Living in an overcrowded area can be stressful. Your neighbors might be fantastic, and knowing they are so close can be a real comfort. For the most part, though, feeling as if other people are on top of you is unpleasant. The sad news is, more and more housing is built each day, especially in city areas. As such, it is not easy to find a house that is not surrounded on both sides. That is why we are going to look at what you can do to keep some privacy when the world seems on your doorstep.
Fences
It may seem extreme, but it is worth installing fencing to the exterior of your property. While this will not make any physical difference to your proximity to others, it will help you rest easier. Mentally, it will feel as though you are separate from the street. You may also find that people stay away a little more. If your front lawn is out in the open for anyone to walk on, they probably will. That is not going to happen if they have to open a fence to get onto your property.
How effective this option is for offering real privacy depends on how high you want your fencing. For the most part, a small, knee-high fence should be all it takes. However, a body-length fence is not a bad idea if you want to keep people away altogether.
Cover the Windows
Nothing is worse than sitting down to relax and feeling like the whole world can see what you are doing. How are you meant to unwind? If you have nosy neighbors, you can be sure they peek in whenever they walk past. It can feel like a real violation. Of course, you can install curtains. Often, though, these are not enough to keep straying eyes away. There are always gaps. Not to mention that they will be able to see your shadow moving around! Instead, it might be worth installing window shutters interior options. These offer an added sense of privacy and ensure that no one can see what’s happening when the shutters are down. You could opt for traditional fabric options, or shutters made from something like aluminum if you want a complete blackout.
Make the Most of Your Front Lawn
If you’re lucky enough to have a front lawn between you and the rest of the street, make sure to use it. An empty expanse of grass is sure to leave you feeling exposed. However, if you incorporate flowerbeds and bushes, you’ll afford yourself much more privacy. Again, this will provide a mental security that you are separate from the rest of the street. However, it will also make sure the front of your house is a little more covered. As with the fencing, it is up to you how extreme you go with this. You may want to include trees for added privacy but bear in mind that these will block your windows from light, too. It might be worth starting with flowerbeds and seeing how things go!
