Say Goodbye To Curtains: A Budget-Friendly Way To Add Privacy To Windows

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Curtains are a great way to add privacy to windows and a decorative touch to your interior. But there are a lot of things to consider before buying curtains, from the size to the style to the care instructions. On top of that, curtains can be expensive. And they can make a small room, like a bathroom, look cluttered. A much more budget-friendly way to add privacy to your windows, while still letting in light, is to skip the curtains entirely and apply clear contact paper directly to the glass.

That's right, contact paper, which you may use as an alternative to ditch traditional drawer liners or to jazz up other flat surfaces, like the inside of kitchen cabinets or a countertop. In this case, you want to pick a clear contact paper, which will give the windows a frosted look, obscuring what's inside but allowing light to filter through. To apply contact paper to a window, you'll need a measuring tape or ruler, a utility or X-Acto knife, and a wallpaper smoother or credit card to push out any air bubbles.

Contact paper is usually less expensive than static-cling window film, especially if you need a large quantity of it. It uses adhesive to attach to the glass, so it will stay in place in humid environments, like a bathroom, better than static-cling. It's easy to remove if you change your mind — any stuck-on adhesive should come off with soap and water or a product like Goo Gone Adhesive Remover Spray Gel.

Applying contact paper to a window is very similar to applying window film — you'll want to start with a clean surface, so break out the Windex and spray and wipe the glass to remove any dust and smudges. You'll also need to smooth out any air bubbles as you go, using a wallpaper smoother, if you have one, or a credit card or nylon pan scraper if you don't. The contact paper, like Con-Tact Brand Creative Clear Covering, doesn't have to be cut to the exact size of your window before you apply it. In fact, it's better for it to be slightly larger than the glass, rather than too small, which will leave gaps in the covering. Trim any excess contact paper after application using a utility knife.

While plain, clear contact paper will give you plenty of privacy, it's not your only option. A white lace pattern will block prying eyes in an elegant way, while a frosted diamond pattern will add a mid-century modern vibe. And while you certainly can cover the entire window with the contact paper, cutting it into strips to create a striped design on the window will add a bit of style. To block more light, pick a patterned or solid color paper, which will create a wallpaper-like effect on the window. Another option for adding color and privacy to a window is to pick a contact paper or window film with a stained glass pattern.