A window in the bathroom is desirable. However, it becomes problematic when neighbors, pedestrians or drivers can take a look into the bathroom. To prevent this, you shouldn't miss the following ideas for privacy protection for your bathroom window.
Privacy films
Privacy films are available in a wide variety of designs and versions, which set no limits to individual requirements and needs.
- Attachment: stick on
- Advantages: Depending on the version, statically self-adhesive without adhesive residue; Available with sun and heat-repellent function, can be tailored individually
- Disadvantages: precise procedure, otherwise unsightly bubbles quickly form; Depending on the quality, corners come loose quickly
- Costs: from 7 euros
Tip:
There are also window films where you can see out, but no one can see inside the bathroom from outside. Mirror films, for example, are particularly suitable for this, but are usually intended for outdoor application.
Shutters
Window shutters are very stylish and versatile and are available for inside and outside as well as for floor-to-ceiling and small windows and provide a natural, slightly playful ambience.
- Attachment: to drill on wall/facade with hinges
- Advantages: various materials such as aluminum, wood, plastic; folding or sliding shutters; additional burglary protection
- Disadvantages: Higher maintenance requirements, especially for wooden shutters; Darkening the bathroom without movable slats
- precise procedure, movable slats no 100 percent privacy protection
- Costs: depending on size, quality and material between 80 and 700 euros
Blinds
If you haven't installed external blinds, you can easily do so with slat blinds that can be installed later, regardless of whether they are for indoor or outdoor installation.
- Installation: more complex with drilling and screwing as well as power installation
- Advantages: electrically controllable; Smart home models available; no complete bathroom darkening when closing; Can be individually adapted to different light incidences and window sizes
- Disadvantages: Additional costs due to energy consumption; manual models with low comfort and rope systems that get dirty quickly; time-consuming cleaning of the slats; Boreholes are often difficult to implement in rental apartments
- Costs: manual versions from 50 euros; electric models from 200 euros
Roller blinds
There is an extensive selection of roller blinds available from folding, roman, spring, double to side-pull models, which can be moved from top to bottom and in this way with the appropriate light-blocking material are ideal Provide privacy protection for bathroom windows.
- Attachment: by drilling on the wall, ceiling or in the window reveal or by using a drillless clamping system for inner window frames
- Advantages: Look very homely, usually not UV-resistant
- Disadvantages: Dirt due to open roll, textile models cannot be washed, dust gathers quickly
- Costs: depending on window size and material around 10 euros
Tip:
When it comes to privacy protection on the bathroom window, always pay attention to materials that do not absorb/absorb moisture or that can at least be treated with an impregnation spray against moisture. Otherwise, mold stains and mold will quickly develop.
Pleated blinds
Pleated blinds are real window wonders and are especially ideal for unusual window dimensions because they are available in all shapes, from slanted to (half) round to triangular or trapezoidal.
- Attachment: directly inside the window frame using drilling or adhesive panels; also suitable for rail or clamping system (free-hanging)
- Advantages: Open/close from bottom and top; with insulating properties and wireless electric version with remote control available; countless colors
- Disadvantages: not machine washable, sensitive to stains
- Costs: approx. from 45 euros
sliding curtains
Sliding curtains are currently trendy and enable privacy protection wherever it is needed.
- Attachment: via curtain rails with drilling or wet room adhesive on the wall
- Advantages: Can be used flexibly; allow numerous combination options, translucent or darkening; many machine washable fabrics available
- Disadvantages: Translucent models let people see through in the dark; Darkening models require lighting during the day and cannot be attached to the side of the wall to close precisely; multiple panels required
- Costs: from around 20 euros per panel
Bistro curtains
Bistro curtains cover half or two-thirds of the bathroom window and run from one side of the window to the other.
- Attachment: with adhesive window curtain rod for window frames
- Advantages: permanent privacy screen; washable like normal non-transparent curtains; looks very unobtrusive, but decorative
- Disadvantages: No complete privacy protection from the bathroom window
- Costs: from around 5 euros
Smart window glass
Increasingly more house builders are choosing intelligent window glass for their bathroom windows, which turns a transparent window pane into a milky-white, opaque glass at the push of a button using embedded liquid crystals and the influence of electricity.
- Installation: by installing a new window or changing window glass by a specialist
- Advantages: transparent or opaque, can be changed without effort
- Disadvantages: additional energy consumption; no self-installation possible; Power installation required
- Costs: between 1000 and 2000 euros per square meter
Structural privacy glass
A solution for bathroom window privacy is similarly offered by special glass, which can be selected as so-called structured or ornamental glass and allows daylight to pass through, while a maximum of shadows can be seen inside from the outside.
- Installation: Disc replacement by a specialist
- Advantages: available in numerous designs; reliable, permanent privacy protection
- Disadvantages: Structured glass is uneven and is harder to clean than smooth glass; no view possible anymore
- Costs: around 100 euros and upwards
Tip:
Instead of expensively replacing the clear pane of a bathroom window with structured or ornamental glass, a cheaper structured plexiglass pane can simply be placed on the clear pane or window frame or, depending on the size and weight, pressed on with adhesive pads.
Window effect spray
If you don't want to drill or glue, let alone have the bathroom window replaced at great expense, you can also create the privacy screen with window effect spray.
- Application: simply spray on
- Advantages: no drilling, gluing or clamping
- Disadvantages: Depending on durability and quality, abrasion is possible when cleaning windows; Uneven spraying leaves patchy results
- Costs: Spray can from around 10 euros
Plants as privacy screens
Tall, densely growing plants are an ideal idea to limit the view from outside through the bathroom window, but only moisture-loving plants such as arched hemp (Sansevieria trifasciata), sword fern (Nephrolepis ex altata), and indoor ivy (Hedera helix 'Chicago'), single leaf (Spathiphyllum), tree friend (Philodendron), bamboo (Bambusoideae).
- Installation: place in a flower pot or flower box on the windowsill; Traffic lights with adhesive hooks or bolts
- Advantages: promote a wellness oasis flair in the bathroom; draw moisture from the air; some plants also purify the air, windows can be almost completely “closed” thanks to hanging baskets with tendrils and potted plants
- Disadvantages: Regular care is essential; Sufficiently dense growth takes a lot of time
- Costs: depending on the plant and quantity of plants around 40 euros plus pots/hanging baskets/boxes
Room divider
The room divider, also known as a screen, is a mobile privacy screen that can be used in the bathroom where it is needed, whether in front of the bathroom window, the toilet or the shower/bathtub.
- Installation: Easy to set up without assembly
- Advantages: Can be set up flexibly anywhere and easily moved; Chic designs and noble materials available for a feel-good atmosphere
- Disadvantages: Takes up a certain amount of floor space, which is why it cannot be used in small bathrooms; Standing in front of the bathroom window takes away daylight
- Costs: depending on size from 20 euros
Frequently asked questions
What is the simplest and most cost-effective privacy screen for the bathroom window?
Obviously the window film. If this is set up precisely and is of high quality, it will last a very long time and will hardly differ visually from a bathroom window with significantly more expensive ornamental or frosted glass.
Which decoration provides a certain level of privacy on the bathroom window?
Macrame decorations hanging next to plants are particularly common in the bathroom window. As part of DIY, you can create wide variations and use them to cover the window and limit views from outside. Window decorations are less suitable as privacy screens for bathroom windows that are located directly on a sidewalk because there are too many “holes” that allow you to see in when you protrude in front of them. More suitable alternatives can be found in the article above.
