Curtains for French Doors: How to Choose Based on "Swing" & Style

Perhaps you’ve recently purchased a home, remodeled, or have simply been staring at old French doors for years that allow passersby to glance straight into the privacy of your home, and now, you’re ready to close that gap but can’t decide on how to choose curtains for French doors. Choosing curtains for a pair of doors may seem like a challenging task, but simply enough, the main consideration for finding the perfect curtains depends entirely on one simple mechanical detail: how your doors actually open. After you understand this singular design feature, you’ll be matching colors, patterns, and textures to the rest of your space in no time, with all the ease and simplicity of picking out any other window treatment. 

Determining Your Door Mechanism: The "Swing Test" (Read This First)

Before you purchase any window treatments or curtain rods for French doors, you absolutely need to check whether your door swings into or out of the room. The mechanism of an "in-swing" door, meaning that it opens “in” to the room and away from the hallway or patio, creates a tricky clearance issue with standard rods mounted on the wall above the frame. Adversely, an “out-swing” doors open away from the room in the opposite direction. If an in-swing door hits the curtain stack or the rod's finials, you'll have to shove the drapes completely out of the way every time you want to step out of the room. But here we have some simple solutions for those pesky in-swing doors. 

Solution 1: The "Door-Mounted" Method (Sash Curtains)

The classic "sash curtain" is the perfect solution for high-traffic doors or any room where your doors swing inward, providing full coverage for glass doors. This method involves mounting small, thin rods directly to the door itself directly above and below the glass panel, allowing the curtain to remain fixed to the door and moving with it as a stationary accessory to the door when opened.

· Door-Mounted Hardware: Make sure to measure for a precise fit between the glass panes and the door handles. Custom sizing is essential to ensure your beautiful door isn’t overwhelmed by a bulky curtain or left exposed by one that’s too small when covering glass doors.

· The Shrinkage Trap: Since sash curtains need to be perfectly fitted between two small rods at the top and bottom of the door, any shrinkage from washing could shorten the fabric, causing a failure to reach the bottom rod and ruining their perfect fit. To avoid this disaster, our pre-washed process and commitment to quality make certain that your curtains remain the perfect size for the duration of their long, beautiful life span.

· Curtain Weight Matters: You don’t want to add too much weight to the door hinges, so this solution works best with lightweight, light-filtering fabrics like our June Sheer to maintain a low profile and avoid bulk.

 June Sheer

 Style Tip: The fabric can be kept straight and taut, or cinched in the middle with a tie-back to create the elegant "hourglass" shape.

Solution 2: The "Wall-Mounted" Method (Standard Curtain Rod)

If you have an "out-swing" door or substantial wall space on either side, the following method offers the most dramatic, elegant stylistic design choice. Here, try mounting a standard curtain rod high and wide above the door frame creates an illusion of height, treating the door as a floor-to-ceiling window. 

· Stack Back is Essential: Calculating the "Stack Back" of your curtains or drapes ensures that, while gathered off to the side of the French doors, they don't obstruct the glass or the door's function. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you with our Curtain Stackback Calculator.  

· The Insulation Advantage: The biggest benefit to the wall mounted out-swing solution is the thermal insulation and superior light control you gain by using floor-length, lined drapes like our Tina Pinch Pleated with the ZeroLight TriCore™ blackout option. 

 Tina Pinch Pleated

· Broader Design Options: The wall mounted solution also allows for a much wider range of options to match your specific interior design style. Zen Linen is a timeless and classic favorite for wall-mounted French door treatments, as its linen blend drapes beautifully when gathered and hangs elegantly for privacy when closed, adding softness to any space.

Zen Linen

Solution 3: The "Swing Arm" Rod (Portiere Rod)

Perhaps you have an in-swing French door but don’t want to attach a rod to the door itself and don’t like the idea of constantly moving curtains back and forth to simply utilize your doors. The Portiere Rod may be just the design element you need. This niche hardware offers a unique, vintage look wherein a hinged curtain rod swings like a gate with the door, giving you the option to keep it open against the wall or closed over the doorway with a simple pivoting motion.

Fabric & Function Guide

Now that you’re fully prepared to choose the right curtains for your French doors, it’s time to select the perfect fabric to meet your light and privacy needs.

For Door-Mount Sash Curtains 

Try to find curtains that are lightweight, won't look too bulky when gathered, and are custom sized to fit your French door window. 

· For Daytime Privacy: Sheer options like our Liz Sheer Linen Blend offer privacy while still letting a beautiful amount of light filter into the room.

 Liz Sheer Linen Blend

 · Add Subtle Texture: Light Filtering fabrics like our Willow Linen Pinstripe add texture and charm without making the door feel heavy.

For Wall-Mount Drapes

These French door window treatments provide maximum thermal insulation, light control, and noise dampening.

· For Maximum Insulation: Choosing heavy fabrics like our Mell Chenille Blackout ensures a rich, full drape that helps to balance temperature and sound.

Mell Chenille Blackout

· Sun Protection Benefit: Because blackout lining is so effective at protecting fabric from UV damage, you don't have to worry about sun fading on colorful choices like the Maribel Jacquard Pinch Pleated.

Style Tip: Consider using door-sash curtains in a sheer fabric with a heavier, wall-mounted set for maximum light control and layering versatility. Our ZeroLight TriCore™ blackout lining can be added to any of our custom drapes, like the Celia Jacquard Roman Pattern, making them perfect for bedrooms or media rooms.

FAQ: Real Reader Questions Answered

Q: Do I need special curtain rods for door-mounted French doors?
A: Yes, use two slender, shallow-projection rods mounted directly on the door—one at the top and one at the bottom.

Q: How can I prevent custom drapes from shrinking?
A: Choose curtains that have been pre-washed before shipping to eliminate post-sale laundry shrinkage.

Q: What lining is best for total darkness and soundproofing?
A: A triple-layered lining designed for 100% light blockage and enhanced insulation offers maximum performance.

Style Recap & Final Takeaway 

Successfully dressing your French doors starts with understanding how they swing and choosing a style that fits. Remember:

· Determine whether your doors swing in or out to choose the proper mounting method.

· Use door-mounted sash curtains for lightweight, high-traffic solutions or wall-mounted drapes for full coverage and insulation.

· Consider fabric weight, light control, and privacy for both function and beauty. 

Ready to transform your French doors? Explore our custom curtains for French doors to find the perfect fit.