Bamboo or Woven Wood Shades
If you’re going for that organic, spa-inspired bathroom, woven wood shades are stunning.
I installed bamboo shades in my guest bath last year, and they completely transformed the vibe.
The natural texture adds so much warmth, and because the material is woven, light filters through in this really beautiful, dappled way.
You get privacy because the weave obscures the view, but you don’t lose the brightness.
I went with a light honey-toned bamboo, and it pairs perfectly with white tiles and greenery.
The key is choosing a tighter weave if privacy is your main concern—looser weaves let in more light but are slightly less private.
Some woven shades also come with a privacy liner you can add, which is genius.
They’re easy to clean (just dust them), and they hold up really well in humid bathrooms.
I love that they feel earthy and elevated at the same time.
If you want a natural, textured look that still lets the sunshine in, these are perfect.
💭 I Wrote a Book About My BIGGEST Decorating Mistakes!
When I decorated my first home, I thought I knew what I was doing. Spoiler alert: I DIDN’T. 😅
💸 I bought a sofa that was WAY TOO BIG for my living room. I chose paint colors that looked amazing in the store but terrible on my walls. I spent THOUSANDS on pieces that didn’t work together. Sound familiar?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before I Decorated My First Home” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my costly mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, NO-NONSENSE advice that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of decorating regret. 🏡
Design Your Dream Room in Minutes! – By Madison
🏡 Start Creating FREE →Shutter Panels with Adjustable Louvers
Plantation shutters aren’t just for living rooms—they’re incredible in bathrooms.
I had custom shutters installed in my main bath, and they’re hands down my favorite window treatment I’ve ever owned.
The adjustable louvers let you control exactly how much light comes in and at what angle.
During the day, I tilt them open to let the sun stream in, but because of the angle, no one can see inside.
At night, I close them completely for total privacy.
They’re also moisture-resistant (if you get the right material—vinyl or composite works best for bathrooms), and they last forever.
The look is so clean and classic.
I went with white shutters, and they make my bathroom feel like a boutique hotel.
Yes, they’re an investment, but they add real value to your home and never go out of style.
If you’re planning to stay in your place for a while, shutters are worth considering.
They’re also great if you hate dealing with fabric or cords—just tilt and go.
Linen Curtains in Light Neutrals
There’s something about linen that just feels right in a bathroom.
It’s soft, textured, and has this effortless elegance that I can’t get enough of.
I hung lightweight linen curtains in my bathroom last spring, and the way they filter light is absolutely dreamy.
Linen naturally has a bit of opacity, so even though it’s a light fabric, it still gives you privacy during the day.
At night, you might want to pair it with a shade or blinds if your bathroom is well-lit inside, but during daylight hours, it’s perfect on its own.
I chose an oatmeal color, and it glows when the morning sun hits it.
The fabric also adds this cozy, lived-in feel that makes the bathroom so much more inviting.
Linen does wrinkle, but honestly, that’s part of the charm—it’s not supposed to look crisp and stiff.
Make sure to choose a lighter weave if you want maximum light, and hang them high and wide to make your window feel larger.
If you want a relaxed, organic vibe with plenty of brightness, linen is the way.
💭 I Wrote a Book About My BIGGEST Decorating Mistakes!
When I decorated my first home, I thought I knew what I was doing. Spoiler alert: I DIDN’T. 😅
💸 I bought a sofa that was WAY TOO BIG for my living room. I chose paint colors that looked amazing in the store but terrible on my walls. I spent THOUSANDS on pieces that didn’t work together. Sound familiar?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before I Decorated My First Home” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my costly mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, NO-NONSENSE advice that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of decorating regret. 🏡
Frosted Glass Spray (DIY Magic)
If you’re on a budget or love a good DIY project, frosted glass spray is surprisingly effective.
I used it on a small bathroom window in my old apartment, and it worked like a charm.
It’s literally just spray paint designed for glass that dries to a frosted, semi-opaque finish.
You can apply it in light coats to control the level of opacity—more coats mean more privacy, fewer coats mean more light.
I did about three coats, and it let in plenty of light while completely obscuring the view.
The application is easy: clean the glass, tape off the edges, and spray in thin, even layers.
Let it dry between coats, and you’re done.
It’s removable too, which is great for renters—you can scrape it off with a razor blade when you move out.
The finish isn’t as polished as adhesive film, but it’s a super affordable option if you’re working with a tight budget.
I spent maybe ten bucks, and it solved my privacy problem in under an hour.
If you want a quick, cheap fix that actually works, give this a try.
Design Your Dream Room in Minutes! – By Madison
🏡 Start Creating FREE →Pleated Shades in White or Cream
Pleated shades are kind of underrated, in my opinion.
They’re simple, affordable, and they do exactly what you need them to do—filter light and give you privacy.
I have them in my kids’ bathroom, and they’ve held up really well.
The pleated fabric diffuses sunlight beautifully, so the room stays bright without being harsh.
You can get them in light-filtering or room-darkening options, and I always go with light-filtering for bathrooms.
They’re also super compact when you raise them, so they don’t take up much space or block the window frame.
Installation is easy—most come with brackets that you just screw into the window frame or wall.
I like the cordless versions because they’re cleaner looking and safer if you have little ones around.
They come in tons of colors, but I always stick with white or soft cream to maximize the light reflection.
If you want something functional, budget-friendly, and low-maintenance, pleated shades are a solid choice.
They’re not the most glamorous option, but they get the job done beautifully.
💭 I Wrote a Book About My BIGGEST Decorating Mistakes!
When I decorated my first home, I thought I knew what I was doing. Spoiler alert: I DIDN’T. 😅
💸 I bought a sofa that was WAY TOO BIG for my living room. I chose paint colors that looked amazing in the store but terrible on my walls. I spent THOUSANDS on pieces that didn’t work together. Sound familiar?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before I Decorated My First Home” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my costly mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, NO-NONSENSE advice that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of decorating regret. 🏡
Stained Glass Window Panels
Okay, this one’s a bit more decorative, but if you love color and personality, hear me out.
Stained glass panels (or even faux stained glass film) add such a unique, artistic touch to a bathroom window.
I have a small vintage-style stained glass panel in my powder room, and it’s a total conversation starter.
The colored glass lets in light but completely obscures the view, so you get privacy and a little piece of art at the same time.
The light that comes through is tinted and beautiful—it creates these little pools of color on the countertop and floor.
You can find vintage panels at flea markets or antique shops, or buy new ones online in all kinds of styles.
If you want a less permanent option, there are peel-and-stick stained glass films that look really convincing.
I installed one in my old rental, and it added so much character.
This option works best for smaller windows or accent windows where you want to make a statement.
It’s whimsical, charming, and totally functional.
If your bathroom could use a little more personality, this is such a fun way to go.
Tension Rod + Vintage Lace Panels
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
I picked up a vintage lace panel at a thrift store for like five bucks, and it’s been hanging in my bathroom ever since.
All I did was slide it onto a tension rod and pop it into the window frame—no tools, no commitment.
The lace lets in so much light, but because of the pattern, you can’t see through it at all.
It has this romantic, cottagecore vibe that I absolutely love.
Plus, vintage lace has that perfectly imperfect, lived-in quality that new curtains just don’t have.
If you’re into secondhand finds or want to add a little nostalgia to your space, this is such a charming option.
You can also find new lace panels online, but I love the hunt of thrifting.
The tension rod makes it totally removable and renter-friendly, which is a huge bonus.
And because lace is lightweight, it moves beautifully with the breeze if you crack the window open.
If you want something sweet, affordable, and full of charm, give vintage lace a try.
