Hello!

Why do you have to have a bline on the door? It looks like it's a private space outside.

Anyway, I would advice door with a lower bar to match the windowsill height. The glazed upper part could be opaque (no blind).

I would probably would like to create a radiator cover to visualy calm down this view.

Then add shutters to the windows or perhaps a cafe-style window curtains could be an option?

Hi Studio Mood Etc, thank you for your comments.

The door has a blind on because even though it is up the side of our kitchen and private I have always hated the idea that anyone could look in at night - I like plain glazing covered. In a bungalow so bit different to a house.

We were leaning towards what you have suggested about the door so that's good to know.

Radiator cannot be covered as there is a doorway on the left of the photo (not visible) that would be partially blocked.

I would absolutely love to have shutters but our kitchen is odd. We knocked through, which has given us a great space but we have an abundance of doors and windows. French doors to garden at the back, window and door you have seen to the side, a further window to the front on the right of the photo (not shown) and a further window in the kitchen part. This last window is very shallow and can't take shutters but is in the same field of view as the big window and back door. Finding a window treatment to suit them all (functionally, aesthetically and affordably) is something that defeats me :( I don't like the blinds we have and have curtains on the French doors that don't match. But that's another problem! I refuse to be defeated though.

With so many differnt windows and doors you need to accept the inavoidable truth - one window treatment won't fit them all! ;)

You need to diversify and mix different types of treatments.

Agree that the solid bottom of the door needs to line up with the windowsill. Is it overlooked? You could always have plain glazing (more budget friendly) and then frost it with film in a style that you like. Window film is fantastic for privacy. I have used it in two houses and very cost effective. You can always remove and reapply for cleaning or if you fancied a different pattern. You may also want to consider a chrome handle instead of the white which tends to yellow with time.

Oh I do appreciate that believe me, it's just beyond me to work out what to put together so we don't have 3 or 4 types. I don't like the blinds we have (I did on one window but too much all over and not true to my preferred colours) but have got stuck working out what to go for - as the windows are non standard sizes it gets pricey.

Thank you Isla. Seems like a consensus on bringing the bar on the door down so that's a weight off my mind. Good idea on the film. It isn't overlooked - all bungalows on this side but I'm a nervous Nelly and like to know noone can see in easily at night. Window film is a good suggestion thank you, I always think how nice it looks on others houses. Thank you :)

Ps. The fence is ugly and broken but belongs to the neighbours unfortunately

You've got me thinking now Isla.....

Wondering about the wisdom of loosing the blinds in that bit of the kitchen - it is a slightly separate area shown in photo below - and using film on all on bottom section (not fanlights). There are so many diff levels here but the fanlights actually line up so could unify the side and front windows and the new door (leave gap at top of door so continuous film height all around). Would get rid of ugly view but still allow light in. Hmmmmm......

I would not add privacy film to the windows. Paint the fence a dark colour and it will fade into the background. I see what you mean about the levels and in another post you are adding a window seat over the radiator. If the levels are annoying you, continue the seat at the same level below the other window. In fact, if you have another door at the other side (assuming it’s into the side passage) why not get rid of that door and have the whole area as a seating area.

Hi Siobhan, point taken. No decisions made yet just chucking ideas out to strike off so a plan can be made, hence the varied posts. Unfortunately I cannot paint the fence as it isn't ours and would definitely bleed through. Also what you cannot see from the photos is that it has completely fallen apart at the bottom.

The door on the left side is into a shower room and WC so we do still need a door in this area. I won't be putting a bench there, ruled out as impractical as the WC door is right up against the wall so no space - one idea discounted at least. We did consider blocking up the door and moving it to where the window facing the front is but not sure if the cost is worth the gain at the moment.

Thank you for your thoughts, appreciated.

The WC door on other side, just for ref

The view from the kitchen door (please excuse mess and temporary table) showing the number of level changes in the kitchen. None of the windows have same sill height/reveal depth and all have a pretty ugly view but allow E (side) and S (front) light in. In positive news, the French doors (N) have a lovely view of garden :)

One decision that is made is that we will be extending the wall behind the dresser by 50-60cm to centralise the wall light and provide a wall to hide things behind/separate WC from kitchen a bit more.

Kim, here’s my tuppence worth……Firstly, how’s your relationship with your neighbours, have you asked them to repair the fence or even share the cost of a new fence 50/50? Although from your photos it doesn’t look too bad at all. You say you can’t paint it as the colour would bleed through but using a clear woodstain would be fine on your side. If you did want to paint it darker, might they be happy to paint their side as well? You’re planning to add 50 to 60cm of wall behind your sideboard but imho I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. It will block the view of your window when you enter the kitchen and at the moment I don’t think the door to your WC is noticeable at all. Cheaper to move your light to the centre of the wall and buy a smaller sideboard or console to fit the space. A joiner could probably cut down your three door sideboard to a two door.
I understand that having so many windows to buy curtains and blinds for will be expensive but having them all in a similar fabric, or at least complimentary colours will unify the space. Buying ready made blinds and curtains which can both be altered easily by cutting or hemming is obviously a cheaper option. I think once you have curtains and blinds up you won’t notice the heights of your window ledges so much and if you were to keep your existing door, a curtain drawn over at night would give you privacy. Alternatively a new door with an internal fitted blind might work for you.

Thanks Betty Boo. Get on well enough with neighbours, not friends but we always speak when we see them. We have asked but their house is a doer upper and he openly told us there is no money at the moment. Might resort to 50/50 suggestion. The fence really is that bad at the bottom, only being held up by the shrubs and has huge holes in it but it is what it is - that entire boundary the whole length of the garden is cream crackered.

I see what u say about extending the wall but if I move the light it is completely out of whack with the one opposite. I do have a welsh dresser that fits that space so I knight try again and consider the wall light removable.

I know none of the window dressings match but I will replace when we've sorted things.

It seems like there are many different ideas from everyone, much like I had in my head, so I'll go away and quietly think/mock-up suggestions.

That’s the problem with asking the Houzzers - you get so many different opinions which may or may not be a good thing!

Indeed Betty Boo ;) I knew it was a risk and been putting off for months but oddly I almost feel reassured that all the different opinions add up to what was already going around in my poor confused head :D

I do really appreciate everyone taking the time to provide ideas, even if I've still got a way to go yet in making a decision.

Thank you everyone

Just another thought to add to the melting pot; my Mum’s kitchen door has a very slender blind set into the glazed section, which easily pulls down and up, and the slats are easily tilted. When it’s open it’s barely noticeable. There’s a name for such a blind which escapes me at the moment! There are very fine cords left and right which it runs on, again, hardly noticeable. Maybe you could have something like that for the door and windows as well, at least on that door/window combination.

Integral blinds, built in blinds ………each manufacturer has their own name for them.

Final thoughts, would something like the attached work with a solid bottom panel at the right height. Why not approach your neighbour to ask to paint the fence? It would transform the space. Would you consider replacing the cupboard for a comfy armchair.

Best of luck with all the improvements.

Thank you Sarah, Siobhan & Angie for taking time to comment. Great ideas that are much appreciated. I agree the fence would look a lot better painted but as it is held up by no more than luck and has huge holes in the bottom I'm reluctant to do it at the moment. I would love to replace the cupboard with an easy chair, it's something I've always wanted in the kitchen. I'm looking at the contents of the cupboard to see if I can live without the storage - I think I probably can. Not sure what style of chair would work but I'll certainly have a look.

All the thoughts and ideas from everyone have been very helpful and it has made us sit down, think hard about what we need and how we live, and prioritise from there. We are almost set with a plan for the area we're happy with :) I'll post pics when it's done but may be a while yet