French doors add architectural elegance and abundant light to any room. But dressing them can be tricky. You need a solution that looks beautiful without obstructing door handles or movement.
This guide will walk you through the best window treatment ideas for your French doors, ensuring you find the perfect balance of style, privacy, and function.
Key Considerations Before You Choose
Before diving into specific styles, consider what you need most from your window treatment:
Light & Privacy: Do you need soft, filtered light from a sheer fabric, or complete darkness from a blackout lining?
Door Functionality: Will the treatment allow the doors to open and close freely without snagging? Is there enough clearance for the handles?
Your Interior Style: Are you aiming for a timeless, classic look or something more modern and minimalist?
With those questions in mind, let's explore the most popular and practical options.
Option 1: Treatments Mounted Directly on the Door
This is the most common approach, where the treatment covers only the glass panes, moving with the door as it opens and closes.
A. Double Rod Pocket Curtains (Hourglass Curtains)
This classic style uses two curtain rods—one at the top of the glass and one at the bottom—to hold a single fabric panel taut. It's often gathered in the middle with a tie-back to create a signature hourglass shape.
Best For: Achieving a timeless, soft look with controlled privacy. Works beautifully with sheer, semi-sheer, or room-darkening fabrics.
Pro-Tips for Ordering:
Rod Placement: Install your rods 1-2 inches above and below the glass pane. The rods should be 1-2 inches wider than the glass on each side.
Curtain Width: For a rich, gathered look, your curtain panel’s width should be 2 times the width of your rod. For very thin sheer fabrics, consider 2.5 times fullness.
Curtain Length: Measure the distance between the top of the upper rod and the bottom of the lower rod. Add about 3 inches to this measurement to account for the fabric that forms the pockets above and below the rods.
Don't Forget: Check if the decorative tie-back is included or needs to be ordered separately.
B. Shades & Blinds (Roller, Roman, Bamboo)
Shades offer a clean, minimalist alternative to fabric curtains. They are mounted at the top of the window glass and operate vertically.
Best For: Clean lines, precise light control, and a modern aesthetic. Ideal for kitchens and high-traffic areas.
Pro-Tips for Ordering:
Door Handle Clearance: This is critical! Measure the depth of your door handle. Ensure the shade you choose (especially bulkier styles like Roman or Bamboo) has a shallow enough profile that it won't block the handle’s operation.
Maintain Your View: If you want to reduce glare but keep your view, choose Solar Shades. They block UV rays and heat while preserving your connection to the outdoors.
Option 2: Treatments Mounted Above the Door Frame
This method treats the entire French door unit as a single, large window. A long rod or track is mounted on the wall above the door frame.
Standard Drapes (Grommet, Pinch Pleat, Euro Pleat)
Using a single, wide pair of drapes creates a dramatic, unified look. The drapes stack back to the sides of the wall, completely clearing the doors when open.
Best For: Making a room feel larger and more cohesive, hiding an unattractive door frame, or achieving maximum light blockage.
Pro-Tips for Ordering:
Go High & Wide: Mount the rod as close to the ceiling as possible and extend it 6-15 inches past the door frame on each side. This allows the curtains to fully expose the doors when open. Please calculate the stack back width before ordering.
Check Your "Return": The "return" is the distance from the wall to the front of the rod. Ensure it is deep enough for the drapes to easily clear the door handles when they move.
Length: Measure from the rod to the floor. Let the curtains just "kiss" the floor for a clean, tailored look, or add a few inches for an elegant "puddle" effect.
Option 3: A Purely Decorative Touch
Scarf Valance
If privacy and light control aren't concerns, a scarf valance is a simple way to add a touch of color, softness, and style. Draped elegantly over a decorative rod or through sconces, it frames the door beautifully without covering the glass.
Best For: Adding a decorative element while maximizing natural light.
Ready to find your perfect fit? Explore our full collection of custom door curtains and transform your French doors today
