apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'd go with curtains too in a thinish material so that they are not too bulky when pulled back. Nice place, by the way.

Ikea do panel curtains which seem to be for exactly this kind of situation. http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/categories/departments/Textiles/10702/ See if one of these might work for you.

Love the space. There is static cling window frosting. I'm certain you could find it in larger sizes for your doors. Just google it.

Great space! I think I would play with a cable rod (lined up just under the transom) and some gauzy sheers on the interior of the bedroom.
Out of curiosity, what system did you use for the glass door panels? I'm looking to do something similar in my own home. Thanks!

i agree with everyone else. the ikea track curtains are great. affordable and would almost hang in line with the existing glass panelling.

The static cling window frosting is great idea also as long as it was easy to align and take down when you had to. Have you considered a more permanent frosting on two of the panels? i think that would be MY preference. then you can have them arranged to provide max. privacy.. or not privacy.

I think frosting the glass would look great. Here is an online retailer of frosted window film that is removable: http://www.windowfilmworld.com/frosted_privacy_film.html

While it can be removed, I'm not sure it is something to just throw on when guests are coming over, however the film does allow plenty of light to shine through it so keeping the film up on a regular basis would probably not hinder the atmosphere you are going for.

i would go with lime or plain yellow curtains.

either on a wire or on panels.

Great space! I think I would try mounting a tension cable rod (lined up under the transom) and some gauzy sheers on the interior of the bedroom. Bright white would be fantastic, but you could always change them out if you feel like it.
Out of curiosity, what door system did you use? I've been looking to do something similar in my own home. Thanks!

What about shoji paper?
http://www.eshoji.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=E&gclid=CIeD5u_SjJwCFQRM5QodJkZZZg

opps, meant to say shoji paper applied directly to the glass doors. I used acrylic polymer to apply rice paper to the panels of a french door once, it looked great and when I moved it was easy to remove with a razor.

A canopy bed adds a layer of privacy, without dividing your space. You could use gauzy curtains to avoid blocking the light.

There are a number of modern-looking canopy beds if the old-fashioned kind doesn't appeal to you. Some options:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-similar-canopy-bed-but-for-less-020729

Adding curtains or window film to your glass partitions seems to undermine the whole point of the glass walls, no?

I used the cling frosted window film on the french door in my bathroom, and I've been really pleased with the results. Way less bulky than curtains, lets in ton of light, and very private.

Best of luck on your lovely space.

yes, the window film would be my choice. I did this on my front door and in my bathroom and I love that it's clean, let's light in, gives privacy all without the clutter of curtains. I actually used a textured contact paper $3 a roll, looks awesome.

The idea of a film on the glass is a good one. However might I propose that you find one that provides the privacy you are looking for, but just use it as a band in the middle of the glass doors leaving it clear above and below....maybe start 18"AFF and end at 60"AFF. This will allow you privacy when you are in bed lying down or even standing up getting dressed, but still allow views above and below through the room.

I think that due to size and feel of the apartmant, and your need for more privacy without sacrificing light and visual openness I would definetely go for the frost film on the glass.

And to make it more interesting, how about customizing it by cutting patterns the whole length, there are endless ideas on this (you can do simple lines, or across, or more elaborate, like some wallpapers...) and it will still give privacy (not showing much of what's going on in the bedroom) but still clearly showing there is something behind the class.

I used to live in a very similar space and I used capiz shell curtains. They still let the light through and added a bit of movement & interest behind the glass, but gave the illusion of separate space and a bit of extra privacy without cutting up the apartment.

Curtains of any kind might be too much for such a small space. Sheer blinds maybe. Or ricepaper, which would add a little texture and warmth.

Privacy film seems like the easiest and most practical solution, though. Even the frosted kind comes in a lot of different patterns: striped, checkered, etc. This place has a lot of options that seem like they'd work for your place.

I like the idea of a canopy bed, as curtains or film would seem to undo the effect you're creating with the glass. But rather than buying a canopy bed, I'd suspend some pipes down from the ceiling and hang the curtains from that - pulled back to the four corners when not in use.

Oooh, I like Lisa's idea of the canopy bed if that's enough privacy for you. It looks like you've got the ceiling height for it. Maybe instead of an actual canopy bed you can install track curtains around it.

Seriously? You chose to put up glass for the very good reasons listed and NOW you want privacy? If you asked this question before you installed the glass doors, i would have suggested glass blocks or a half-wall half-glass. But now you have what you have, so put up some sheers.
Sorry, I'm living in crabsville today.

