Adding Wallpaper for Windows to Stop the Peep Show
I’m about to share something a little embarrassing with the whole world. I confess to you that I regularly walk in my bathroom naked in front of the only window in our master bathroom!
Why would I do such a silly thing? Why? Well, I’m not intentionally trying to flash the world, that is for sure! I do it because I don’t want to cover that window that provides light and a view of our wooded backyard. I like to watch hawks, deer and other wildlife as they cross behind our yard. During the spring, summer, and fall I have plenty of privacy from the trees. BUT, in the winter that privacy is nearly nonexistent.
Now, I’m not insinuating that my neighbors are the peeping tom types, but I still feel a little self-conscious getting out of the shower at night in a brightly lit bathroom.Dear Mr. & Mrs. Jones (not their real names), if I inadvertently flashed you on one such night, I’m sorry.
When Wallpaper for Windows contacted me to ask if I wanted to try their product, I immediately said, YES! The name of their company is slightly misleading, because they sell a wide range of privacy films and decor clings for more than just your windows. You can find products in their online store for glass shower stalls, mirrors, side lights, and more.
I was instantly drawn to the decor tint line. The decor tints are sold in privacy and see-thru opaquenesses. With a variety of  11 colors to choose from, I knew I could find one to work with our blue bathroom. Ultimately I chose the sky blue see-thru film.
Why not privacy you ask? Well, here’s the thing, I didn’t want to block my view of the wildlife (and the kids playing in the yard), but I did want to keep my neighbors from thinking that I lead a wild life.
How to Install Wallpaper for Windows Window Clings
Materials:
(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)
- Razor blade
- Window cleaner
- Water and soap mixed in a spray bottle (the Shaklee Basic H2 works for both cleaning and spraying)
- Clean rag
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors (if you don’t have an X-ACTO knife)
- Wallpaper for Windows film
- Wallpaper for Windows squeegee
Difficulty: Easy to apply the film; Moderate if cutting shapes
Installing the Window Film
Step. 1 – Start by scraping any debris off your windows using the razor blade. (Confession #2 – that debris you see below is hairspray. Truth be told, I lived through the hair band 80’s and haven’t weaned myself off hairspray yet.)
Step 2. – Clean the windows thoroughly with glass cleaner and wipe dry.
Step 3. Measure each window panel. You may choose to add 1/4″ to the dimensions if you are unsure about your measuring or cutting skills.
Note: Wallpaper for Windows will cut your panels exactly to size (1 flat $6.50 fee for the all the divided lights in my window), but I chose to do it myself. It isn’t hard to cut the film, but you might want to pay to have Wallpaper for Windows cut it if you aren’t practiced at using an X-ACTO knife.
Step 4. – Transfer the measurements to the back of the window film (the white paper side.) Hold the ruler firmly on the back of the film and cut your panels.
Set the panels aside in a dry spot. Don’t let the paper backing get wet.
Wash your hands thoroughly to remove any oils or dirt. If you don’t, you could leave fingerprints or smudges between the glass and the film.
Step 5. – Wet the window with the water/soap mixture. (I used the Shaklee Basic H2 window cleaner.)
Step 6. – Peel the backing off the decor tint film.
Remember how I said not to get the backing wet, here is why:
Those little white spots of backing paper were near impossible to get off.
Step 7. – Position the window film onto your window. You can peel it off and reposition it as needed.
When the film is centered on the window, use your hand to press and smooth it onto the glass.
Step. 8 – Use the provided squeegee (also a credit card will work) to press from the center to the edges of the film. Push any air and water bubbles out to the sides.
Step 9. – Use a sharp X-ACTO blade to trim any excess film from the window.
This is how the see-thru decor tint (blue sky color) looks on the bottom half of the window. You could stop at this point and enjoy the privacy that it creates.
Here is a close up view of the blue sky tint next to the open window:
Cutting a Graphic out of the Window Film
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I’m the blogger who likes to push that “Amp Up the Creativity” button on all my projects. Which is why I wanted to cut graphic shapes out of the decor tint.
Step 1. Install the window film (see directions above). Let the window and film dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Install a fresh blade into the X-ACTO knife.
Step 2. – Use a sharp X-ACTO blade to lightly cut through the film. Use enough pressure to cut through the film but not to scratch the glass.
Step 3. – Use the X-ACTO point to pull a corner free. Peel the shape off the window.
Continue until you have completed the scene. I cut out simple graphic trees from the window film.
In the late afternoon, the sun shines through the cut-outs and projects this beautiful scene on the opposite wall.
And now I have the perfect amount of privacy and yet can still see wildlife and wild boys in the backyard.
The closer I get to the window, the more I can see out the cut outs:
However, as you can see, there is still enough of the film to protect my neighbors from seeing more than they bargained for.
If the tinted decor film isn’t your style, they have a plethora of other films to choose from!
We are building right now, and have a first story bathroom window that would really be a great place to use this product! Love your blog, am a recent subscriber
I want the window film for my basement window so that light can still come in but yet they are covered!
I love what you did with your window! The Deco Spots are really cool but I think I would go with the Frosted Glass.
I’m a follower! I love the simple branches you cut out for your window. So clever!
•I recently started following Pretty Handy Girl when I saw one of your posts linked on Pinterest. My husband and I take on lots of DIY projects, so I love reading about how you have already conquered our home improvement issues.
• I like Everleaf Etched Glass Window Film. However, my husband won’t go for it, so we would probably end up with Austin Privacy Etched Glass or Lite Frost Privacy Window Film.
•We were actually just researching privacy film this weekend for our master bedroom…We end up keeping our drapes closed all the time to avoid flashing the rec center located across the street. Right now there is a steady stream of children and families that can see into our window from the rec center and playground, and because we are on the corner, you can see into our bedroom all the way down the block!
Already a follower…. thanks for the opportunity to win!!
I may be a flasher, too! We live on a lake with no houses directly behind us, but there’s a street on the other side of the lake and houses beyond that. My master bath window faces that direction and I always wonder who may be able to see me from the street or the houses beyond … I try not to think about it! I would absolutely use this product on my master bath window (and many other possible places!) I just have to say that in browsing their site I was quite a bit turned off that one of their window designs is “pot leaves” – that is SO wrong!
I think the Avalon etched glass is so prety. And the pin-up girls is sort of tacky. But it could have been a humorous addition to your neighbor flashing bathroom window! 🙂
I am already a follower & a believer! 🙂
I love the Orleans diamond design and would use it in a heartbeat!
We could definitely use Wallpaper for Windows in our master bathroom. Much like you, we’re verging on being flashers whenever the blinds are left open over the bathtub! But the bathroom is really dark otherwise, with them closed. We need something to let us keep the light, kill the overexposure to our neighbors.
I’m a follower!
I’m not quite as brave as you are with cutting out the tree shapes afterward, so I’d probably lean toward something like their Everleaf Etched Glass Window Film (http://www.wallpaperforwindows.com/pc/Everleaf-Etched-Glass-Window-Film-Privacy-p289.htm) that has the leaves already on it for me. 🙂
I subscribe to your posts already!
Your post about flashing the neighbors described me. We too live in the woods with gorgeous trees out our bathroom window. We too have neighbors that could see into our window! And yes, I too walk around my bathroom naked. My husband thinks I do it purposely to give the neighbors a thrill….LOL!
Your idea of the privacy film is a great one. I love the lite frost on their website, that’s what I would order. I love how you cut out the trees! Awesome job! Pick me, pick me! I would love to install this on our bathroom window so I can continue walking around naked in my bathroom!!!! Shelley