We all love our privacy at home and would rather our neighbors can’t look in. Unfortunately, many homes leave you feeling like you’re on show, with neighbors and passers-by easily able to see inside. This can leave you feeling uncomfortable in your own home, which should be a respite from the grind of the world outside. Therefore, it’s important you know how to improve your home’s privacy so you can truly relax in your home.
Our guide below has a range of affordable ways to improve your home’s privacy, no matter the size of your home or your budget.
Tint your windows
Window tinting is a simple way to keep prying eyes from looking in. While you could use windows or blinds to cover your windows to the same effect, tinted windows are just that bit better. They won’t obstruct your view of the outside world. Therefore, you don’t need to sacrifice any view for the sake of your privacy.
And tinted windows do even more too. They can minimize the UV light that enters your home, reducing fading to your furniture and floors. Additionally, they reduce solar gain so your home will heat up less on hot sunny days. This can be a great passive way to save on power bills as you’ll need to use cooling systems less often.
You can tint your windows yourself with a special film or call in the professionals to install tinted windows.
Also read here to know pros and cons of home window tinting.
Erect fencing
Putting up fencing is another simple way to improve your home’s privacy, as well as gain additional benefits. For instance, a fence is essential for child- and pet-proofing your backyard. It can also provide a vertical structure for climbing plants.
And there are lots of different styles of fences to choose from to suit the aesthetic and needs of your home.
- Chain link: These fences are cheap and durable and favoured in areas with tropical storms and cyclones. They also provide good frames for climbing frames. While on their own they provide little privacy, you can durable outdoor fabrics or plants to them to make their look more appealing and to improve your home’s privacy.
- Wood: Wood is a popular choice for fences, lasting many years and weathering well. With no gaps in your fence, your yard will be completely private with no means for anyone to easily peer in.
- Steel panels: While steel fencing panels are slightly more expensive than wood, they last far longer and need less maintenance. They also come in a wide range of colors. Like wood, they also completely obstruct any outside view into your yard.
Plant trees and shrubs
Create a natural and green fence around your home by planting trees and shrubs. For instance, you can use hedges to create a boundary line and then add additional trees and shrubs closer to the property to obscure views through windows. Remember to choose plants that are not deciduous, otherwise come the colder months, the leaves will fall and your home will be exposed.
A green yard often adds value to a home as well as improving its privacy. Choose plants that are easy to care for and suit the area so that you don’t have to spend hours each weekend tending your garden.
You can also show off your personality with the plants you choose. Try different colors and species to create a space you love.
Add blinds or curtains
While tinted windows give you more freedom when it comes to maintaining a view outside, there’s certainly still a place in your home for windows and curtains. They can help decorate a room, while also allowing you some control over the light that enters as well as improving the space’s privacy.
For instance, a light gauzy curtain can make a space feel more relaxed and intimate, allowing soft light and breeze to come through, but obscuring the view in. You can also try using blinds to filter light just the way you want and make it harder to see in by angling the blinds a certain way.
Use privacy panels and trellises
Along with your fence and carefully planned garden, you can also add privacy panels and trellises to block off views into your home too. These panels and trellises come in a variety of styles and designs to suit any home. They can also be useful for growing plants against and creating dedicated spaces in and around your yard, for instance, marking an outdoor entertaining area.
Conclusion
If your concerned about privacy at home, use these simple tips to improve both the look of your home and its privacy. Think about what would best suit your home and what meets your privacy needs.
