Privacy Glass Using Contact Paper
Do you have windows or doors in your home that you want to make a little more private? In my home office, I have two glass doors that lead into our backyard - the only problem? They also lead my neighbors eyes in as well. As a renter, I can't buy new doors and don't want to invest in heavy duty window coverings, so I came up with a solution. Using budget-friendly contact paper, I created a simple stick-on frosted glass method that is tasteful and completely removable upon move-out! Be sure to check out other DIY home office projects!
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This is a 'before' shot of my french doors. Hello, backyard neighbors!
Step 1: Measure.
Take out your tape measure or ruler and measure the glass surface area that you will be covering.
Step 2: Cut out your shapes.
Once you have your dimensions, decide what shape or pattern you'd like to create for your frosted glass pieces. I decided to use a simple diamond shape, which is simple to cut and line-up accurately. For my window, I cut out several 6" x 6" squares. The contact adhesive paper is great, because on the backside there is a grid with measurements already laid out. I was able to cut my shapes out quickly by following their guidelines.
Step 3: Stick your pieces on.
After cleaning your window with glass cleaner, begin applying your contact paper pieces. I advise working from the bottom up if you are covering a large-scale door or window. Using a steady hand and a careful eye, peel off the backing of your contact paper and stick your pieces on one-by-one, lining them up as you go. For my design, I left approximately 1/2" in between each row of diamonds.
After applying all of your pieces carefully, you should end up with a fully covered glass window. To cover these two large-scale doors, it took me approximately two hours total.
I'm so thrilled with the results! Not only do I now have privacy in my home office, but it also prevents birds from flying into my windows AND looks pretty classy too! Be sure to check out some other awesome DIY home decor projects to spruce up the decor in your home!
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Comments
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I had a number of windows in my den that did not leave any privacy from outside. I am not a "curtain/drape person, since that is another cleaning project that I would much rather avoid. I purchased rolls of privacy film (they have all sorts of designs and colors available online, especially on Amazon. Application takes nothing more than cleaning the window, then spritzing the window with water and rolling the film on. They stick and can just easily be removed when you want. No damage. I left them on for over 5 years and never had to touch them again, with no lifting, movement, or discoloring. And if you get tired of the pattern easily remove it and switch out.
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I had those at my old house. You can get them at any Michael’s or hobby lobby. Easy to do, and since I don’t have the time or patience for those little diamonds (that are cute), it worked best for me. I lived in that house for 16 years and the frosted glass was there probably 12 years. I had the vertical blinds which were so awful.
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The more pattern the better - as night progresses, your indoor lighting provides a clear view from the outside.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
If I clean the window will it remove the contact paperr?
I tried this on single pane windows. The glue on the contact paper turned an ugly tannish-brown after 2-3 years. Some of the paper curled but couldn't be peeled off. I suspect that the problem was using this on single pane glass. Any ideas as to what went wrong ???
Great job!
For those of you asking where and how much? Just "Google" window privacy cling and an array of options will fill your screen.