I just moved into a first-floor apartment where my living room and bedroom windows face the front sidewalk. Anyone walking by can see right in unless I keep the blinds/curtains closed, but I want to let in some daylight! I’m thinking about putting up mirrored static cling window film for privacy, but I hate the blue tint that a lot of them have. I’d love to find one that either has a warmer tint or none at all. Do these films actually stick, and are there any good options that don’t make everything look bluish inside?
(And yeah, I know there’s a window film forum, but it’s been dead for years, so I’m hoping to get more responses here!)
Onyx said:
What about frosted film? It’s often used for bathroom windows. Keep in mind mirror film only works during the day, and at night it’s the opposite.
I love the idea of frosted glass, but I still want to be able to see outside. I thought about frosting just the bottom half of the windows so I can see out the top, but my dog loves looking out the windows, so I’m trying to keep that option open for him too!
@Cairo
In that case, maybe go with a combination of mirror film for daytime and curtains for the evening. There are some decorative films that are higher quality than the cheap stuff on Amazon. Worth checking out.
Have you thought about cellular blinds that open from the top? They let light in while giving you privacy. Sheer curtains could work too, but just check with your landlord first if you’re going to put up anything permanent.
@Zuri
I’m definitely using sheer curtains, but they’re black for the aesthetic I’m going for, so they block a lot of light. I want to be able to open them fully without worrying about people seeing in. And yeah, I always manage to overcomplicate things!
I got some cheap film with a geometric pattern off Amazon for about $8. It sparkles when the sun hits it and looks pretty cool. Worth it in my opinion!
I’ve used white crinkle sheers in past apartments. They’re great for privacy, and people would have to get right up close to the window to see inside. At night, I just used curtains to block the view.
There are different color options for window privacy film on Amazon if you search. Some are more neutral, so you don’t have to go with the blue/gray ones.
I bought some window film from Amazon, and it’s been great. Super easy to put up and take down, no adhesive left behind. They have tons of options like plain, patterns, and even stained glass looks. Best thing we did for our windows.
@Oakley
What brand did you get? I tried two before, and the first one didn’t even stick, but the second worked great (though it was frosted for my bathroom, not ideal for my living room).
Cairo said: @Oakley
What brand did you get? I tried two before, and the first one didn’t even stick, but the second worked great (though it was frosted for my bathroom, not ideal for my living room).
I used Artscape etched glass film. The trick is really cleaning the windows well first—like razor blade clean—then spritz soapy water on both the film and window before applying. Squeegee it thoroughly, and it should stick perfectly.
Cairo said: @Oakley
What brand did you get? I tried two before, and the first one didn’t even stick, but the second worked great (though it was frosted for my bathroom, not ideal for my living room).
I found the same stuff at Walmart for a good price. Super easy to apply!
Maybe try a privacy screen instead? It’s a thicker mesh that makes it harder to see through without tinting the window, but it won’t offer any security benefits beyond privacy.