How to Easily Make Windows Private With Contact Paper
July 09, 2024
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Cheap and easy hack to frost a window for privacy.
You don't need expensive privacy films to cover your doors or windows! This easy solution is inexpensive and gives you instant privacy.
This DIY is so simple and cheap, and helps with an annoying privacy problem that would be expensive or messy to fix otherwise. I've actually shared this "hack" before (a looong time ago), but it's one that's worth sharing again!
I've used this for frosting glass on glass doors and interior windows and it is a great, inexpensive solution. Plus, it's easily removed if you ever change your mind.
You can easily do this to any flat glass surface with very few tools and a little time.
The first time I did this was on our glass pantry door ten years ago:
Ha! Just...not the best. I've always felt for our guests especially. 😝
I don't know what took me so long, but I finally did this private window trick again and it worked like a charm.
The first time I did this was on our glass pantry door ten years ago:
I was able to frost our glass pantry door for next to nothing! (Although getting the film placed perfectly on those panes was a PAIN.)
A few helpful readers told me about this trick forever ago. Who knew transparent contact paper is the easiest and cheapest way to make a window private? I was so pleasantly surprised when this actually worked!
We had a big bathroom window in the old house that I made private with this as well. I didn't think I'd need to do it again, until we moved into this house and realized the powder room window was placed in a less than ideal spot:
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I don't know what took me so long, but I finally did this private window trick again and it worked like a charm.
Now there are a few ways to do this, but I promise you this is the easiest. You can buy frosted window film, but those options are more costly. You can also use a frosted glass spray paint, but that's messy -- you have to worry about overspray and fumes...and it won't hold up well over time on a window or door that gets a lot of use.
You can also use a glass etching cream to do this permanently, but I would only try that in extreme cases.
For this DIY method of frosting glass, you'll need transparent matte Contact paper:
Nothing fancy! It will look completely clear on the paper backing, but as you can see, it's actually not completely clear.
To do this easy DIY project, you'll just need a spray bottle with water, scissors and some way to push out the bubbles.
Before you start, give the window a good cleaning with glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth.
Because this paper isn't wide enough for the window, I cut the pieces in the size of the window panes. You can also cut them in strips, which is how I did it on the window in our old bathroom.
The helpful grid on the paper makes it easy to cut straight lines. You really don't have to be exact with it, especially for a window.
Douse the window with plenty of water, then spread the contact paper over the surface of the glass. The water is a must -- it makes it easy to maneuver so you can get it just how you want it.
You'll have TONS of bubbles, but they will push right out! I always use these pan scrapers, but a debit card or squeegee will work as well. You just need something with a smooth side to push the air bubbles out of the sides. (I leave some space around each piece so I can do that.)
This time, the vinyl looked like this a day or so after I installed it:
But those marks will disappear over a few days. They almost look like bubbles, but aren't. So don't freak out if it doesn't look perfect immediately.
UPDATE: This is how the window looks years later...the contact paper is still in perfect condition:
I only placed it on the bottom part of the window. You will not be able to see through it -- everything will be blurry. When I did this last time I thought it would bother us not being able to see out, but it never did.
You can't control the opacity of the window like you can with other DIY options, but I have never found it necessary to do more anyway.
Here's a look at the finished window from the outside:
As you can see, we can still see clearly out of the top of the window.
Also, if you stand right up on it like I am above (I'm leaning against the window) I'm blurred but not overly so. But if you're just inches away you can't see through nearly as well.
At night with a light on you'll see movement but not specific...parts. :)
I took a pic of our son standing away from the window slightly and couldn't see him at all. I thought he had moved away before I could take the photo:
I also love that you really can't tell half of the window is covered from the outside. I'm considering doing this on some other bathroom windows as well.
Here's how it looks from the inside:
You can really see the effect here with the green trees above and below.
I hear you can even find this contact paper at the dollar store! (Just check to make sure you'll have enough for your project.) There are window privacy films that work as well, but the larger sizes get more expensive.
You can also use specialty spray paint -- this frosted spray paint is for windows, and this mirrored spray works as well. But they take a lot more prep and time.
This contact paper method is also easily cleaned because you don't have to baby it. I spray the contact paper with glass cleaner and wipe like the rest of the windows.
There are so many places this easy window film would be useful!
- If you have sidelights by your front door or windows in your door and want privacy, this is easier and than curtains by the door.
- You can use this film along the bottom half of bedroom or living room windows to allow light in but add some privacy.
- It's a GREAT option for renters. Just peel it off when you're done.
- This could even be used on glass shower doors, just be sure to place it on the outside of the doors.
I can whip this quick project out in ten minutes and a whole roll is just a few bucks -- one roll will cover a whole door or multiple windows easily. Have you ever tried this easy private frosted window trick?
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Got to do that in my family room side windows. They look out onto a block wall and are ugly. Frosting them will at least blue the wall.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good idea!
ReplyDeletehttp://the-renaissance-of-inner-fashion.blogspot.com
I've been an Environmental Graphic Designer for many years and have created and/or installed a TON of vinyl graphics. Add a couple drops of dish soap to your water when you spray the window. It helps keep the vinyl from sticking and you can move it around until you get it in place. Also buy a 5" squeegee vinyl application tool. It helps SO much! Trim edges off with an exacto blade and straight edge. One last tip, if you have any visible bubbles left after a day or 2 of drying, just poke the bubble(s) with a needle and gently squeegee over it. The vinyl should lay down and stick. I even use these tips when installing shelf paper in my cabinet drawers. Works like a charm!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip for the bubbles! Thank you!
DeleteI did this to our powder room window after I saw your post years ago, and it has held up perfectly! It is on the front of our house, so it really needed some privacy, but it's an octagon shape and blinds would have looked ridiculous. This was the perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteI have done this on a sidelight window at the front door. I am not a big fan of the curtains or narrow blinds that are made for these but def want my privacy. I cut the contact paper into arabesque shapes and created a really nice pattern that looked beautiful inside and out. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteJust a friendly FYI, translucent (clear) Contact paper can be found at the Dollar Tree for a buck! It was a great find when I needed to "frost" a window to obstruct the neighbors' view. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was wondering what store to go looking for this.
DeleteContact paper is sticky, correct? Do you place the sticky side down on the wet window? I am wondering if it is really easily removable since it is sticky and will adhere to the window. Has anyone tried to remove it? Thanks for any help!
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed this! You'll want to put the part that is against the backing onto the window. Yes I've removed them and they come off easily. You can use a hair dryer to soften it up if you have any issues.
DeleteI also was wondering this. So the sticky side goes on the wet window and still works right??
DeleteDoes this give you privacy at night with the light turned on?
ReplyDeleteYes! As long as you're not right up against the window it's fine.
DeleteSarah, it turned out beautiful! I did something easier, though, on our side lite on the front door, with Gallery Glass (the Plaid brand), all you need is a paper plate and a medium artist brush or a pouncer foam brush. Mine is opaque (but you can use clear, opaque, frost and various colors), with a tudor-y simple flower/stem design and a bar across the bottom, and used a pouncer to create a blurry rain effect (I also used their leading strips for outlines, it gives the stained glass effect - mine is just a very simple design yet looks refined). I also used it on our glass pantry door (no design), it only requires an occasional slightly damp cloth to wipe clean. Mine have held up for 10 years (and yep, you can just literally peel them off if you want something different). I do love the frost look you've done, but I'm the sort who MUST have access to see out the windows, blurry or not :)
ReplyDelete