Many of us are working from home, effortlessly trying to motivate our kids, or even ourselves, as we figure out how to make our homes more comfortable for the long run, I have a few tips if you are lucky enough to have patio doors. With the sun high and bright all day, take full advantage of the seasonal glow this time of the year. This beautiful weather means that your patio will be the gateway where you and the kids can play in the yard or scoot down the “slip ‘n slide.” One of our favorite activities is backyard homemade tie-dying any old t-shirts or napkins or aprons. As you fire up the bbq for an easy “al fresco dinner,” hopefully grabbing a few quiet moments to relax or read, your patio window treatments must be able to stand up to the heat, but let you love the view in a good mood. Incorporate the essence of summer into your surrounding spaces with these special summer patio door ideas.
Solar Shades
Solar shades or solar screens are the ultimate window treatment for summer. The name says it all! They block the light, but not the view and are great for French doors or single patio doors. You can still keep watch on your kids while you’re making dinner without the harsh glare of the setting sun glinting into your eyes. Solar shades come with added bonuses such as limiting the summer heat within your home, protecting you from UV rays and keeping your furniture and other décor from fading during the bright daytime.
White or cream colored solar shades impart a modern and clean look and allow more light to filter into your room. Choosing a darker solar shade color obviously reduces the light to mitigate the heat and glare, but adds another layer of richness to your room. Choose the “openness” level that coincides with your particular need as the tightness of the fabric weave will determine the optimum level of light streaming into your patio doors, in addition to the hue of the color you choose, to create the perfect room.
Solar shades are a favorite of mine. On my patio doors which face to the West, I can attest to the wonder of solar shades as the bright California sun is diffused in the afternoon, but I can still keep watch at the end of the day to the final outbursts of outdoor activity of the grandchildren. Now, I can peacefully take solace inside the cool comfort of my perfectly shaded room.
Sheer Drapery
Nothing will give you that light, airy feeling during those sticky, hot summer days than sheer drapery. Sheer drapery is elegant and swanky and offers a casual but refined look, without being too dramatic or formal. Sheer drapery softens the glare on all types of patio doors but adds a touch of sophistication, but does not feel heavy like many other fabric drapes and will blend into any environment. Do remember that sheer drapery will not be as versatile as some of the more light reducing window treatments, but will imbue any room with a graceful touch of delicacy.
Sheer drapery will blend into any environment. For those of us who are dramatic and lean toward glamour, these stunning sheer curtains in a metallic shine are dazzling but probably not on your radar if you are looking for a practical solution to your highly prized patio doors.
Why not dream once in a while for the ultimate window treatment? Life is too short to always live life in the slow lane; somewhere in your home, take a chance to make a place that sizzles. We have every imaginable kind of blind to make sure your view is spectacular.
Cellular Shades
Sure, you’ve seen cellular or honeycomb shades on windows, but have you ever thought of placing them on your patio doors? For summer living, use cellular shades as their energy efficient design keeps your home cool and the different opacity levels allow you to decide many light filtering options. If you live in the desert, where the dog days of summer can be scorching, try a higher opacity or even a blackout to make sure the heat stays out. On the other hand, if your home is inclined to more mild summers, choosing a low opacity or sheer cellular will help you get the most of out of your beloved summer sunshine. Cellular shades are also available in horizontal or vertical formations, letting you decide whether you want to open your shades top down bottom up or side to side.
For an active, busy family, cellular patio shades are just right for their minimal look but maximum impact for ease, comfort, reliability and privacy. Their little “pockets of goodness” keep the midday heat away and raise up to an almost invisible window treatment when the evening cools and the sunset and moon-glow cast their magic from your deck or porch.
Cellular shades are available in the popular horizontal formation but also in a vertical position which allows you the open up your patio sliding door window treatments from side to side. I say think fresh, as these slick side by side cellular shades are a modern take on an old standby – “verticells.” These cellular shades are a great idea for the big open spaces on any patio door windows. If you are so tired of the “clink clink clink” of those noisy slats as the dog or the wind swishes through your old vertical blinds, be modern and chic and banish those frumpy vertical blinds on your sliding or patio door for a more spacious room with new cellular shades. Custom fitted here always to fit perfectly, even on big sliding glass doors.
Natural Woven Shades
If you have always wanted a tropical look or want to bring the feel of the outdoors into your space, natural woven wood shades are for you. These are a stylish summer choice for French doors and single patio doors as they let that gorgeous light seep in without you feeling the heat. My favorite top down bottom up feature lets you decide how much sunlight and privacy is right for you and can make your environment feel as if you are sitting in a tranquil cabana, sipping a Mai Tai.
Woven shades will enhance any room aesthetic whether your style is rustic, contemporary, or traditional. And do not be afraid to mix and match. Experiment with the natural weaves and textures that only woven woods can give to these open, inviting vistas outside of your patio doors. Woven wood blinds are highly prized in today’s decor world for a sophisticated but casual style. Many people who treat their patio or sliding doors with wovens often call them “hanging drapery “or “natural drapes.” I just like to say: “How beautiful.”
Summertime is overflowing with sun, glare and heat. Your patio doors are an invitation to basking in the sunlight or taking shelter from the storms, but these wide open spaces are meant to be savored for all seasons. This summer take the time to make the most of these long and alluring days to wherever your dreams take you. We now have to rely on our imagination to find those new sacred places to inhabit.
