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Sliding doors increase the value and appeal of your home by opening up the flow between indoors and outdoors, allowing in natural light, and adding a touch of class to the space. Choosing a window treatment for your sliding doors can either add to the lavish feel of your home or make it look as if you scraped the bottom of the budget barrel. This doesn’t mean you’re doomed to spend big bucks on sliding door window treatments. Avoid a few simple no-no’s, opt for stylish window treatment ideas for your space, and enjoy the luxe feel of your home for many years to come. 

Regardless of which window treatment you choose, there are some universal shortcuts that instantly cheapen the appearance of your space. The first one is to settle for buying off-the-shelf standard sizes that don’t quite fit the dimensions of your sliding door. If you leave the shop telling yourself that it will be fine, it likely won’t be. While it may only be an inch too short, nothing screams low-budget like a sliver of light sneaking in around the edges. 

Whether it’s DIY or professional, poor installation is an instant value drop. Watch out for rods that aren’t level, aren’t centered over the sliding door, or use inadequate mounting hardware. Many installations can be saved by using a spirit level, such as the DOWELL Magnetic Torpedo Level Mini Bubble Level Box Spirit Level. Also, watch out for aesthetic mistakes like choosing the wrong color and uneven pleating for curtains.

Be wary of buying budget DIY cut-to-size at home blinds as getting the cuts right can be trickier than it seems. Even careful trimming can leave you with uneven ends that don’t look properly finished or slats that hang at different angles. The slightest variations will be visible and take away from the overall look. 

Budget metal blinds can be flimsy and prone to getting bent or creased. Once a slat buckles, it seldom goes back to being properly straight. These blinds are notorious dust collectors and take a good bit of work to keep dust free. Dusty blinds detract from a room’s appeal. While some folks may not notice, layers of fine dirt subconsciously bring down the charm of a room. Using a Hiware Window Blind Cleaner Duster Brush can help.

Vertical blinds and sliding doors can be a stylish pair when done right. The orientation of the slats draw the eye upward, adding to the grand illusion of a higher ceilings and more space, while the muted wash of gentle light hugs a room in a soft glow. If you love the look of vertical blinds, it’s worth spending extra for good quality blinds. Not only will they last longer, but they’ll add a beautiful sense of luxury to your room. Take it a step further by applying Erin Napier’s classic spin on window treatments that’s dominating today’s trends and combine window covering options.

Curtains offer a soft warmth to a room that makes it feel like home. However, there are a couple of things to watch out for that can really lower the luxe factor. The most basic thing to avoid is not planning the color choice carefully. Keep the rest of the room in mind and opt for luxe color schemes that’ll make your home look more high-end without costing a fortune. Curtains usually cover a significant area and will affect the tone and mood of the room. 

Another simple mistake that steals luxury from your space is mounting the curtain track too low. By positioning a track closer to the ceiling, as opposed to closer to the top of the sliding door, you’ll effortlessly create a sense of space and glamour.  If you raise the rod, make sure that the hem of the curtain still skims the floor and doesn’t end short. Keep this hack in mind when you’re thinking about what length curtain you should use for a sliding glass door. 

Pleating is another small detail that can have a big impact on the overall effect of your curtains for good or bad. Even if you’re using good quality fabric, uneven pleating can make expensive curtains look cheap. Use Blulu 4 Prong Pleat Hooks to create uniform pleats. The same goes for wrinkly curtains, so make sure they’re pressed before hanging or steam ironed while hanging.