Depending on where you live, the amount of home privacy you are afforded can differ. For instance, if you live in quite tight terraced housing or in a block of flats, relaxing out in the courtyard or on your balcony will no doubt be visible by others that have a similar, uniform home set-up.
Yet it’s also true that in many homes, the privacy situation depends on what arrangements we make, how we approach certain sight lines from certain properties and where you consider privacy to be the most important. For instance, it might be that you’d like to sunbathe, read and have your children play in the garden without worrying about being watched or overlooked. This is why many families, if they have the room for it, might implement hedging or plant a line of trees along the perimeter of their property, particularly if that obscures the view of their neighbours.
For the most part, much of this depends on what preferences you have. But what about the areas where home privacy really does matter? In this post, we’ll discuss that, and what investments you can make to secure it.
Your bathroom/toilet areas
No matter where the bathrooms are in your household, it’s important for you to feel like you have thorough privacy in there. This is especially important in ground-level cloakrooms where the bathroom may be visible to passers-by if you don’t implement a solution. Worthwhile blinds, frosted glass and even opaque glass-like window applications can make a massive difference in keeping this space totally invisible to those from the outside. Also, make sure that you double up on these necessities where possible – because even frosted glass may not be enough when the room is backlit at night.
Your entertainment areas
When you’re entertaining friends, you don’t want to be observed by your neighbours, especially if you’re getting a bit silly and drinking or jumping in the outdoor pool and hot tub. This is where installing composite fencing can be worthwhile, as it will block sight lines from other properties. Gazebos or garden rooms can also make a massive difference, as can parasols or porch awnings. This kind of approach can help you relax in your garden in peace.
Your front door/corridor
It has become quite popular for some homes to install front doors with glazing that allow for natural light to filter through into the property. This does mean however, that people can more readily see if you’re at home, or if you’re walking around the house in your bath towel. Installing wooden doors with structural strength, as well as remodelling the areas where side windows may have been, can help ensure that no one can see into your home. A good intermediate solution is to use a dark, relatively translucent curtain that allows light in and allows you to see outside, while also preventing interior light from penetrating outside.
With this advice, you’ll see ways in which home privacy really can matter and how to go about achieving it.
[disclosure*]
