Six ways to use window film

[Advertisement – this is a paid partnership with Purlfrost, but all words and opinions are my own]

Like many people, we have ground-floor windows which face the street, meaning passers-by can peer straight into our living room. As part of our ongoing makeover project, I’ve spent a long time mulling over how to increase privacy without blocking out the light, and one of the potential solutions I’ve hit upon is window film.

If you haven’t come across window film before, it’s a great way to give your home a quick facelift, and it has all sorts of practical and decorative uses. It takes minutes to apply (all you need is a bit of soapy water) and it’s easy to remove again – ideal if you want to change looks in the future, or if you rent your property and can’t make any permanent alterations. It’s also super-affordable, especially as I’ve teamed up with window-film company Purlfrost to offer 10% off its range of beautiful made-to-measure designs.

Here are a few ideas on how you could incorporate window film into your own home. And just scroll down for details of that exclusive discount…

To increase privacy

As mentioned above, window film is perfect if you need to create privacy without reducing light, and it makes a great alternative to fusty net curtains or expensive wooden shutters. You could opt for a patterned or etch-effect design, but I love the clean look of plain frosted film, which is ideal for minimalist homes like mine.

Frosted film is also a fantastic option for bathrooms, and it’s so much nicer (and cheaper!) than old-fashioned textured glass. Purlfrost makes a privacy film specifically for bathrooms, which is a little more opaque than its standard version but still lets in 70% of the natural light.

To jazz up your front door

Custom-made house number or name stickers are an easy and affordable way to give your front door an instant update. They’re most often used on the toplights above traditional doorways, but they also work brilliantly on the side panels of more contemporary entranceways or even on the glass within the door itself. There are all sorts of different fonts to choose from, and you can opt to have a solid name / number on clear film, or a cut-out name / number within frosted film.

To update cupboards and cabinets 

Window film can transform the look of glass-fronted kitchen units, especially if they’re crammed with pots and pans that you’d rather not showcase. It could also be applied to glass-fronted cupboards, sideboards and even bathroom cabinets.

To obscure ugly views

If you have a window which overlooks a dingy passageway, a car park or even just a bit of garden that you’re less than proud of, you can use window film to hide the view without blocking light. I’ve seen it used to brilliant effect in city apartments which face straight onto alleyways or the neighbouring building’s wall.

To add character to children’s rooms

Window film is available with all sorts of decorative patterns, from shapes and words to more intricate designs like birds, boats and butterflies. It’s therefore a great option for adding a bit of playfulness to children’s rooms, and you can easily peel it away and replace it with a more grown-up design as the kids get older.

To reduce glare and heat

Finally, window film can be used to mitigate the effects of sunlight where needed. It’s a handy solution for home offices, where glare can play havoc with computer screens and cause headaches, and for conservatories or glass extensions that overheat in the warmer months. There are lots of options, from frosted solar film to one-way mirror film, so it’s easy to find something that works for you.

To get 10% off any product from Purlfrost’s range, just shop as normal and use the code ‘THESE4WALLS’ when prompted at the checkout. It’s valid until 31st May 2018.  

All images via Purlfrost