Skip The Blinds: Joanna Gaines Has A Better Idea To Add Privacy To Bathroom Windows

Besides the bedroom, bathrooms are one of the top spaces in a home where privacy is a must-have. And while blinds and curtains are the most obvious way to achieve that, sometimes you simply don't want excess materials hanging in your bathroom. Maybe they feel too bulky on a small window, or they don't go with your overall aesthetic. Or, if the window sits near a toilet, the thought of germs can be too much to bear. Whatever the reason, window blinds and curtains in the bathroom aren't for everyone. 

Luckily, HGTV star Joanna Gaines came up with a clever alternative during an episode of her renovation series "Mini Reni": She installed a stick-on film on the window pane that mimicked reeded glass. Not only does it provide privacy — as well as being easier to clean than dust-attracting blinds and curtains — it also looks incredibly sleek and stylish.

Apart from the fact that it offers a more elevated finish, another major benefit of this design choice is it still allows plenty of natural light to shine through, making it ideal for small bathrooms, where light is important to make the space feel more open. Another reason it will make your small bathroom seem bigger is because reeded film doesn't take up any physical space, which will ultimately keep the room feeling less crowded. Of course, if you don't want to use a film like Gaines did, you could also replace your current window panes with actual reeded glass — though that would come at a higher cost.

Originally popular in the art nouveau period of the late 1800s, and then again in the 1920s and 1930s, reeded glass — also known as ribbed or fluted glass — is a beloved art deco glass design trend that's making a big comeback in 2025. And it's predicted to continue into 2026, too. These days, the artistic glass texture is especially popular in bathrooms as a way to add texture, depth, and character. But it doesn't have to be exclusive to windows. You could use the trendy glass to upgrade your bathroom shower. Or you could even replace your vanity doors or medicine cabinet fronts with ones featuring reeded glass.

Of course, there are other ways to get more privacy in your bathroom without the use of curtains, blinds, or reeded glass. Another popular option is to install shutters — an especially fitting choice if your decor style leans more toward the farmhouse or cottagecore aesthetic. This route also allows you to control and adjust the amount of privacy and natural light your bathroom gets throughout the day. 

Other alternatives that are similar to Joanna Gaines' reeded glass film technique include opting for a frosted glass window, which can also be purchased as a stick-on film. Or, for even more character, you could use beautiful stained glass to add privacy to your bathroom, which would be a lovely choice if you're looking for ways to bring more color into the space.