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Privacy at home is one of those things you often don’t think about that much until you realise that you do not have as much as it as you would like. Maybe your neighbour mentions something you were doing in the garden when you did not realise you were being watched or you look out of the window only to see a passer-by looking right in at you, and then you start to feel like you are more exposed than you would like to be, and your home does not feel as private as it really should be.
If that’s happened to you, do not worry because there are lots of things you can do to make your home feel much more private, so that it feels like it’s just for you and the family. Let’s take a look at some of them below, shall we?
Start with your windows
Because they are the most obvious place to start, right? Your windows let you see outside, so anyone who is outside can potentially see right back in at you. Luckily, it’s really easy to remedy this and get privacy when you want it.
Privacy film is really good because it allows the light to get in and you to see out, but it prevents people from being able to get a good look at what’s going on inside your home.
If that’s not your thing, then a layered window treatment setup is the next best thing. Sheer fabrics soften visibility but let the light into your home during the day, so start with them. If you want stronger coverage, then a made-to-measure roller blind that you can pull up or down depending on your needs is a good solution that will give you total privacy when you require it. You can then finish off with a good set of curtains that you can pull across when you want to feel completely secluded from the outside world.
Use landscaping to your advantage
Landscaping is a really important factor when it comes to how private your home does or does not feel. Outside plants and fencing can help to provide attractive natural screening to your home, which is often much softer in feel than big old walls can be.
If you’re looking to provide a really pretty. But really comprehensive level of screening, then tall shrubs and hedges, as well as climbing plants, are your best friends in the garden. They create visual barriers to people being able to see into your garden as well as into your home via the windows, but if you plant them properly, they will not block light completely. If you aren’t ready for a major planting project, then things like bamboo in pots can be used to screen without the long-term commitment, with the added benefits that you can move them around to provide coverage where you need it when you need it, but they will take more watering and care than plants that are actually set in the ground.
The key to success here is layering. Instead of creating just one solid barrier, you are going to want to create a combination of greenery at different heights so that it feels as natural as possible and you do not feel boxed in.
There’s not too much to be said about fencing other than choosing one that gives you enough coverage and blocks your neighbours from snooping, but without making your home and garden seem too dark or prison-like, is sensible.
Reposition furniture thoughtfully
Sometimes, a privacy issue really does just boil down to the layout you have created within your home. For example, if your sofa faces directly towards a window that looks out into the street, then you’re going to feel more exposed than you would if the sofa were positioned in such a way that you could not see the street and the street could not see you. That’s just plain old common sense, right?
So, it’s fair to say that rearranging the furniture can be much more effective than you might think. The key is to position seating areas away from direct sightlines. You can also do things like adding bookcases or open shelving units to areas near windows, so they can act as a bit of a visual buffer between you and what is outside of your home.
This might seem like a small change, but it can really make a huge difference in how comfortable a room feels.
Improve outdoor boundaries
If your garden or patio feels overlooked, then you might want to consider upgrading your fencing or adding screening panels to those areas too. Modern slatted screens are great because they offer tons more privacy, while still allowing airflow and light to pass through.
Pergolas are also a good option, if you drape them with fabric or outdoor blinds, because they will give you more coverage but still be open enough that you can enjoy your garden and the natural light you get out there. They are particularly good for patios where you want to be relaxed without feeling watched.
Of course, it is important to check local regulations if you plan to alter boundary heights.
Be mindful of lighting
Lighting plays a bigger role in privacy than many people realise. Bright interior lights at night make your home visible from outside, especially if the curtains are open. Switching to softer, warmer lighting reduces glare and makes it harder to see in. Placing lamps away from windows rather than directly beside them also helps.
Outside, motion sensor lighting can improve security without permanently flooding the area with brightness.
As you can see, there are tons of things you can do to make your home feel more private than it does right now, and many of them, such as hanging new window treatments, will not take you very much time or cost you very much money, so they are definitely worth looking into, if you do not want people looking into your home!
