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How Can I Give the Bedroom More Privacy?
Good Questions

081309divider1.jpgQ - This is my "work-in-progress," 322-sq. foot studio mainly used as a "bunker" for city life, and is occasionally shared with a boyfriend who sleeps over sometimes. The sliding glass dividers are a new addition, and are completely modular (they can closed, completely opened, and can be moved to whichever side)...

 
 

081309divider2.jpgI use them to close off the bedroom when I cook one-pot meals in the compact kitchen (partially shown in photo). I chose completely clear glass, as I did not want to make the already small space look even smaller. Also, I did not want to obstruct the natural light from the one and only window.

My question is: How can I give the bedroom more privacy? Curtains are the obvious choice, but are there other lower-maintenance options? Are there non-permanent frosted glass stickers that I can easily put up when guests suddenly come over, and remove after they have left?

Sent by Ingrid


Editor - Ingrid, sounds like you might want something like this static cling window film. We have something similar in our kitchen and it has worked out great at providing privacy where we once had a face to face windows situation with our neighbor. Here are some additional window privacy solutions that might help your situation:

Got a good question you'd like answered? Send your queries and a photo or two illustrating your question, and we'll see if the Apartment Therapy LA team or our readers can help answer your question.

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Comments (19)

You could install some motorized blinds hidden behind a soffit but the pipes may be an obstacle.

posted by 7yler on August 13th 2009 at 9:17pm
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Or even regular white medium weight sheers on a cable cutain "rod" (like they sell in ikea).

Gorgeous glass sliding doors, by the way :-)

posted by modern on long island on August 13th 2009 at 11:01pm
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Along the same line as blinds, I was thinking roller shades. It could ruin the clear glass/minimal aesthetic, but it might be more functional than adding and removing window clings all the time. There are some nice Chilwich ones here:

http://www.theshadestore.com/product/roller-shade-chilewich?prcid=845346

If you did decide to go the curtain route, you can get very lightweight/gauzy curtains that are thin enough to really be tucked into a tight space when opened. You wouldn't block any of your light. I'm thinking parachute material thin.

Good Luck!

posted by MochiHome on August 13th 2009 at 11:04pm
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Already posted this question, last week or the week before!

posted by mschatelaine on August 14th 2009 at 2:42am
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Maybe she didnt like the answers the last time it was posted?

posted by sassydo on August 14th 2009 at 5:43am
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How about doing some sliding panels from the shade store?

Like these....

http://www.theshadestore.com/category/drapery/panel-glide-system/selected_index/1

Good Luck! Email me if you need further help.

-Karen
karen@cheekyliving.com
www.cheekyliving.com

posted by cheekyliving on August 14th 2009 at 7:01am
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uhh we saw this already.

posted by lcd411 on August 14th 2009 at 7:40am
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Once again raising the question of whether the people who write for this blog actually read it.

posted by gussiespink on August 14th 2009 at 8:06am
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haha yea, submitted by 2 different contributors. whatevs, moving on. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20079342
are the most unobtrusive way i have found to hang nice gauzy curtains all the way to thick unbleached muslin and as simple as clip clip clip.

posted by ubertimmo on August 14th 2009 at 8:31am
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This is a very cool space.

I'm not sure what you want privacy from when you have guests. I can only assume that you feel it's a bit personal for people to see your bed in the open when they visit so I'll go with that.

You may be able to feel quite a bit more comfortable by making your bed up in a different more "finished" way. I understand that it may feel a bit too intimate for people to see the sheets and pillows that you sleep on.

Give this a try, and see how it feels. It will cost you nothing.

Stow the pillows you sleep on out of sight. (It's amazing how small a space you can fold your pillows into)

Pull your duvet up and tuck in all the sides around to give a tight,tailored, upholstered look. Then use decorative pillows at the top of the bed.

If you like it you could invest in a large bolster for finish the top of the bed.

This way your bed will look finely finished and pleasing to the eye, but in now way reflects how you spend time in it.

I hope this helps. This is a great space the way it is, open and airy. Good Luck!

posted by stt64 on August 14th 2009 at 8:39am
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yes. already posted.

posted by jeffnyc on August 14th 2009 at 8:52am
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You would think that if we are reading this site every day from top to bottom, that the people WORKING here would do the same thing...

posted by mjr on August 14th 2009 at 11:17am
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electrochromic glass baby! turns dark at the flip of a switch. soooooo sophisticated sexy. $$$$

http://gizmodo.com/190931/electrochromic-glass-instant-darkening

posted by tredeger on August 14th 2009 at 11:55am
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The apt. is gorgeous! I have no idea how to privatize the sleeping area. I know I'm no help, but I had to comment on the space.

posted by babydoll on August 14th 2009 at 12:39pm
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Ditto MJR--

...and it still looks to me like a huge shower with a bed inside.

posted by bepsf on August 14th 2009 at 4:31pm
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Cool space. What about this idea...permanently frost the bottom half of the glass.

posted by summerhme on August 14th 2009 at 11:55pm
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Instead of a permanent frosting, what about those fabulous swedish and french decals? They can stick onto walls and be removed when you no longer want them or want a change. Whatever color or design you chose, they would great on those sliding doors. Lots of people selling them now. But check Modern Wall Graphics for some nice ones.

posted by deabs8 on August 16th 2009 at 3:28pm
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bepfs: You nailed it. I couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong with this arrangement before.

Why not mirror the living room side of the glass? That way, you'll get privacy, visually double your living space, and be in the vanguard of resurrecting another '80s trend!

posted by slowdown on August 16th 2009 at 11:28pm
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