16 French Door Curtain Ideas That Will Shine in Your Space

French doors are a beautiful architectural addition to any home. Sometimes, though, you may wish to cover their glass windows for maximal privacy and to block sunlight during harsh hours. It turns out that there are many directions in which you can go when choosing french door curtains, and we're sharing a few of our favorite options below.

01 of 16

A Classic Choice

@madisonsubry / Instagram

Feeling like something classic? Long beige panels adorn the french doors in this transitional style living room.

Continue to 2 of 16 below
02 of 16

Soft Tones

Everhem

"Make sure to mount the rod well above the window," notes Haley Weidenbaum, founder of window treatment retailer Everhem. "Go at least halfway between the top of the french doors and ceiling, but if you have tall windows, it's even better to go three quarters of the way between the top of the french doors and ceiling," she advises. Soft tan curtains by Everhem play to the natural tones present in this living space.

Continue to 3 of 16 below
03 of 16

Elegant Accent

Julian Design

Billie Marie Tharaldson of Julian Design offers a pointer when it comes to curtain installation. "Extend the rod past on the wall to keep the excess fabric off the operating french doors," she advises. "In this case, adding drapery to the door allowed for dining without the glare of the sun and added softness and elegance to polish off the room."

Continue to 4 of 16 below
04 of 16

Gray Camouflage

Jane Beiles for Design Lines Signature

These soft gray curtains practically blend right in with the wall color—function and subtly at its finest.

Continue to 5 of 16 below
05 of 16

Crisp White

Everhem

Not sure what curtain color to pick? You can always look toward your walls. These white Everhem drapes play to this bedroom's soothing design scheme.

Continue to 6 of 16 below
06 of 16

Coastal Shades

Jordan Reece for Nicole Manganello

For a coastal environment, woven blinds serve as a viable alternative to heavier curtains. These can easily be rolled up high to allow maximum sunlight into this airy room.

Continue to 7 of 16 below
07 of 16

Pattern Play

Werner Straube for Drake Interiors

Love pattern mixing? Have some fun introducing a new print into your space in curtain form. This checkered design is cheerful and charming and adds a dose of whimsy to this already colorful living space.

Continue to 8 of 16 below
08 of 16

Artful Embellishments

Chris Bradley Photography for M. Lavender Interiors

The curtain rods on these dining room french doors are a work of art on their own. Choosing embellishments like these is one way to make a room feel more sophisticated.

Continue to 9 of 16 below
09 of 16

Creamy and Chic

Everhem

Here, offwhite Everhem curtains blend seamlessly with this classic living room design. This "ripple fold" look is a designer favorite. "Whether it’s sheer or solid, this style is very streamlined which complements modern homes, and adds a wonderful textural element," designer Stephanie Brown says.

Continue to 10 of 16 below
10 of 16

Breezy Bliss

Jenifer McNeil Baker for Maestri Studio

Breezy white curtains add a laid back touch to this California cool abode. For french door curtains, I definitely recommend working with someone who specializes in drapery—I always do," designer Sarah Stacey advises. "That way, they can take measurements and make the drapes or shades for you. If you don't have that in your budget then you could go semi custom."

Continue to 11 of 16 below
11 of 16

A Bit of Contrast

Nathan Shroder Photography for Roz Murphy Design

"A trick I live by is: When in doubt, go with fabric that is a little darker than your wall color," Stacey adds. We see this concept exemplified in the above space by Roz Murphy Design.

Continue to 12 of 16 below
12 of 16

Blue and Green Beauty

Michael Hunter Photography for Kim Armstrong

Patterns are at play once again in this serene blue and green family room. The blue and white curtains covering the french door blend in with this color scheme perfectly.

Continue to 13 of 16 below
13 of 16

Gorgeous Greige

Chad Mellon for Lindye Galloway

In this primary bedroom, the french door curtains feature griege tones that match the area rug in the space, tying the room together.

Continue to 14 of 16 below
14 of 16

Long and Luxe

LifeCreated for Living with Lolo

Curtains can be customized to fit ultra tall windows, too! These cover the french doors and the expansive window above them, allowing for maximum privacy when desired. "The best window treatments for French doors should have a slim construction," notes Alton Tucker of Stoneside Blinds and Shades. "Keep in mind that a sizable valance, headrail, or fascia at the top of the door is likely to hit the wall when you open and close the door."

Continue to 15 of 16 below
15 of 16

Wall to Wall

Amy Bartlam for Kate Lester

These french doors span an entire living room wall, providing maximal coverage when needed. In addition to evaluating width, though, you'll want to keep curtain length top of mind. "I always like my drapery to just barely sit above the floor," Stacey notes. "I measure a few inches below the ceiling to about a quarter inch above the floor. That way the window/door is elongated."

Continue to 16 of 16 below
16 of 16

Pop of Cheer

Amy Bartlam for Kate Lester

Patterned curtains like these are extra sweet in a game room and keep the space feeling lighthearted.