The latest report from the FBI revealed that over 7.1 million property crimes occurred in the US in 2018. Almost three-quarters of these crimes were larceny-theft, while burglary accounted for 17%.
All in all, property crimes during that year led to an estimated $16.4 billion in losses.
With that said, many criminals tend to target victims that lack home privacy. These properties are often those that afford views of the interiors from the outside.
Passing thieves and burglars can see all the good, expensive stuff inside these homes. This can then prompt them to act right then and there and commit their crimes.
That’s why as early as now, you should do what you can to increase home privacy. We’ll share with you some of the best strategies to achieve this goal, so be sure to read on.
1. Lay Out the Window Blinds
Window blinds consist of “hard” materials, such as wood, metal, or bamboo, that form slats or vanes. When lowered, the slats create a uniform structure that covers entire windows. When completely raised, the vanes create a vertical stack at the topmost part of the window.
The vanes of window blinds are adjustable at different angles. You can tilt the slats at various angles, giving you control over the amount of visibility and light.
So, aside from helping you improve home privacy, blinds also protect you from too much UV exposure. Plus, they can add some insulation to your windows, helping you save on your energy bills.
2. Go Softer With Window Shades
Window shades, like blinds, are also whole window covers, so they can increase home privacy too. The main difference between the two is that shades use soft materials, like fabrics. There’s no “division” in the fabric, as it consists of a continuous roll of say, linen, or bamboo.
Like window blinds, you can also use window shades for every window at home. However, you can also mix and match, or alternate them, depending on your design preference.
One potential drawback to window shades is that they aren’t as adjustable like blinds. Again, this is because shades don’t have slats. However, you can raise them to a certain height to let natural light in, while still giving some privacy.
3. Invest in Window Films
Tinted home windows are among the best and easiest ways to add and maintain home privacy. You can choose from various levels of tint, but many of them provide one-way privacy. This means that they block only the view from the outside, but you can still see the outdoors from the inside.
What’s more, some high-quality window tinting products offer up to 99.9% UV protection. That makes them a more valuable addition to your home, as they can protect you from skin-damaging UV rays.
In addition, many of these films serve as either a barrier or insulation from excess heat. For instance, in the summer, they can help block outdoor heat and keep the cold from your AC inside your home. As such, having your windows tinted not only boosts privacy but can also trim your cooling bills by 30%.
4. Make Your Borders and Edges Edible
Back in 2014, a third of US households have already started growing some of their own food. Today, this practice has become even more prevalent, considering the current health situation.
So, if you’re like most people who now spend more time at home, why not do the same? By growing edible borders and edges on your property, you get to increase your home privacy. At the same time, you can consume the fruits they bear.
If you have the budget, consider setting up a hydroponic system that can also act as a home privacy fence. There’s no soil involved here, just a nutrient-rich, water-based solution. Substances like peat moss or clay pellets then provide support for the roots of the plants.
Aside from offering some level of privacy screen, hydroponic systems also look fantastic.
5. Create a Green Fence
If you’re not ready for hydroponic gardening, you can still use flora to create a green fence. Evergreens are the top choices for hedges and outdoor privacy screens. Some develop and mature really fast into dense hedges, such as the Norway Spruce.
Evergreens, as the term suggests, are always green as they keep growing leaves year-round. No matter the season, they stay green and dense, giving you privacy throughout the year.
6. Go With a Traditional Wood Privacy Fence
You can also go with a privacy wood fence, which can add about 50% more of its entire cost to the value of your home. You should consider choosing a wood species known for its decay resistance, though. Western red cedar and redwood are top choices as they can resist many types of fungi.
These wood species are also strong enough to carry extra weight from hanging plants. So, you can transform them into a “green” fence by hanging some potted plants on them. You can also install some shelves on the fence to hold smaller potted greens.
7. Add Shade and Screen With Awnings
Awnings are outdoor shade solutions that you attach to one side of your home. From there, they provide a covered area where you can relax and spend some outdoor time. However, some retractable awnings also come with extra drop screens.
The drop screens act much like window shades, except they provide more coverage. Also, the awning material itself is for outdoor use, so they resist heat and UV radiation better. In this way, they not only increase privacy but can also add another layer of heat and UV protection for your home.
Boost Home Privacy Now to Prevent Those Toms From Peeping in
There you have it, seven of the top innovative ways to increase home privacy. As you can see, there’s a lot, from shading your windows to creating edible fences. If your budget allows for it, then consider adding as many of these to your home as possible. Ready for more of the latest home improvement guides and how-tos? Be sure to check out our other blog posts then, and feel free to follow us on social media!
