Material:
The most commonly used material for sliding glass door curtains is polyester. Polyester can be used by itself, or as part of a polyester-linen or polyester-cotton blend. For a lightweight curtain, linen by itself is a good option, too, but linen curtains are generally on the expensive side due to their durability and wrinkle-resistant nature. For a dramatic, sweeping look, Virginia Tupker states that velvet will bring a quietly regal effect to any space. However, velvet can block light completely due to its thickness, so it's best for larger rooms. Chiffon and muslin are both lightweight materials that won't block light but will offer extra privacy. Moreover, lace will do the above while bringing a gorgeous antique vibe to your room.
Design and Pattern:
The patterns featured on curtains can add a lot to your room, but they could also cause clashing. Some patterns are additionally heavier visually than others, meaning they're a more solid choice for bigger sliding glass doors. Two examples of visually heavy patterns are paisley and florals. While both floral and paisley patterns can look stunning, they are often too overwhelming for smaller sliding doors. If you want your sliding glass doors to be visible through the curtains, opt for sheer curtains with a lace overlay. Alternatively, a set of curtains in one color can look just as good in a minimalist space. Kelly Behun recommends looking out for curtains with subtle texture like slim ridges, as this will help to give your door area extra dimension.
Thickness:
There are three main types of curtain thickness: sheer, opaque, and semi-opaque. Blackout curtains are another option, but they aren't as common for sliding glass doors due to them blocking all light. As mentioned above, sheer curtains will let light through but won't offer very much privacy. However, if your sliding glass doors are leading out onto a private back garden, this isn't as much of an issue. Opaque curtains offer the most amount of privacy behind blackout curtains, but they can also make a room appear closed-off unless you have them wide open. To counteract this, semi-opaque (otherwise known as semi-sheer) curtains allow more light in while offering privacy. Though shadows of objects and people are sometimes still visible, the sun shining in will create a more vibrant space.
Single or Double:
Depending on the style of your sliding glass door, you may want to consider opting for one larger curtain instead of two separate ones. The main advantage of a single curtain is that you can pull it all the way across without the gap in the center that a lot of double curtains create. A single curtain is also ideal if you have a narrow sliding glass door, as you'll be able to accommodate the smaller size better. However, some people prefer two curtains for the aesthetic, as they look nice both when pulled together and separately. Plus, we found that two separate sliding door curtains had more diversity in patterns than a single pull-across curtain.
