How to Change the Bad View Outside Your Window
You can come out from behind the closed curtains now. These strategies let in the light while blocking the ugly
Is your home saddled with bad views? No matter how hard you work on making your interiors look good, there’s little you can do to influence the views outside. But worry not, Los Angeles real estate agent Peter Kinnaird offers practical solutions.
I live in an older, high-density neighbourhood, where my one-story house is situated about 20 feet from a two-story apartment. I keep my curtains drawn every day, because my living room window looks right into my neighbour’s property. Sick of this approach, I looked for ideas that could help mask unappealing views both inside and out. Use these strategies to enhance your home life – or to make your home more attractive to buyers.
1. Conceal by planting a living screen
Planting mature trees to block a view requires ample space, time and funds. Installing bamboo is one stylish way to conceal a building adjacent to a narrow side yard. Just make sure it’s right for you. Bamboo is often praised for its beauty and screening potential, but it can be invasive if not planted with a root barrier.
According to Anna Foleen, a representative from the American Bamboo Society, many types of bamboo can thrive in a strip of land as narrow as 8 inches, depending on adjacent ground conditions. They also can tolerate limited lighting conditions and can grow 3 to 5 feet every year.
Here are 12 reasons to love bamboo
Planting mature trees to block a view requires ample space, time and funds. Installing bamboo is one stylish way to conceal a building adjacent to a narrow side yard. Just make sure it’s right for you. Bamboo is often praised for its beauty and screening potential, but it can be invasive if not planted with a root barrier.
According to Anna Foleen, a representative from the American Bamboo Society, many types of bamboo can thrive in a strip of land as narrow as 8 inches, depending on adjacent ground conditions. They also can tolerate limited lighting conditions and can grow 3 to 5 feet every year.
Here are 12 reasons to love bamboo
2. Conceal with a fabric privacy screen
Unlike with a living screen, there’s no need to wait for a fabric screen to grow to the desired height, although screens above a certain height may require a city permit. This fabric-like privacy screen has various openings that frame desirable views of the sky and trees.
Unlike with a living screen, there’s no need to wait for a fabric screen to grow to the desired height, although screens above a certain height may require a city permit. This fabric-like privacy screen has various openings that frame desirable views of the sky and trees.
3. Create a focal point with plants or sculptural art
The designer here chose not to completely conceal the neighbour’s home beyond the fence. Instead, he or she installed this framed mobile of hanging plants and stones to take centre stage. Now the neighbour’s home disappears into the background.
Find out which plants are suited for Indian homes
The designer here chose not to completely conceal the neighbour’s home beyond the fence. Instead, he or she installed this framed mobile of hanging plants and stones to take centre stage. Now the neighbour’s home disappears into the background.
Find out which plants are suited for Indian homes
4. Frame the view with an adjustable window treatment
Like clerestory windows, the Roman shades on these windows bring in light from above while maintaining privacy. They might also help conceal an offending feature outside.
These window treatments will change your perspective
Like clerestory windows, the Roman shades on these windows bring in light from above while maintaining privacy. They might also help conceal an offending feature outside.
These window treatments will change your perspective
5. Hang distractions in front of the window
Hanging plants and decorative fabric is a playful, budget-friendly alternative to installing formal window treatments.
Hanging plants and decorative fabric is a playful, budget-friendly alternative to installing formal window treatments.
6. Combine indoor and outdoor strategies
This designer applied frosted window film inside and placed a living privacy screen just outside this room. The treatment gives the view depth and dimension even though we have no idea what lies 5 feet beyond the window.
Read more:
13 Indian Homes With Breathtaking Views
Tell us:
Do you dislike the view outside your window? Tell us how you deal with it in the Comments below.
This designer applied frosted window film inside and placed a living privacy screen just outside this room. The treatment gives the view depth and dimension even though we have no idea what lies 5 feet beyond the window.
Read more:
13 Indian Homes With Breathtaking Views
Tell us:
Do you dislike the view outside your window? Tell us how you deal with it in the Comments below.