Finding the Right Shutters & Blinds for French Doors

Abi Clewley

BY Abi Clewley

Published: 03 October 2023 Updated: 30 September 2024

French door dressing ideas

French doors are a timeless addition to any home, offering an easy transition between indoor living spaces and the outdoors while still allowing your interior to benefit from natural light. They bring a touch of classic elegance, but to truly make the most of these doors, you need the right window treatments to allow the doors to be both beautiful and practical. Let’s explore the factors to consider, and the best options available.

Benefits of French door dressings

You may think that you'd prefer to keep your French door clear of any type of covering, to really see the door in all its glory, but don't underestimate the multitude of benefits that blinds and shutters can bring to your French door.

Close up of dining table and chairs on jute rug over ceramic tiled floor with doors and windows dressed in white roller blinds.

Light at French doors

With blinds, you can enjoy a sunny ambience during the day and create a cosy, private atmosphere in the evening. French door shutters offer similar benefits, allowing you to adjust the louvres to direct light where you want it for a softer filtering effect or fully open them to let light flow into the room. Unlike standard windows, French doors have multiple glass areas, so you need solutions that offer greater flexibility and versatility.

open plan living-dining room with floor to ceiling windows and doors left and rear, pale wood floor, neutral walls, wooden contemporary dining set, beige contemporary sofa, door open, all doors and windows dressed in pale grey duette blinds half lowered.)

French door privacy

Both blinds and shutters offer excellent privacy, making them perfect for rooms that require seclusion. French doors, often facing gardens, can still be overlooked, so privacy solutions are essential. Blinds provide a quick and easy way to ensure privacy, while shutters add an additional sense of security, fully blocking the view when closed and creating a snug and secure feeling in your home.

Close in of a pale grey bedroom with grey bed and white tracked shutters folded partially back, louvres open.

French doors and energy efficiency

Well-designed blinds and shutters can help regulate indoor temperature by providing insulation against heat and cold. This is especially important for doors, which can be more draughty and frequently opened compared to windows. Blinds can offer insulation benefits by trapping air between the fabric and the glass, while shutters provide a solid barrier that keeps your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Both options help to enhance your home's energy efficiency and potentially reduce utility bills.

Open plan lounge diner glass gable end extension with white wood table and chairs, sofa with throws, and grey Duette blinds to doors and windows and angled roof windows.

Styles for French doors

French door blinds and shutters come in various materials and styles, allowing you to choose the one that complements your interior décor. From the vast range of fabrics, colours, and textures available for blinds to the sophisticated elegance of shutters, you can find a solution that enhances your home's aesthetic. Shutters add a touch of sophistication with options for different colours, paints, stains, or natural oils, creating a look that's both individual and stylish.

Rectangular conservatory with dark wood floor, pale grey L-shaped sofa, large rug and leafy plant in pot by door with pale lilac roller blinds on side windows and off-white pleated blinds in roof.

French door dressing durability

Shutters are known for their durability and can withstand wear and tear, making them a long-term investment. While the initial cost may be higher, shutters can be more cost-effective over time. Blinds, while not as long-lasting as shutters, still offer good durability depending on the material and quality. Both options provide reliable solutions for French doors that can withstand daily use.

Close in through open tracked door shutters on a room with a gable end window, also dressed in white tracked shutters, closed with louvres open.

Summary

In conclusion, French door blinds and shutters are essential additions to enhance the beauty, functionality, and comfort of your home. By carefully considering your needs and style preferences, you can select the perfect window treatments for your French doors. Whether you choose blinds for their versatility or shutters for their timeless elegance, these solutions will transform your living space and make your French doors even more enchanting. And with Thomas Sanderson, you can trust in our expertise to deliver window treatments that exceed your expectations.

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