Last updated on May 22nd, 2025 at 10:04 am

Our patio doors act like gateways into our homes, opening them up by bringing natural light and outdoor beauty inside. Even though patio doors might offer a stunning view over the garden (especially pleasant in the summer when the flowers are in full bloom and in the winter when the lawn is kissed with a thin layer of frost and snow), the doors themselves are generally more functional than they are decorative. That doesn’t mean they need to stay that way though. In fact, with the right dressing that properly compliments the room it looks out from, your patio doors could quite feasibly become decorative features in their own right, and the transformation can not only be simple, but cheap too! Here we’ll be examining just a few ideas that could really bring your patio doors to life.

Sliding Panels

Sliding panels are a perfect accompaniment to a contemporary living room and they are one of the most common forms of patio door accruement. The vertical panels can range in length anywhere from 11 inches to 24 and as such are incredibly versatile. They can also be opened in a gradual manner, letting a more specific amount of sunlight through into the house. Sliding panels are perfect for providing a decent level of privacy (as they are quite opaque when closed) and are very cost-effective. They come in a variety of materials and patterns too, so whatever the style of your room, there will no doubt be a set of panels to match.

Vertical Blinds

By far the cheapest and most practical decoration, vertical blinds can be matched to any interior design style, and the choice of materials (from fabric to thin wood) mean that there are very few rooms that won’t suit them. Whilst many might view vertical blinds as a little dated and ‘obvious’, as long as you steer clear of the cheaper plastic designs, you should really be able to make a positive impression with them.

Shoji Screens

A far more unique idea, the Japanese style shoji screens are a simple but elegant solution. The screens themselves are little more than rice paper set between wooden grids, but the simple construction makes them quite affordable and the rice paper not only lets in a fair amount of natural light, but also provides surprisingly excellent insulation. Your shoji screens will also change pattern over time as the sunlight shifts so there’s little chance that you’d ever get bored of them. It could be assumed that shoji screens don’t provide as much in the way of privacy as their alternatives, but rice paper is quite opaque.

Shutters

Shutters are undoubtedly the most durable form of patio door decoration and really help block out noise pollution so are an absolute must if you live in an area that experiences a lot of traffic. Most shutters are pulled along an overhead track and can be designed to work just like a sliding door so they don’t protrude unpleasantly into the room.

Curtains & Drapes

This will give your room a far more formal look and are perfect to be hung in the winter as the thicker fabric will really help trap heat. A traverse rod is the recommended form of operation as it operates smoothly and you’ll be moving the curtains often.

When selecting materials, you can explore a curtain fabrics’ online store to find options that combine both durability and style. The right fabric and hardware can enhance the look of your curtains, as well as provide practical warmth during the colder months. Properly chosen curtains can also reduce noise and add a cosy atmosphere to your space. 

Frosted Window Films

By far the most elaborate patio door decoration, frosting your window with a custom graphic or frosting the glass entirely will keep prying eyes from your home and give an exceptionally professional vibe. The major thing that might put people off however, is the fact that frosted glass is very difficult to see through, so frosted glass is only really an option if the view outside your patio door isn’t particularly desirable.

Don’t forget, you can use some of these ideas to dress your internal bifold doors too!