Best Curtains for Patio Doors - Brighton Sunblinds

Patio doors bring light into a room and create an easy connection with the garden. During the summer, they’re often one of the busiest parts of the home.

That makes choosing the right curtains especially important.

Patio door curtains need to provide privacy and light control, but they must also move out of the way easily. A curtain that catches on a handle, trails across the floor or blocks the doorway will soon become frustrating.

The best option depends on the type of door, the room and how often the entrance is used.

Wave curtains are often the best choice

For wide patio doors, wave curtains are usually the strongest all-round option.

Their smooth, evenly spaced folds create a relaxed, contemporary look without the bulky gathering associated with some traditional headings. They sit neatly on a track and can be drawn back smoothly when the doors are open.

Wave curtains work particularly well across:

Sliding patio doors
French doors
Wide glazed openings
Full-height windows beside a door
Modern kitchen and dining extensions

They can be made in a lightweight fabric for a softer summer look or supplied with lining for greater privacy and comfort.

Sheer curtains soften bright sunlight

Patio doors can allow a considerable amount of sunlight into a room. This is welcome on many days, but direct glare can make dining, watching television or working at a table uncomfortable.

Sheer curtains soften the light without completely closing off the garden view. They can also provide a degree of daytime privacy, making them a practical option for rooms overlooked by neighbouring properties or a public footpath.

A sheer curtain can be used alone or layered with a lined curtain. Layering allows you to filter daylight during the day and create fuller privacy after dark.

Lined curtains provide privacy and comfort

Where the patio doors are in a living room or open-plan family space, lined curtains are often the most practical option.

A lining adds weight and body, helping the curtains hang properly across a wide opening. It also provides stronger privacy in the evening.

For rooms that become cold near the doors in winter, interlined or thermal curtains can introduce another layer between the glazing and the room. Blackout lining may be suitable where the patio doors are in a bedroom or where strong evening sunlight causes glare.

Explore the available fabrics and lining options within Brighton Sunblinds’ made-to-measure curtain range.

What about pencil or pinch pleat curtains?

Traditional headings can also work well with patio doors.

Pencil pleat curtains provide a softer, gathered appearance and suit relaxed or traditional interiors. Pinch pleats have a more tailored finish and can be particularly effective with heavier fabrics.

The main consideration is stack-back. Gathered curtains may occupy more space at the side of the doors when open, so the pole or track needs to be wide enough to keep the access route clear.

Choose the opening direction carefully

Patio door curtains don’t always need to open from the centre.

A pair of curtains works well where there is enough space on both sides of the doors. However, a single curtain drawing towards one side can be more practical when:

One door is used more frequently than the other
There is limited wall space on one side
Furniture prevents a curtain stacking evenly
The handle or opening mechanism sits near the centre
You want the main walking route to remain clear

The curtain layout should follow the way the doors are actually used, rather than being chosen purely for symmetry.

Tracks are usually more practical than poles

A curtain pole can provide a decorative feature, but tracks often work particularly well over patio doors.

A well-fitted track allows the curtains to move smoothly across the full opening. It can be mounted discreetly and extended beyond the door frame so that the fabric sits away from the glass when open.

Tracks are also the standard choice for wave curtains.

For large or frequently used openings, a powered track may be worth considering. Brighton Sunblinds supplies Silent Gliss tracks, poles and motorised systems for made-to-measure curtain installations.

Measure around the practical details

Patio doors involve more than a simple width and drop measurement. Before ordering curtains, consider:

Door handles and locks
The direction in which the doors open
Floor level and any changes in height
Radiators positioned beside the doors
Skirting boards and deep window reveals
The amount of wall space at each side
Whether the curtains will be opened every day

Floor-length curtains generally suit patio doors best, but they shouldn’t drag across a busy walkway. The finished length needs to look generous without becoming a trip hazard or collecting dirt from the threshold.

Should curtains touch the floor?

For a smart and practical finish, patio door curtains normally sit just above the floor or lightly touch it.

Curtains that pool dramatically can look luxurious in a formal room, but they’re less suitable for a doorway used throughout the day. Extra fabric may catch under feet, gather dust or become trapped as the door is opened.

A precise made-to-measure drop avoids these problems.

Curtains or blinds for patio doors?

Curtains create softness and can help a large glazed opening feel more connected to the rest of the room. However, blinds may be preferable where space is limited or where each section of glass needs to be controlled separately.

For folding doors, you may wish to compare curtains with made-to-measure bi-fold door blinds.

In some rooms, combining blinds and curtains gives the greatest flexibility. The blinds handle everyday glare and privacy, while the curtains add colour, texture and evening comfort.