Window coverings - net curtains / shutters / ?

koalakoala

Day and night blinds are lovely

GaleSF63

Initially I would get whatever is cheapest and easiest - as hooks are already there, this probably means nets/voile, and give yourself a bit of time in the house before deciding. 

I love the sound of window film but I don't know whether I could convince myself that people weren't able to see me, if I can see them!

ashe

Plantation shutters work great for us. you can get half height ones but we have full height and love them. you can open them fully by opening the doors, or just control them via the slats. plenty of light in, and great for keeping house cool in summer. They're not cheap though but you can measure and install them yourself - I am terrible at DIY and it took me about 30 minutes per window following the instructions. Loads of sites do instant quotes. People love them and we've had people in the street knock on our door asking where we got them from, guests always ask etc. 

Rosa_Damascena

GaleSF63 said:

Initially I would get whatever is cheapest and easiest - as hooks are already there, this probably means nets/voile, and give yourself a bit of time in the house before deciding. 

I love the sound of window film but I don't know whether I could convince myself that people weren't able to see me, if I can see them!

With the right level of obscurity they do offer privacy but you are at a disadvantage by not being able to see out of a window.

Its voiles all the way for me, they let in light whilst restoring privacy and allowing an external view of the world. Unlike blinds they don't act as dust traps.

twopenny

My bedroom is on a path used by any tom !!!!!! or harry putting stuff through the door. It's disconcerting. Also visible from flats in the next road.

I inherited vertical blinds. They let the light in but you can't see out when something alerts you.

My neighbour recommended the new venetial type shutters - cost £2,000 for my little bay. Her's look fab and trendy but you can't see what's going on outside and they keep the light out mostly. I might get some little cheap ones for the bathroom to make it private.

Meantime I bought some cotton crochet type nets. They stay white and can be bleached. At first  I didn't like them from outside but from inside they look good. With double glazing they also make it impossible to see in as it becomes a mirror. So I can see out but no one even up close can see in. Cost £6 new from charity shop.

The guy moved in down the road has now put voile up too and his place has been renovated/modernised to within an inch of it's life. They really work well.

Film and the expensive rollers that were supposed to be the answer to everything you can see through when the light is on inside.

another_casualty

I was in the same situation as the op , more or less ..
My gd flr flat looks out onto a fairly busy road . Plus the small bedroom window is at the side of the block where I can see everything , plus Mail / courier deliveries etc.

I did contemplate window stickers , and even shutters ( too expensive tbh ) .
I decided on thick white  Venetian blinds . The right choice for me ,
I can see out with people unable to see in . I only have to tilt them a certain way to let in light . I can stop light coming in on really muggy summer days if I need to . 

Yes, they are a bit of a dust trap , but not a huge problem if I keep my eye on them so to speak . 

I ordered them before I moved in  , and they arrived right on cue . 6 weeks !

Just after my furniture was moved in etc . 
Everyone who has seen them , likes them . Mr builder was asking how much I paid etc

Horses for courses 🏇🏇

Ditzy_Mitzy

Nets all the way: let light in, keep prying eyes out and don't act as a dust trap.  Take them down twice a year and give them a wash, job done.  There's a reason why everybody's got them!