The privacy problem in Atlantic homes
In older neighbourhoods across the region, houses sit close to the sidewalk and close to each other. Think of the North End of Halifax, downtown Dartmouth, the row houses of St. John's or the Victorian streets of Saint John. In new subdivisions, the house next door can be three metres away. And in December you get under nine hours of daylight in most places, less in Labrador.
Closing a blind for privacy at 2 p.m. and sitting under a lamp is not much of a life. These options give you both.
The best privacy options
Top-down bottom-up shades
Lower the top of the shade to let daylight and sky in, while the bottom stays closed so no one can see in from the street or the house next door. The most useful privacy feature there is. Available on cellular and some Roman shades.
Zebra blinds
Offset the bands for privacy, line them up for filtered light, without raising the shade. Zebra blinds.
Sheer shades
Tilt the vanes closed for privacy and the sheers still glow with soft light. Sheer shades.
Light-filtering fabrics
Light passes through; images do not. Daytime privacy in a roller, cellular or Roman shade, with a bright room.
Slatted blinds, tilted up
Tilting wood or faux wood slats upward sends light to the ceiling while blocking sight lines from below.
A note on night privacy
Most light-filtering fabrics give good privacy in daylight. At night, when the room is lit and it is dark outside, the balance flips: silhouettes can show through lighter fabrics and solar shades become see-through. For street-facing bedrooms and bathrooms, choose room-darkening or blackout fabric, or a dual shade with a privacy layer for night.
Bathrooms
Top-down bottom-up cellular in a moisture-resistant fabric is our favourite: privacy at the tub or shower level, daylight above. Faux wood blinds tilted up also work well.
Frequently asked questions
What blinds give privacy but let light in?
Top-down bottom-up shades, zebra blinds, sheer shades and light-filtering fabrics all give privacy while letting light in. Top-down bottom-up is the most flexible: you can cover the lower part of the window and leave the top open for daylight.
Can people see through light-filtering blinds at night?
Sometimes. At night, with lights on inside, silhouettes can show through lighter light-filtering fabrics. For night privacy in bedrooms and bathrooms, choose room-darkening or blackout fabric, or add a second layer.
What are the best privacy blinds for a bathroom?
Top-down bottom-up cellular shades in a moisture-resistant fabric, or faux wood blinds. Both handle humidity and let you keep privacy at eye level while letting daylight in.
Are solar shades private?
During the day, solar shades are fairly private from the outside while still letting you see out. At night with interior lights on, they become see-through. Do not rely on solar shades alone for night privacy.