Hey quick question, where did you get those sliding glass panels from?

Why not do the frosted glass, but only on the lower two thirds? That way it hides your bed and any mess, but still lets the light and view to the window through to the rest of the apartment?

ikea sells the film. you can find it in the curtain drapery section.

I like Deeliscious's idea . . . frost the lower 2/3's of the glass. You could even put a small or simple pattern between the two to give it a little personality.

I was thinking like Deeliscious, too...frosted (or paper-covered) the lower part of your glass to hide the bed, let in light and keep the sense of space in your apartment.

If you tend to have guests and often need privacy while changing, etc., I would go with an opaque curtain for just those occasions. But keeping it closed and making that space even smaller would drive me crazy.

I really like the idea of a canopy bed. I never would've thought of it, and it's not my usual style. But your space could use some softness, and plain white curtains on a canopy bed might provide that (if you can keep it from looking too cutesy). I also think plain white semi-sheers on a cable across the doors, lightweight enough to push entirely against the wall, would work well.

I'm worried that frosting on the glass would make the whole place look more like a giant walk-in shower, what with the tile floor and the kitchen that is small enough to look like a bathroom vanity.

I haven't had much luck with the frosted film (although I'm sure a bit part was user error) in the past. In an old house I rented with some friends I actually had a glass bedroom door that I covered with rice paper using a few tiny pieces of removable tape. Having tried both options I liked the rice paper best because it had more of an organic feel adding warmth and texture. Good luck!

Out of curiosity, is there a reason you didn't have the glass doors frosted to begin with? I'm curious because depending on your reason it may not make sense to cover the glass.

I don't understand why you installed clear glass in the first place. Even with solid doors, you would have kept the light by leaving them open and gotten privacy by closing them.

I agree with those who suggested that you frost the glass, though I'd frost all of it as it will still let light through and you can always open them if you want even more light.

I gotta ask the question:

If someone lives alone in a 322 sq/ft space, what/who is she seeking privacy from?

That said - With the current setup, frosted glass would have been the way to go, so window film would be the best answer...

...However, were I in her place I would have built the kitchen area into an armoire instead of installing glass panels - which combined w/ the tile floors look to me like a large bathroom w/ a bed in the shower - and I don't know that frosted glass, canopy beds or even draperies will ever resolve that issue.

have to agree with deelicious and dustin. frosted glass application but not on the entire door. i was also thinking the "band" and 2/3rds down idea! great links here from everyone for retailer sites!

I'd have done frosted glass. All of the privacy with none of the sacrifice of light. Plus you can benefit from all that thermal gain in the colder months.

I don't know how this works, if you can make your already existing glass doors do it, or if you need to install special glass but....

I saw a bathroom in Amsterdam a few years ago that was clear when vacant and frosted when locked.

I found this website but haven't read it:
http://www.innovativeglasscorp.com/features.htm

good luck!

I agree with the general thought of sheer curtains.

Emily

Your glass partition is great. It conveys the illusion of separation but keeps the light quality. For privacy you might consider two other options. You could install a curtain wire and dress it with "curtains" made of small industrial metal balls. They provide movement and interest. Instead of this option, you could stand a tall pole with a swing arm against the wall and drape the industrial metal ball curtains from the swing arm. Against the wall, the curtains look like a sculpture. Move the swing arm and the curtain provides privacy. If you don't like the idea of an industrial look, you could use almost any type of drape but something with movement appears sculptural and well as practical. Let us know what you decide to do and good luck! Lynn

On why she might want privacy.....

We don't typically invite all visitors, dates, the cable guy, the landlord, study groups, etc, to our bedrooms.......a studio apartment is just a bedroom, really.

Obscuring the view of the bed will make her and her guests more comfortable......and will help prevent rude friends from sprawling on her bed.

And if she has an overnight guest in the "livingroom", privacy will spare everyone the embarrassment of being an "ugly sleeper".

I don't look like Sleeping Beauty when I sleep. I look and act like the dragon.

I don't spit fire, though.........I just drool, LOL

Frosted glass is a great idea, but only do it as far up from the floor as you need to hide the bed. In fact, you might get rid of the headboard and make the bed even lower so there is a minimum of frosted glass needed. I don't agree with floor to ceiling curtains. You'll lose the light from the window and the feeling of space that the area above the bed gives you.

