Even though some may chalk it up to being anti-social, there’s nothing wrong with wanting more seclusion when you can get it. In a survey of 1,000 Americans conducted by Top Rail Fence, 65% of respondents admitted to hiding from neighbors. So taking advantage of any tips and tricks to add privacy to the home is more than reasonable. In some instances, minor upgrades are too easy, budget-friendly, and practical to skip. Window treatments are the perfect example, especially if you’re currently working with plastic blinds. Though durable and affordable, these varieties often leave small gaps that can make you feel exposed, while some only filter light and thus allow passersby to spot silhouettes moving about inside. If you want optimal privacy (and a bit of extra style), it may be time to swap those revealing plastic blinds for an attractive set of blackout curtains.

While blackout curtains are often considered a sleep aid first and foremost, the double-lined window covers are also a smart addition around sliding glass doors that may open into highly visible areas. The near-complete UV protection saves furniture, carpeting, and decor from sun-fading and damage. As heavy insulators, quality blackout curtains can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And for privacy, it doesn’t get much better than these heavy window treatments. When they extend past the door frame, blackout curtains allow solitude, blocking visual paths into the room. Meanwhile, thick noise-dampening options can reduce sound reflections, adding another layer of privacy to the space to make you feel extra safe and secure.

Blackout curtains can be a stylish boost for the space, coming in many shades to match your interior scheme. After choosing the style and tone, decide on how much light-blocking you want. Compare the specs between products. Higher-quality options like triple-weave curtains ensure optimal privacy, with polyester often being the best blackout curtain material for affordability, durability, and easy maintenance. You can also layer curtains. Combine several less expensive products to reach the desired light-blocking level. Sheer curtains make an excellent companion to blackout covers either way, providing soft filtering to adjust the amount of light coming in.

Getting the proper sizing for your blackout curtains is as critical as picking the right material to get the most privacy around your sliding glass door. Measure the door frame to plan the curtain size. Ideally, the top of the curtain should sit about 3 to 6 inches above the frame. The bottom should be about an inch extended past the frame’s base, gently scraping the floor. On either side, the curtain should extend about 4 inches past the edge of the door frame. Since it’s going in front of your sliding door, you can also go bigger and bolder. Putting the curtain closer to the ceiling and extending it further past the sides of the door frame creates an elegant, eye-catching aesthetic. With a more dramatic scale, you can bring in more light while preventing anyone from catching a glimpse inside from any angle.