With the trend for open plan living skyrocketing over the last few years, homes have become increasingly social spaces. Homes are now more likely to have zones rather than areas separated by solid walls or full doors. This is because the way we live is completely different now, compared to even a decade ago. The way we use the home is much less formal, with living, cooking and eating areas becoming much more social than they were before. There are only a few downsides to living this way, such as smell and noise pollution from different zones filling the entire open plan space. However, these are easily minimised with clever zoning designs, and additional features like heavy duty extractor fans integrated into the space.
If you live in an open plan home, another downside you may have noticed is the lack of privacy. This can be problematic in any living scenario, but especially when a group of people cohabit. Families may find it tricky to live as a unit once children become more independent or, if different family members are using different spaces at different times. Another prevalent issue is a lack of privacy from other homes, as larger windows allowing in more natural light become more popular and with more homes take up less space, making us all more likely to be overlooked.
To help you with this issue, we have some useful suggestions for increasing all different kinds of privacy your home. Here are some great ways to increase privacy within your home, without sacrificing the aesthetics or usability of the space…
In The Home
Privacy Laminate For Windows
Privacy laminate is a frosted window screen that lets the light in, but you cannot see through it. It is a useful tool if you have windows in a particularly open spot. You could also use it inside the home with partially glazed french doors or walls. Another great alternative that doesn’t ruin the view is a silver mirror type window where you can see out but people can only see their reflection when they look in.
Internal Doors
Clearly open plan living revolves around a lack of doors and walls, however, in some instances, a door in a corridor can make a huge difference with sound and noise pollution, and provide privacy for certain areas of the home. For dividing larger spaces, folding room divider doors are the perfect solution for an open plan space that needs to be both open plan, and divided at times. It enables those using the space to enjoy the best of both worlds, in a truly innovative and aesthetically pleasing way. The glass included in these Vufold Edge range interior sliding doors is ideal, as it divides the spaces without compromising the light or open feel of the room. Blinds could also be added along with this type of door to provide maximum privacy options.
Room Within A Room
In large spaces, rooms within rooms can work. What this means is, adding large shelving, screens or dividers to create a separate space within the larger space. This works particularly well with home office areas integrated into a large living space.
A Freestanding Shelf
A large, almost ceiling height freestanding shelf is a great way to divide a space in two, without completely cutting off the different areas. It also provides greater ability to play with the aesthetics and design aspects of the space, not to mention adding useful storage, something more difficult to achieve in open plan homes.
In The Garden
Although us Brits do love to think we’re the type to lean over the garden fence and have a chat, we really aren’t. And increasingly so in current times, when we commonly socialise on social media more than we do with ‘real people’. Most of us really do love our privacy, which can make things tricky when our outdoor space is overlooked. There are lots of solutions for making your garden more private such as…
- Adding a pergola which has a roof for shade and privacy, and which can be used for entertaining, as a relaxation space, and even as a yoga space if you wanted.
- Using shrubs and trees to create ‘hidden spots’.
- Using artificial hedges to increase the privacy of your hedge, or to add to a trellis to create a natural looking privacy screen.
- Create growing ‘bridges’ where you can sit underneath or walk underneath and the area below is covered by natural growing plants. Hanging fruits are a great idea for growing across a trellis or twine structure as they add interest and texture to the ‘growing bridge’.
- Invest in outdoor awning which is a bit on the expensive side, but it could be worth it to give you an extremely high-tech, easy to use shaded and private area in the garden.
Be Creatively Practical
Remember, practicalities come first when it comes to creating the ideal indoor and outdoor space for your family, but sometimes a little creativity is needed to achieve certain objectives, like flexible privacy. Think outside the box and you’re likely to come across a wealth of ideas, just like those above, to inspire you and help you create the perfect home environment.
XOXO
Debbie