Do square vinyl cut-outs! You can get them in virtually ANY color, and it's as easy as going to your local sign shop. Set them about an 1" or 2" apart and add a pop of color to your glass door and add privacy with still a bit of visibility!

I would mount a set of fabric or paper shades on the inside of your bedroom, hidden by the beam between the transom windows and the glass doors. They have lots of variations available, some that lower from the top or bottom or some that have a two settings, one to let light through and one to block it. The shades would be super easy to lower for unxpected guests, yet out of the way when not in use.

Have you thought about installing vertical blinds? This may sound really outdated, but there are some very stylish ones out their. Some light wood-colored or white one's would look nice. They also come in shear colors too. When they're open, you can probably strap them to the wall, so they're less noticeable. Anyways, good luck!

How about the solar mesh panels?
http://tinyurl.com/klpxvc

When they overlap, they sort of create a wood-grain pattern.

They come in white, ivory, graphite, and brown.

Also I imagine having solid glass helps with cooking fumes, which is essential if you don't want your sheets to smell like stir fry. Her choice makes perfect sense to me.

Folding screen.

How about plain old fashioned roller blinds, in white? Mount them to the inside. Cheap, neutral, you can even hide the fixtures behind a valance of some sort. Pull 'em down when you want privacy, raise them when you're alone.

Your space is great. I like the glass panels very much. I get that you want to keep the cooking smells out of your sleeping area; ergo, the glass panels. I get that. Nevertheless, when you have hang out time with people at your pad, you want the bedroom to be a bit of a mystery; ergo, the privacy factor.

I agree with Dustin's suggestion for a vinyl cling that will strategically cover part of the glass. A simple wide band would work beautifully. Don't frost the glass or put any chemical or other permanent applications onto it. Use a vinyl cling that can be removed. You you find that the vinyl cling gives you options: color, pattern, texture, variety, light, that you will never achieve with a permanent application.

Good luck. Great space and I'm glad to hear you cook at home.

we have frosted glass 'the band' on our inner offices at work & it allows plenty of light from the outer offices to enter the inner offices. a 'band' would give you privacy to get changed & sleep, yet let quite a bit of light in. for example, i have even changed a shirt in my inner office & no one could see me and your band could be much bigger then my office one becuase your ceiling is taller. this way you would have to deal with removing plastic - you could just keep the band in place. someone came to put it on our glass walls. it took them a few minutes. i think the curtains would make your place seem too small.
-jlb

A hospital-style track attached to the ceiling with a gauzy white curtain seems like the most elegant solution, although the pipes over the kitchen unit will get in the way and you won't be able to close them completely.

I too question why privacy is an issue. The "living room" isn't big enough for overnight guests, and given that the furniture seems to consist of a single large armchair any visitor is going to have to sit on the bed anyway.

change the glass to those that can turn foggy with a click of a remote. like office windows.

you could use sliding panels of fabric, or even sliding panels of paper to let in light.

One thing to keep in mind is that with only one window, no matter what is put up, people will be drawn to that window. They're not necessarily trying to invade your bed, they would be naturally drawn to the window no matter what was in that space.

From what I can see, it's very sparse, and there is nothing for people (guests) to DO. So they would head for the window to comment on the view or on what is going on outside.

Making it clear that guests should NOT gravitate towards the window will subtly suggest that guests are NOT welcome. At all. Nobody wants to sit in a stark cubicle with nothing to do.

No matter what size, those of us in studios have learned to deal with all kinds of scents...the good, the bad, and the ugly.

One of the biggest improvements (I assume you own the place) might have been to have an exhaust fan installed over the kitchenette area, incorporated into small upper cabinets. With the ducting running through a created/built "box" which would be over the current pipes, hiding those pipes, but being still accessible through doors of the "box".

In addition, having lighting installed on the underside of the cabinets and box.

This would give you flow through ventilation, from the window, to the kitchen, up through the exhaust, back towards the window and vented at the top of the window.

I might have gone for a single Murphy bed, IN the kitchen area, really. Like this:
http://www.bdaley.ca/bdaley3.htm

And then the living and dining is done in the glassed window area, which could be quite charming.

I found this older image showing a neat unit for a loft, thought you might like the images of the sheer curtains on the sides:
http://mocoloco.com/archives/002092.php

sandblast a portion of the glass. a simple band towards the lower half would work... the frosted glass look will provide privacy while maintaining a clean look in a small space

Hang scrim

See also:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/good-questions/how-can-i-give-the-bedroom-more-privacy-good-questions-092904