10 Creative Ways to Cover Sliding Patio Doors (Design Ideas)

Your sliding patio door is a fantastic feature, a wide-open connection to the outdoors that fills your space with light. But that large expanse of glass can also be a challenge, bringing in harsh glare and leaving you feeling exposed. Knowing how to cover sliding patio doors in a way that is both beautiful and practical can take your room from ‘ugh’ to ‘ahh’. The right window covering isn’t just a functional piece; it’s a design opportunity.

At Blindsgalore, our family has spent over 25 years helping homeowners find that perfect solution. We believe in turning design dreams into reality. Let’s explore some truly creative patio door treatments that will make you fall in love with your view all over again.

Why Cover Sliding Patio Doors?

Before diving into the fun stuff, let’s talk about the “why.” The benefits of window treatments for sliding glass doors go far beyond aesthetics. They provide essential control over light and privacy, protect your furniture and floors from sun damage, and can even add a valuable layer of insulation, helping to keep your home comfortable year-round.

And here’s a crucial tip before you start: never submerge your blinds or shades in water. This is true for all of our products, from light-filtering to blackout and motorized styles. A simple dusting or a light pass with a vacuum’s upholstery attachment is all that’s needed to keep them looking fresh and new.

Here are 10 of our favorite sliding patio door ideas to get your creativity flowing:

1. The Classic Comeback: Vertical Blinds for Sliding Doors

Let’s start with the classics. Vertical blinds are the traditional, go-to solution, but they’ve had a major style upgrade. Forget the clunky plastic of the past. Today’s blinds for sliding doors are available in a range of sophisticated materials.

Best Materials for Blinds for Sliding Doors

Modern vertical blinds come in beautiful, soft fabrics that mimic the look of drapery and elegant textured vinyls that look sharp and operate quietly. They offer incredibly precise light control and remain one of the most practical and budget-friendly solutions.

2. The Modern Minimalist: Panel Track Blinds

For a clean, contemporary look, panel track blinds are one of the most innovative sliding door covers available. Think of them as a modern reinvention of vertical blinds. Instead of narrow slats, they use wide, overlapping fabric panels that glide effortlessly on a track. When open, they stack neatly to the side for a completely unobstructed view. When closed, they create a sleek, sophisticated wall of texture and color. They’re an ideal solution for dressing extra-wide windows.

3. The Timeless Touch: Elegant Curtains for Sliding Doors

Nothing adds a touch of softness and luxury quite like Drapery. Using flowing curtains is a beautiful way to frame your sliding door. This is one of our favorite sliding door window treatments for adding a personal touch.

Creative Curtain Ideas for Sliding Doors

To maintain full use of your door, install a curtain rod that extends well beyond the frame on both sides. This allows you to pull the panels completely clear of the glass. You can choose from sheer fabrics that softly filter light to “bold solids and eye-catching patterns” that make a statement. For added function, many of our custom drapes can be upgraded with a room-darkening or thermal liner. For more inspiration, check out these ideas for modern window curtains.

4. The Architectural Statement: Stylish Shutters for Sliding Glass Doors

For a durable, built-in look that can actually increase your home’s value, Sliding Faux Wood Shutters  are an incredible investment. These shutters for sliding glass doors are more than just a window covering; they’re a piece of furniture for your door.

Choosing Between Plantation and Bypass Shutters

Sliding shutters are mounted on a track system that allows them to either fold accordion-style (bi-fold) or slide past one another (bypass). They offer a timeless, architectural look and are incredibly durable, making them a great choice for high-traffic doorways.

5. The Designer’s Secret: Layered Window Coverings

Can’t decide between the softness of drapery and the function of a shade? Why not have both? Layering treatments is one of the best window coverings for sliding glass doors when you want a custom, high-end look.

Mixing Sheers and Drapes for Versatility

Install an energy-saving vertical cellular shade for privacy and insulation, then frame it with decorative curtain panels for a pop of color and style. This approach gives you the best of both worlds. You can even add a decorative cornice or valance over the top to hide the hardware and create a truly polished, designer look.

6. The Smart Solution: Patio Door Blinds with Smart Controls

We are huge fans of motorization, and we recommend it for all homes, especially those with children and pets. Imagine opening and closing your large patio door blinds with the touch of a button.

Benefits of Automated Patio Door Blinds

Motorization is the ultimate in convenience and safety, as motorized blinds are always cordless . Many of our systems can be integrated with smart home hubs like Google Home and Alexa or even controlled via a Bluetooth app on your phone. It’s a simple luxury that makes a big difference in your daily routine.

7. The Natural Wonder: Decorative Window Shades

To bring warmth and texture into your space, look to shades crafted from unique materials. These window shades for sliding glass doors are perfect for creating an organic, inviting atmosphere.

Patterned and Textured Window Shades

• Woven Woods: Bring the outdoors in with vertical woven wood panels. Handcrafted from natural materials like bamboo and grasses, they add a rich, earthy element to your decor. If you choose this style, our guide on installing bamboo shades for sliding doors can be a helpful resource.
• Vertical Cellular Shades: For a softer, more modern texture, Vertical Cellular Shades  are a fantastic choice. As a bonus, they are also the most energy-efficient option on this list, with insulating pockets that can help lower your energy bills.

8. The Privacy Hero: Opaque Sliding Glass Door Coverings

When you need to block out the world, choosing the right material is everything. Opaque or blackout fabrics are the ultimate sliding glass door coverings for privacy and light control. These fabrics are ideal for bedrooms, media rooms, and any space where you need to block nearly all incoming light. You can find blackout options available for many of our products, including vertical cellular shades  and panel tracks using blackout roller fabric.

9. The View-Preserver: Solar Shades

Do you have a stunning view you don’t want to sacrifice, but the afternoon glare is unbearable? This is where solar shades shine. This is one of the most unique patio door solutions for sun-drenched rooms. The special screen-like material cuts glare and blocks up to 99% of damaging UV rays, all while preserving your view of the outside. It’s like sunglasses for your house. For a sliding door, this fabric can be used in a sleek panel track system.

10. The Trendsetter: Dual “Zebra” Shade Panels

For a truly artistic sliding door design, consider using the fabric from our Boutique Serenity Light Filtering Dual Sheer Shades on a panel track system. These “zebra” style fabrics alternate between sheer and solid bands of material. When used on gliding panels, it creates a stunning visual effect and gives you an incredible range of light control. It’s a high-style look that is sure to be a conversation starter.

Tips for Choosing the Right Sliding Door Window Treatments

Feeling inspired? Here are a few final sliding door window treatment ideas to guide you.

Factors to Consider: Light, Privacy, and Style

Start with your main priority. Is it style, insulation, or light control? Once you have a direction, order up to 15 free samples to see how the materials look and feel in your own home. And remember, you can do this! Whether you’re a DIY expert or not, installation is a breeze. All you’ll need are a few basic tools and about an hour. Instructions are included, and you can find detailed guides on our installation page.

A Final Word

At Blindsgalore, we stand behind everything we make. Every custom window treatment is backed by a free 3-year warranty (with an option to upgrade to a 5-year plan), though it’s important to note this does not cover fading from sunlight. More importantly, we offer the industry’s best guarantee: if you’re not completely happy with your order for any reason, you can exchange it for a new product within 30 days, completely free. We’re a family business, and we’re here to help you love your view.