Frosted Glass Spray
A great way to allow light in but to maintain privacy at the same time is to treat windows with frosted glass spray. You can find this product in many craft shops or order online.
You will need to make sure the area you are working in is well ventilated, or to remove the window pane if possible and spray it outside.
Frosted glass spray or “etching” spray is applied in much the same way as spray paint. Shake it well, hold the can 10-12″ from surface, and spray lightly and evenly. The etched look will show up as the product dries. Once the first coat dries, apply thin, even coats if needed until you achieve the desired finish.
Another great way to use this frosted glass spray is to snugly secure a piece of lace or mesh over the glass and spray the frost product through it to make a design. On the other hand, you can create a design by sticking strips or shaped pieces of tape to different sections of the window, spraying the product on, and removing the tape once the frost has had a chance to dry.
*This also works great on mirrors and glass accessories.
Frosted Contact Paper
For a similar effect with a quicker application, try applying frosted contact paper. You can use these products on the entire window, or just the lower half if no one can see in through the top of the window. It also works great for keeping nosy passersby from peeking into garage or basement windows.
Frosted contact paper has an adhesive backing and can go up in minutes. To make handling easier, apply a light spray of window cleaner to the area first to keep the contact paper from sticking in areas you don’t want it to stick. Adjust it so it fits properly, then squeegee until all the moisture is removed from beneath the contact paper and there are no bubbles.
Mirrored Window Tint
You’ve seen this used on cars, but it works on windows in your home as well. Apply using instructions above for frosted contact paper. Some light will still filter in, and you can see out, but others can’t see in.