Your house should always be a safe haven whether you are actually at home or not. Whenever you go out, you should not feel worried that anyone will invade your privacy in any way. When you are home, you should also be able to enjoy your space without feeling exposed or feeling that your neighbors are looming. However, if you have concerns about your home’s privacy, you are on the right page. Read more below to learn how to improve your home’s privacy and security.
1 – Strengthen Your Locks
Replacing old windows and locks is a great place to start, especially if you’ve just moved into a new home. You never know if the last occupants have spare keys to the locks. So, if you’re moving into a new home, ensure that you talk to your landlord or realtor about this beforehand. If they restrict you from changing the locks, the smart locks may come in handy, especially for the main entryways.
2 – Use Automated Security Systems
In today’s world, technology has been incorporated into almost every critical environment in our lives. Our homes, communication, hospitals, transportation services, schools, even seniors have learned how to use technology.
Imagine worrying that you didn’t lock your front door and being able to check it from your phone. There are many pros and cons of automated home systems, but technology is available to make your home more secure, and you can also incorporate some of these helpful products into your home. These range from smart door locks to security and fire alarms, even security cameras.
As you think about installing an automated system, look for products that:
- Are non-contractual
- Can be easily monitored from your smartphone
- Are budget-friendly with essential features
- Cannot be easily hacked
- Can be easily integrated into your home
- Can send ample warnings
3 – Put Up a Home Barrier
Home barriers are easy ways to enhance your home’s privacy. If you want some natural elements in your property, a hedge will be the best option for you, and you can shape them to your liking. The downside of a hedge is that they might take longer to grow, and they may require your time to attend to them. Alternatively, you may opt for the vinyl fence whose foundation is set using concrete to create a firm baseline. Fencing can be more expensive but is often low maintenance, can be customized to your liking, and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
4 – Consider Alternative Windows Treatments
Along with fencing, your windows can offer an extra layer of privacy to your home. You might need to open your windows during the hot seasons to let in the air, but this may not be the soundest way since this might breach your privacy. You might sometimes be forced to close the curtains while the windows are open because of the wind, and that won’t be the best environment during the day.
With the availability of blinds in the market, this should be a thing of the past. If you call in professionals to fit in your windows with built-in blinds, you won’t have to worry about not accessing natural light during the day while maintaining your privacy. These blinds also have an exceptional elegance that you wouldn’t want to miss out on, and you will not need to use heavy curtains on your walls ever again.
5 – Get Guard Dogs
Most people buy dogs as loyal companions, but if you need one that can protect your home, guard dogs will come in handy. These dogs are loyal, and they have a protective instinct to alert you whenever there is an intruder, and they may also help you fight them off. It is best to get guard dogs while still puppies and train them to familiarize themselves with the home occupants and the environment.
Like human beings, dogs can grow into the role of protector, and they will become loyal to you, making it easy for them to be the best guards for your home. Most importantly, don’t forget to put up a sign outside your gate to alert your guests of the presence of guard dogs, especially at night if they are not on a leash.
6 – Use Privacy Screens or Dividers
If you live on a shared property or have a private balcony facing a public street, privacy screens and dividers might be the best solution. They offer a great visual barrier giving the much-needed privacy away from the external surroundings giving you the privacy you need. Depending on your balcony space, you will choose the right size that perfectly fits. Also, when the sun is too hot, but you need to enjoy some fresh air, they will protect you from the harsh sun.
7 – Light Up Your Landscape
Most people may argue that leaving the lights on every day will increase their utility bills, and that’s understandable. However, companies have become innovative by manufacturing motion sensor lighting that only lights up when they detect motion, whether you are in your home or away. These lights are a great necessity for your home and will ward away invaders. Place them strategically along with all entry points and dark corners of your compound.
8 – Trim Up the Plants
Your exterior is the first place everyone gets to see before they set eyes into your home. If you have large trees or shrubs in your compound, they may be a good surety to enhance your privacy. However, if they overgrow, they might be perfect spots for intruders, all for the wrong purpose.
Overgrown plants can be the biggest enemy to your privacy; thus, trimming them up is the best solution to avoid security breaches. Besides privacy, taking care of your landscape also brightens up your compound and keeps it looking beautiful.
9 – Know Your Neighbours
As you make your home more private and secure, it may actually be time to reach out to those around you. Introduce yourself to your neighbours. You do not have to become best friends with them, but a friendly relationship with the people in your neighbourhood can be mutually beneficial when it comes to security. Even though you shouldn’t broadcast that you’re not around, let your friendly neighbours know whenever you are out of town so they can be a little more watchful and return the favour for them.
Privacy and security are essential. We do not want the world to know everything that we are up to, and we want the peace of mind that we get from a secure and safe home. It is always a good idea to invest in privacy and security for your home since it is the only space where you can be free to truly be yourself.
About the Author
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
